International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Feb. 13-17 in case they were missed.
CBP released its Feb. 15 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 51, No. 7) (here). While it does not contain any rulings, it does include recent CBP notices and Court of International Trade opinions.
Roasted sunflower seeds are classifiable as food preparations, not as seeds, the Court of International Trade said in a decision issued Feb. 15 (here). Well Luck, the importer of the seeds, argued that a tariff provision for “sunflower seeds” includes all forms, including roasted and flavored seeds for snacking. CIT found that tariff provision only applies to sunflower seeds suitable for “general use,” excluding roasted seeds because they are unsuitable for planting.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Feb. 6-12:
A company that sold Nicaraguan cheese in transit before entry cannot claim Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) benefits on the cheese because it is not the importer, even though it is still listed as importer of record on entry documentation, the Court of International Trade said in a recent decision (here).
The “Snuggie,” a popular “as-seen-on-TV” blanket with sleeves, is classifiable in the tariff schedule as a blanket, not as wearing apparel, the Court of International Trade said in a decision issued Feb.10 (here). Though capable of being worn, the Snuggie would not be worn “ordinarily” for everyday activities, CIT said. Snuggies are also marketed and sold as a blanket and used in a similar way, it said.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Jan. 30 - Feb. 5:
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Jan. 23-29:
CBP released its Feb. 1 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 51, No. 5) (here). While it does not contain any rulings, it does include recent CBP notices and Court of International Trade opinions.
CBP released its Jan. 25 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 51, No. 4) (here). While it does not contain any rulings, it does include recent CBP notices and Court of International Trade opinions. CBP issued a notice on its receipt of a "Lever-Rule" protection application from Duracell for bulk packaged and foreign retail packaged batteries intended for sale outside the U.S. Duracell would like CBP to stop importation of the products intended for sale in countries outside the U.S., known as gray market products. CBP will grant such protection, which is known as Lever-Rule protection, if it finds the parts are physically and materially different from the products intended for sale in the U.S., it said. CBP also granted "Lever-Rule" protection to Abbott Laboratories for "blood glucose testing strips" products with Abbott trademarks “FREESTYLE,” “FREESTYLE LITE,” or “DESIGN ONLY (BUTTERFLY DESIGN).” As a result, CBP will stop importation of the company's testing strips intended for sale in countries outside the U.S.