Riddell Inc lost its challenge in the U.S. Court of International Trade over the duties charged on football pants, jerseys and girdles. The items receive a higher duty rate because theyre classified as general apparel as opposed to sports equipment, according to a report on law360.com.
In the suit first filed in 2009, Riddell had argued that the government’s classification of its items was
inappropriate because the football equipment subject to the duties are
not worn in everyday situations.
Granting the government’s cross-motion for summary judgment, CIT Judge Judith M. Barzilay ruled that Riddell’s items are used on the gridiron, the sports equipment
classification only covers nonapparel items that are protective in
nature, like padding. Those types of products are
distinct from Riddell’s football pants, jerseys and girdles, which
instead may have compartments that hold protective padding, CIT said.
Under Custom’s accepted classification, Riddell’s football pants carry either a 14.9 percent or 27.9 percent duty, the football jerseys carry a 34 percent duty and football girdles carry a 10.5 percent duty. Riddell argued that the items should be designated as sports equipment under the HTSUS – a classification that is duty-free.
The full law360.com article is here.
