8401 40 000 0 — Nuclear reactors; fuel elements (cartridges), non-irradiated, for nuclear reactors; machinery and apparatus for isotopic separation: parts of nuclear reactors

8401 Nuclear reactors; fuel elements (foils), unirradiated, for nuclear reactors; equipment and devices for isotope separation: 8401 10 nuclear reactors 8401 20 - equipment and devices for isotope separation, parts 8401 30 of them - fuel elements (foils), unirradiated 8401 40 - parts of nuclear reactors

The term “nuclear reactor” generally encompasses all devices and installations located within the space formed by biological protection, including, where appropriate, protection itself. It also covers any other devices and installations located outside this zone, provided that they form an integral part of the devices within the protection. A nuclear reactor generally contains:

(A) The core, consisting of: (1) The fuel (fissile or fertile). It may be dissolved or dispersed in the moderator (homogeneous reactor) or concentrated in fuel elements (heterogeneous reactors). (2) The moderator and, where necessary, a neutron reflector (e.g., beryllium, graphite, water, heavy water, certain hydrocarbons such as diphenyl or terphenyls). (3) The coolant. This serves to remove the heat generated in the reactor (carbon dioxide, helium, water, heavy water, molten sodium or bismuth, a molten sodium-potassium mixture, molten salts, certain hydrocarbons, etc., are frequently used for this purpose). However, the moderator also frequently acts as the coolant. (4) The control rods, made of a material with a high neutron absorption capacity (e.g., boron, cadmium, hafnium) or of alloys and compounds of such materials. (B) The mechanical structure (e.g., the reactor vessel, the fuel element loading device, piping and tubing for the coolant, valves, control rod drives, etc.). (C) Measuring, control and automatic regulating instruments (e.g., neutron sources, ionisation chambers, thermocouples, television cameras, pressure gauges or flow meters). (D) Thermal and biological shielding (of steel, concrete, lead, etc.). A nuclear installation may also use certain other equipment, apparatus and plant, which may even be installed within the area bounded by the biological shield. They are not regarded as thereby having the essential character of parts of a nuclear reactor and must therefore be classified in their appropriate headings (see Exclusions (c) to (ij) below). The nature, characteristics and method of assembly of the components of nuclear reactors may, however, vary considerably. The various types of reactor are generally distinguished by: (1) The energy of the neutrons sustaining the chain reaction (e.g., thermal (or slow), intermediate or fast neutron reactors). (2) The distribution of the fissile material in the reactor core (e.g., homogeneous reactors and heterogeneous reactors). (3) Their field of application (e.g., research reactors, isotope-producing reactors, materials testing reactors, those for converting fertile material into fissile material (converters or breeders), propulsion reactors, reactors producing thermal or electrical power). (4) The nature of the materials used or the operating principle (e.g., natural uranium, enriched uranium, uranium-thorium, sodium-graphite, gas-graphite, pressurised water, pressurised heavy water, boiling water, pool reactors, organic moderated reactors). In general, the size of a reactor is calculated so that it is at least "critical", so that any loss of neutrons to the outside cannot interrupt the chain reaction. However, for research purposes "sub-critical"

reactors requiring additional neutron sources. Such reactors also fall in this heading. Parts of nuclear reactors presented separately are, in general, classified in accordance with the provisions of Note 2 to Section XVI. Control rods and the associated mechanisms, neutron sources for initiating the fission reaction in the reactor, reactor vessels, grids for inserting fuel elements (cartridges) and pressurisers for pressurised water reactors are therefore classified in this Section as parts of nuclear reactors. However, the following articles are not regarded as parts of nuclear reactors: (a) graphite blocks (heading 3801 or 6815), beryllium (heading 8112) or beryllium oxide (heading 6914); (b) metal tubes and pipes of special shape or simply profiled but not otherwise worked, presented unassembled, whether or not identifiable as for the construction of a nuclear reactor (Section XV); (c) steam boilers and other vapour generating boilers (heading 8402); (d) heat exchangers (heading 8404 or 8419); (e) water vapour turbines and other vapour turbines (heading 8406); (f) pumps (heading 8413 or 8414); (g) blowers (heading 8414); (h) apparatus for extracting minerals from water (generally heading 8419 or 8421); (ij) fuel element charging or discharging machines and overhead travelling cranes (generally heading 8426); (k) remote-controlled mechanical manipulators for radioactive products (heading 8428). (II) ISOTOPE SEPARATION MACHINERY AND APPARATUS This category covers all mechanical, thermal or electrical apparatus and plant specially designed for enriching a chemical element or a compound of that element in one of its isotopes or for the complete separation of the constituent isotopes. The most important of these are plants for the production of heavy water (deuterium oxide) or for the enrichment of uranium in uranium-235. Apparatus and plant for the production of heavy water by enrichment of natural water include: (1) A special fractional distillation and rectification plant comprising a very large number of trays arranged in clusters and in cascade, which makes use of the small difference between the boiling points of heavy water and ordinary water to obtain head fractions progressively poorer in heavy water and tail fractions progressively richer in it. (2) A plant which, by low-temperature fractional distillation of liquid hydrogen, separates deuterium, which may then be burnt to obtain heavy water. (3) Apparatus for the production of heavy water or deuterium compounds based on isotopic exchange, sometimes in the presence of a catalytic agent, e.g., by the "dual temperature" method or by contact between various liquid or gaseous hydrogen-containing phases.

(4) Electrolytic cells designed to produce heavy water by electrolysis of water, and a device connecting electrolysis with isotope exchange between the resulting hydrogen and the starting water. The following devices are often used to enrich uranium with uranium-235: (1) Special centrifuges, called "gas centrifuges" (according to uranium hexafluoride), whose cylindrical rotor ("basket"), made of plastics of silt and steel, rotates at a very high speed. The inner surfaces of these centrifuges are specially treated to increase resistance to the corrosion effects of uranium hexafluoride. In practice, a very large number of blocks are used, located cascadingly and working in a countercurrent or flow. (2) Separators of uranium isotopes (gas diffusion type). In these devices, the gaseous uranium hexafluoride is separated into two fractions with slightly different uranium content -235, compared to the starting gas, by diffusion through a porous membrane ("barrier") inside the diffusion chamber (which may have a tubular shape). By repeatedly repeating this operation, it is possible to obtain pure uranium-235 hexafluoride. (3) A "nozzle" device (the Becker process) in which a stream of gas (uranium hexafluoride and helium or hydrogen) is injected at high speed into a nozzle having a greater curvature. The "removing" tube at the outlet separates the enriched fraction of uranium hexafluoride. This heading also covers calutrons for electromagnetic separation. Subject to the general provisions relating to the classification of parts (see the general provisions of section XVI), parts of machinery in this category are also covered. (iii) Thermal fuel elements (boilers) not irradiated for nuclear reactors consist of fissile or reproducing material enclosed in a casing usually made of base metal (e.g., zirconium, aluminum, magnesium, corrosion-resistant steel) equipped with special manipulation devices. The fuel elements with fissile material can contain natural uranium either in the metal state or in the form of compounds (oxides, carbides, nitrides, etc.), uranium enriched with uranium -235 or uranium -233 or plutonium, either in the metal state or in the form of compounds, or thorium enriched with plutonium. Reproducing heat-generating elements (for example, with thorium or depleted uran) placed on the periphery of the reactor core to reflect neutrons, after absorption of a certain amount of which become fissile. The heat-generating elements are of various types, for example: (1) Combustible metals or their alloys in the form of rods or tubes in a shell of base metal. This metal shell can be ribbed to facilitate heat transfer, and the element can be equipped with a support and head for ease of installation in the reactor and removal from the reactor.

(2) Dispersions of fissile fuel in graphite in the form of rods, plates or spheres, embedded in graphite or consisting of other types of dispersed materials and cermets. They are finned or fitted with the same devices as the fuel elements (cartridges) described in paragraph 1 above. (3) An assembly of: (i) plates stacked one upon another, consisting of fissile or fertile fuel (in the form of a metal or ceramic compound), clad on the outside with inert metal; (ii) tubes of inert metal filled with pellets of uranium dioxide or carbide; or (iii) concentric tubes of fissile material enclosed in a sheath of inert metal. All these types of fuel elements (cartridges) are fitted with supports which also serve to space them apart from one another and to hold them in place. They often have an outer casing. All the components forming such fuel elements (cartridges) are mounted on a common base and fixed to a common head. Such components presented separately (e.g., a stainless steel sheath filled with nuclear fuel and sealed) are classified as parts of fuel elements (cartridges). Microspheres of nuclear fuel coated with layers of carbon or silicon carbide, intended for incorporation in spherical or prismatic fuel elements (cartridges), as well as spent (irradiated) fuel elements (cartridges), fall in heading 2844. The heading further excludes: (a) furnaces for separating irradiated nuclear fuel by pyrometallurgical processes (heading 8417 or 8514, as the case may be); (b) separators for irradiated fuel or process effluents working on the principle of fractional distillation (other than those for the production of heavy water) (heading 8419); (c) air filters specially designed for removing radioactive dust (of the physical or electrostatic type); activated carbon purifiers for retaining radioactive iodine; ion-exchange apparatus for separating radioactive elements, including electrodialysis apparatus; separators for irradiated fuel or process effluents working on the ion-exchange principle or chemical separators (heading 8421).

Notes

Machine translation. The original is the Russian text of the EAEU tariff, and customs goes by it; this translation is for understanding only and has no legal force.

1. This group does not include:

(a) millstones, grinding stones or other articles of Chapter 68;

(b) equipment or devices (e.g. pumps) of ceramic materials and ceramic parts of machinery or devices of any material (Chapter 69);

(c) laboratory glassware (heading 7017); equipment, devices or other articles for technical purposes or parts thereof of glass (heading 7019 or 7020);

(d) articles of heading 7321 or 7322 or similar articles of other base metals (Chapters 74 to 76 or 78 to 81);

(e) vacuum cleaners of heading 8508;

(f) electromechanical household appliances of heading 8509; digital cameras of heading 8525;

(g) radiators for articles of Section XVII; or

(h) manual mechanical brushes for floor cleaning, without engine (heading 9603).

2. Subject to the provisions of Note 3 to Section XVI and Note 11 to this Chapter, a machine or device which meets the description in one or more of headings 8401 to 8424 or heading 8486 and at the same time the description in one or more headings 8425 to 8480 is included in the relevant heading of the first series of headings or in heading 8486 as the case may be, and not in the second series.

(A) However, heading 8419 does not cover:

(i) seed germination equipment, incubators or brooders (heading 8436);

(ii) machinery for wetting grains (heading 8437);

(iii) diffusion apparatus for the extraction of sugary juice (heading 8438);

(iv) equipment for the heat treatment of textile yarn, textile materials or finished textile articles (heading 8451); or

machining equipment, assemblies or laboratory equipment in which temperature change, even if necessary, is an auxiliary process.

(B) Heading 8422 does not cover:

(i) sewing machines for sewing bags or similar packagings (heading 8452); or

(ii) office equipment of heading 8472.

(C) Heading 8424 does not cover:

(i) paint-blasting printing presses (heading 8443); or

(ii) water jet cutting machines (heading 8456).

3. A machine for processing any material which corresponds to the description of heading 8456 and simultaneously to the description of heading 8457 to 8461, 8464 or 8465 is classified in heading 8456.

4. Heading 8457 covers only metalworking machines other than lathes (including multipurpose lathes) which may perform different types of machining operations by:

(a) the automatic replacement of tools from a tool store or similar device in accordance with the processing program(s);

(b) the automatic application simultaneously or sequentially of different processing heads operating at a fixed workpiece (assembly single-position machines); or

(c) automatic movement of the workpiece to various processing heads (multi-position machines).

5. For the purposes of heading 8462, the term “longitudinal cutting line” for flat products means a process line consisting of a winder, a correct device, a longitudinal cutting device and a winder. The term “cross-cutting line” for flat products means a process line consisting of a unwinder, a correct device and a cutting device.

6. (A) For the purposes of heading 8471, the term “computers” means machines capable of:

(i) store the processing program or programs and at least the information currently necessary to execute the program;

(ii) be freely reprogrammable according to user requirements;

(iii) perform user-defined arithmetic calculations; and

(iv) perform, without human intervention, a processing program requiring the computer to modify its actions by making logical decisions during processing.

(B) Computing machines can be made in the form of systems consisting of a different number of individual blocks.

(C) Subject to the provisions of Notes (D) and (E) below, a block shall be treated as part of a computing system if it satisfies all of the following conditions:

(i) exclusively or principally used in a computing system;

(ii) is capable of being connected to the central processing unit either directly or through one or more other units; and

(iii) is capable of receiving or presenting information in such form (codes or signals) as may be used by the system.

Separately presented computer units are classified in heading 8471.

However, keyboards, X-Y-coordinate input devices and disk storage units which satisfy the conditions laid down in Notes (B) (ii) and (B) (iii) above are in all cases to be regarded as blocks of heading 8471.

(D) Heading 8471 does not cover the following devices, presented separately, even if they meet all the conditions of Note 6(C) above:

(i) printers, copiers, facsimile machines, combined or not;

(ii) apparatus for receiving or transmitting voice, images or other data, including apparatus for providing communications over a wired or wireless communication network (for example, on a local or wide area network);

(iii) loudspeakers and microphones;

(iv) television cameras, digital cameras and video recording cameras;

(v) monitors and projectors not combined with television reception equipment.

(E) Machines containing or working in conjunction with a computer and performing specific functions other than information processing are classified in the headings according to their specific functions or, if this is not possible, in the residual headings.

7. Heading 8482, inter alia, covers polished steel balls whose maximum and minimum diameter does not differ from the nominal diameter by more than 1% or by more than 0.05 mm, whichever is smaller. Other steel balls are classified in heading 7326.

8. A machine which is used for more than one purpose shall be classified as if its primary purpose were the only one.

Subject to the provisions of Note 2 to this Chapter and Note 3 to Section XVI, a machine whose primary purpose is not described in any heading or a machine in which none of its functions is primary is classified in heading 8479, unless the context otherwise provides. Heading 8479 also includes machinery for the manufacture of ropes or ropes (e.g. knitting machines) from metal wire, textile yarn or other materials or from a combination of such materials.

9. For the purposes of heading 8470, the term “pocket” applies only to devices not exceeding 170 x 100 x 45 mm.

10. For the purposes of heading 8485, the term additive manufacturing (also referred to as 3D printing) means the formation of physical objects based on a digital model by successively adding and layering, sealing and curing a material (e.g., metal, plastics or ceramics).

Subject to the provisions of Note 1 to Section XVI and Note 1 to Chapter 84, machines as described in heading 8485 are classified in that heading and no other heading of the Nomenclature.

11. (A) Notes 12(a) and 12(b) to Chapter 85 also apply to the terms “semiconductor devices” and “electronic integrated circuits”, respectively, as used in this note and in heading 8486. However, in this note and in heading 8486, the term "semiconductor devices" also applies to photosensitive semiconductor devices and LEDs.

(B) In this note and in heading 8486, the term “plane display panel production” covers the fabrication of a flat panel of substrates. It does not cover the production of glass or the installation of printed circuit boards or other electronic components on flat panels. The term "flat display panel" does not apply to cathode ray tube technology.

(C) Heading 8486 also includes machinery and apparatus used exclusively or principally for:

(i) producing or eliminating defects in masks and patterns;

assemblies of semiconductor devices or electronic integrated circuits;

(iii) lifting, manipulating, loading or unloading boules, plates, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits and flat display panels.

(D) Subject to the provisions of Note 1 to Section XVI and Note 1 to Chapter 84, machinery meeting the description in heading 8486 is classified in this heading and in no other heading of the Nomenclature.

Subheading notes

English text as published in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2021/1832 (Combined Nomenclature). The EAEU tariff and the EU nomenclature copy these notes from the same convention. For a Russian declaration the binding version is the Russian one: Annex to Decision No 80 of the EEC Council of 14 September 2021.

1. For the purposes of subheading 8465 20, the term ‘machining centres’ applies only to machine-tools for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials, which can carry out different types of machining operations by automatic tool change from a magazine or the like in conformity with a machining programme.

2. For the purposes of subheading 8471 49, the term ‘systems’ means automatic data-processing machines whose units satisfy the conditions laid down in note 6(C) to Chapter 84 and which comprise at least a central processing unit, one input unit (for example, a keyboard or a scanner), and one output unit (for example, a visual display unit or a printer).

3. For the purposes of subheading 8481 20, the expression ‘valves for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions’ means valves which are used specifically in the transmission of ‘fluid power’ in a hydraulic or pneumatic system, where the energy source is supplied in the form of pressurized fluids (liquid or gas). These valves may be of any type (for example, pressure-reducing type, check type). Subheading 8481 20 takes precedence over all other subheadings of heading 8481.

4. Subheading 8482 40 applies only to bearings with cylindrical rollers of a uniform diameter not exceeding 5 mm and having a length which is at least three times the diameter. The ends of the rollers may be rounded.

Additional notes

Machine translation. The original is the Russian text of the EAEU tariff, and customs goes by it; this translation is for understanding only and has no legal force.

1. For the purposes of subheadings 8407 10 and 8409 10, the term “aviation engines” shall apply only to engines intended for assembly with an air or rotor.

2. В подсубпозицию 8471 70 300 0 также включаются устройства считывания компакт-дисков, являющиеся запоминающими устройствами вычислительных машин, которые предназначены для считывания сигналов с CD-ROM, аудиокомпакт-дисков и фотокомпакт-дисков и снабжены разъемом для наушников, регулятором громкости или кнопкой пуск/стоп.

Additional notes of the Eurasian Economic Union

Machine translation. The original is the Russian text of the EAEU tariff, and customs goes by it; this translation is for understanding only and has no legal force.

1. For the purposes of subheading 8482 10 900 1, the term “gross mass” means the total mass of the goods with all kinds of packaging materials and packagings ensuring their safety during storage and transport. The total weight of the goods does not include the mass of packaging materials or containers that are clearly suitable for reuse.

2. For the purposes of subheading 8415 81 001 0, the term “special production facilities” means premises in which the maintenance of precise values of temperature and humidity is due to the operational requirements of the equipment installed therein, such as machines, computers, switching equipment, surgical equipment, etc., or to the operations performed therein.

3. In subheadings 8427 20 190 1, 8427 90 000 1 and 8436 80 100 1, the date of manufacture shall be determined on the basis of the technical documentation of the manufacturer (technical passport, instruction manual) and the manufacturer's plate, which shall be fixed in a conspicuous, easily accessible place of the machinery and shall not be replaced during operation. If the manufacturer's technical documentation and the manufacturer's plate contain conflicting information about the date of manufacture or there is no information about the manufacturer of the equipment on the date of manufacture, then this technique is considered a technique, since the release of which more than 3 years have passed.

If the manufacturer's information indicates only the year of manufacture, then the date of manufacture of the equipment is considered 1 July of the year of manufacture; if the month and year of manufacture are indicated, the date of manufacture is the 15th day of the month specified in the manufacturer's information.

4. For the purpose of classification of goods in subheading 8482 10 900 1 in the states, whose territories constitute the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union, when applying the term "French border of the country of importation", the country of import is understood as the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union.

5. For the purpose of subheading 8407 10 000 3, the term “take-off power” means the maximum power developed by an aircraft piston engine.

“Take-off power” is specified in the technical documentation and (or) accompanying documents, measured in kilowatts or horsepower (1 kW corresponds to 1.35962 hp).

6. В подсубпозиции 8421 99 000 5 термин «элементы мембранные рулонного типа для фильтрования или очистки жидкостей» означает устройства цилиндрической формы, состоящие из:

- internal plastic perforated tube on which spirally wound membrane bags;

- drainage material located between membrane bags and glued to them on three sides.

The membrane package consists of a twice folded band of membrane containing an extruded grid inside.

At the ends of the membrane roll-type element, fixing discs and sealing cuffs can be installed.

7. For the purposes of subheading 8415 20 000 2, the term “in a single enclosure” refers to air conditioning units (air conditioners) in which all the elements are combined in a single enclosure, frame or platform.

The term "in a single housing" also applies to air conditioning units (air conditioners) in which the refrigeration compressor, which is part of a given air conditioning unit (air conditioner), is located separately, that is, not combined with the rest of the elements in one housing, on one frame or on one platform.