‘ [7] The EU is a contracting party to the International Convention on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System, generally known as “the Harmonised System”. The Convention requires that the tariffs and nomenclatures of contracting states conform to the Harmonised System, and all contracting states therefore use the headings and sub-headings of the Harmonised System. The system is administered by the World Customs Organisation in Brussels, which publishes explanatory notes to the Harmonised System known as “HSENs”. [8] At Community level, the amount of customs duties on goods imported from outside the EU is determined on the basis of the Combined Nomenclature (“CN”) established by art 1 of Council reg 2658/87 and art 20.3 of reg 2913/92. The CN is re-issued annually. It comprises three elements: (a) the nomenclature of the Harmonised System; (b) Community sub-divisions to that nomenclature; and (c) the preliminary provisions, additional section or chapter notes and footnotes relating to CN sub-headings. [9] The CN uses an eight-digit numerical system to identify a product, the first six digits of which are those of the Harmonised System, while the two following digits identify the CN sub-headings, of which there are about ten thousand. Where there is no Community sub-heading, these two digits are “00”. There may also be ninth and tenth digits which identify further Community (TARIC) sub-headings, of which there about eighteen thousand. [10] Apart from the HSENs to which I have already referred, the European Commission also issues Explanatory Notes of its own to the CN which are known as “CNENs”. [11] The Court of Justice of the European Communities (“the ECJ”) has repeatedly stated that the decisive criterion for the tariff classification of goods must be sought in their objective characteristics and properties as defined in the wording of the relevant heading of the CN and of the notes to the sections or chapters of the CN. The two categories of Explanatory Notes, that is to say the HSENs and the CNENs, are an important aid to the interpretation of the scope of the various tariff headings, but do not themselves have legally binding force. The content of the Explanatory Notes must therefore be compatible with the provisions of the CN, and cannot alter the meaning of those provisions. See, for example,Case C-495/03 Intermodal Transports BV v Staatssecretaris van Financien[2005] ECR I-8151 , at paras 47 and 48. [12] Part 1 of the CN contains at s 1A the General Rules for the Interpretation of the CN. These General Rules are known as “GIRs”. Unlike the Explanatory Notes, they have the force of law (see [ Vtech Electronics (UK) plc v Customs & Excise Commissioners[2003] EWHC 59 (Ch) ] at para 16). [13] So far as material, the GIRs provide as follows: “Classification of goods in the Combined Nomenclature shall be governed by the following principles: 1. The titles of sections, chapters and sub-chapters are provided for ease of reference only; for legal purposes, classification shall be determined according to the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes and, provided such headings or notes do not otherwise require, according to the following provisions. 2(a) . . . (b) Any reference in a heading to a material or substance shall be taken to include a reference to mixtures or combinations of that material or substance with other materials or substances. Any reference to goods of a given material or substance shall be taken to include a reference to goods consisting wholly or partly of such material or substance. The classification of goods consisting of more than one material or substance shall be according to the principles of rule 3. 3. When, by application of rule 2(b) or for any other reason, goods are prima facie classifiable under two or more headings, classification shall be effected as follows: (a) the heading which provides the most specific description shall be preferred to headings providing a more general description. However, when two or more headings each refer to part only of the materials or substances contained in mixed or composite goods or to part only of the items in a set put up for retail sale, those headings are to be regarded as equally specific in relation to those goods, even if one of them gives a more complete or precise description of the goods; (b) mixtures, composite goods consisting of different materials or made up of different components, and goods put up in sets for retail sale, which cannot be classified by reference to 3(a), shall be classified as if they consisted of the material or component which gives them their essential character, in so far as this criterion is applicable; (c) when goods cannot be classified by reference to 3(a) or (b), they shall be classified under the heading which occurs last in numerical order among those which equally merit consideration. 4. Goods which cannot be classified in accordance with the above rules shall be classified under the heading appropriate to the goods to which they are most akin. 5. . . . 6. For legal purposes, the classification of goods in the sub-headings of a heading shall be determined according to the terms of those subheadings and any related subheading notes and, mutatis mutandis, to the above rules, on the understanding that only subheadings at the same level are comparable. For the purposes of this rule, the relative section and chapter notes also apply, unless the context requires otherwise.” [14] It can be seen that the General Rules quoted above provide a hierarchical set of principles, and if the correct classification can be ascertained at a given stage it is unnecessary to proceed any further.’
“(1) General content and arrangement of the Chapter This Chapter covers a wide variety of instruments and apparatus which are, as a rule, characterised by their high finish and high precision…. The Chapter includes in particular: …. (C) Instruments and appliances for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses, or for related purposes”
“This heading covers a very wide range of instruments and appliances which, in the vast majority of cases, are used only in professional practice (e.g. by doctors, surgeons, dentists, veterinary surgeons, midwives), either to make a diagnosis, to prevent or treat an illness or to operate, etc. …. The heading does not cover : …. (r) Medical or surgical furniture, including that for veterinary use (operating tables, examination tables, hospital beds), dentists’ chairs not incorporating dental appliances of this heading, etc. ( heading 94.02 ).”
“(R) Lamps which are specially designed for diagnostic, probing, irradiation etc purposes. Torches, such as those in the shape of a pen are excluded (heading 85.13) as are other lamps which are not clearly identifiable as being for medical or surgical use (heading 94.05) .”
“The following also fall in this heading: (i) Dental drill engines with swivel arm, whether on a separate base, for wall-mounting, or for fitting to the equipment described under (ii) below. (ii) Complete dental equipment on its base (stationary or mobile unit). The main usual features are a frame carrying a compressor, a transformer, a control panel and other electrical apparatus; the following are also often mounted on the unit: a swivel arm drill, spittoon and mouth rinser, electric heater, hot air insufflator, spary, cautery instrument tray, diffused lighting, shadowless lamp, fan, diathermic apparatus, X-ray apparatus, etc. Some types of this equipment are designed to operate by the use of abrasive materials (usually aluminium oxide) instead of with a drill; the abrasives are usually projected against the teeth by compressed gas (e.g. carbon dioxide). (iii) Spittoon mouth rinsers whether on a base, stand or on swivel arms. They are usually combined with warm water supply and warm water syringe. (iv) Polymerisation devices (light or heat), amalgamators, ultrasonic scalers, electrosurgery equipment, etc. (v) Devices for dental treatment which operate by the use of lasers. (vi) Dentists’ chairs incorporating dental equipment or any other dental appliances classifiable in this heading. The heading does not , however, include dentists’ chairs not incorporating dental appliances of this heading; these dentists’ chairs fall in heading 94.02 whether or not fitted with equipment such as lighting fittings. It should, however, be noted that the heading excludes certain items of dental equipment mentioned in paragraph (ii) above, when they are presented separately; these are classified in their own respective headings, for example, compressors ( heading 84.14 ), X-ray, etc., apparatus ( heading 90.22 ). Heading 90.22 also covers X-ray, etc., apparatus designed for a separate stand, or for wall-mounting in dental surgeries. Separately presented diathermy apparatus is, however, classified with the electro-medical apparatus of this heading (see Part (IV) below).”
“This heading covers in particular: …. (3) Specialised lamps , e.g. darkroom lamps; machine lamps (presented separately); photographic studio lamps; inspection lamps ( other than those of heading 85.12 ); non-flashing beacons for aerodromes; shop window lamps; electric garlands (including those fitted with fancy lamps for carnival or entertainment purposes or for decorating Christmas trees). …. This heading also excludes : …. (l) Medical diagnostic, probing, irradiation, etc., lamps ( heading 90.18 ).”