iHome plant charger HTS 8504.40.9550: why CBP called it a converter, not a fake plant
GRI 1GRI 3(b)CBP classified the iHome iPP45 — an artificial succulent that is really a multi-port USB charger — under HTS 8504.40.9550 as a static converter at a Free base rate, treating the power-conversion function, not the fake plant, as the essential character.
Two headings genuinely competed: 6702 for artificial foliage and 8504 for static converters. Since each covers only part of a composite good, CBP went to GRI 3(b) and asked which component gives essential character. The plastic succulent is decoration; the USB-C/USB-A ports plus the 30 W adapter do the actual work. Leaning on Conair Corp. v. United States, where the pump in a tabletop fountain — not the decorative rocks — controlled classification, CBP reasoned buyers acquire the iPP45 to charge devices, and the decorative shell is incidental to that use. That pushes essential character to the converter, so 6702 was set aside in favor of 8504. Anyone importing a similar 'decor plus electronics' item should expect the working electrical component to steer the code, and should confirm final classification of their own product with a licensed customs broker.
- Confirm whether your decorative item's real draw is its electronics; if so, budget for a Chapter 85 code rather than the decor heading you may have assumed.
- Check the current Section 301 / Chapter 99 (9903) status for China-origin static converters, since the base 8504 rate is Free but 301 duties can change the landed cost.
- Keep a spec sheet showing wattage, port types, and the adapter so the working component's role is documented at entry.
| Path | Code | Base duty |
|---|---|---|
| Path CBP used — static converter | 8504.40.9550 | Free |
| Alternative — artificial foliage illustrative | 6702 (e.g. 6702.10) | 8.4% (verify subheading) |
| On a $50,000 shipment, the 8504 base rate of Free means $0 base duty, versus roughly $4,200 if it fell under a 6702 artificial-plant subheading around 8.4%. Both figures are base-rate only. This assumes the goods remain subject to whatever Section 301 measure applies to China origin at entry; current Chapter 99 status and any exclusions should be verified, since a 301 add-on would sit on top of either base rate. | ||
Illustrative comparison only. The alternative heading is one contrast possibility — the exact subheading for a different product configuration would need separate analysis (other Chapter 84/85 or specific provisions may apply). Any Section 301 / Chapter 99 figure assumes the goods remain subject to that measure at the time of entry; always verify the current Chapter 99 status and any applicable exclusions.
- Assuming the decorative appearance controls the code and entering under 6702 when the electronics carry essential character.
- Overlooking Section 301 exposure — the base 8504 rate is Free, so buyers may forget China-origin add-ons still apply.
- Marketing copy that stresses 'decor' can conflict with the technical function CBP actually weighed; keep documentation consistent.
- Remove the USB ports and adapter so it is only a molded plastic succulent in a pot → Essential character shifts to the decoration and heading 6702 becomes the likely home.
- The plant is a token cap over a full charging dock or speaker with more electronics → The electrical function is even clearer; classification stays in Chapter 85, possibly a different 8504 or 8518 subheading depending on function.
- The article adds a battery so it charges devices without being plugged in → Could implicate a battery/accumulator heading (8507) or a different Chapter 85 analysis; essential character review would restart.
We see 'decor plus a gadget' hybrids more often as brands bundle chargers into lifestyle products. The lesson from H337821 is that the working electrical part usually wins the essential-character test, so importers shouldn't classify to the pretty part of the SKU.
- Spec sheet listing USB-C/USB-A wattage, port count, and the wall adapter rating
- Bill of materials showing plastic plant, foam base, wire, and the electronic assembly
- Statement of intended use and how the product is marketed
- Confirmation the base is permanently attached and the item is a single composite good
- China origin documentation plus a current Section 301 / Chapter 99 review
- Invoice wording that reflects the charging function, not only 'artificial plant'
Why did CBP classify the iHome iPP45 artificial plant under HTS 8504.40.9550 instead of heading 6702?
Because it is a composite good, CBP applied GRI 3(b) and found the USB charging ports and adapter give essential character, not the decorative succulent. Final classification of your own product should be confirmed with a licensed customs broker.
Is HTS 8504.40.9550 duty-free for a USB charger like this?
The ruling states a Free base rate for this static-converter subheading. That does not account for Section 301 or other Chapter 99 measures, which should be verified for China-origin goods at time of entry.
Do Section 301 tariffs apply to a China-origin charging station under 8504?
They may. The base rate being Free does not remove potential Section 301 exposure. Check the current 9903 provisions and any active exclusions before entry.
If my product is just a decorative artificial plant with no electronics, does H337821 apply?
Not directly. Purely decorative artificial plants have generally been classified under heading 6702, as in rulings like N339357 and L88104. This ruling turned on the working charger inside.
What makes a decor-plus-electronics item classify as the electronic part?
Under GRI 3(b), CBP looks at which component gives essential character. Where the working device drives the purchase — echoing the Conair fountain case — the electronic function usually controls the heading.
How should I document a hybrid decorative charger for entry?
Keep a spec sheet, bill of materials, and consistent invoice wording that reflects the charging function. Have a broker confirm the heading for your specific product before you rely on it.