8517.18.00.10 - Videophones

This HTS category specifically classifies videophones. Videophones are devices designed for simultaneous transmission and reception of both audio and video signals, allowing for real-time visual communication between two or more parties over a network. This distinct functionality sets them apart from standard telephones that primarily handle audio transmission.

Unlike sibling categories such as multiline telephones (8517.18.00.20) which are designed for complex business communication systems, or the broader "Other" category for telephone sets (8517.18.00.50), videophones are characterized by their integrated video display and camera capabilities, enabling face-to-face interaction during calls. This category captures apparatus whose primary purpose is to facilitate this form of multimedia communication.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, classification within 8517.18.00.10 relies on confirming that the apparatus is indeed a videophone, possessing the integrated audiovisual transmission and reception capabilities as its principal function, and is not primarily classified elsewhere based on its singular technical characteristics or intended use.