Associated Consumers v. United States

5 Ct. Int'l Trade 148, 565 F. Supp. 1044, 1983 Ct. Intl. Trade LEXIS 2594, 5 C.I.T. 148
CourtUnited States Court of International Trade
DecidedApril 13, 1983
DocketCourt No. 81-9-01162
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 5 Ct. Int'l Trade 148 (Associated Consumers v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Court of International Trade primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Associated Consumers v. United States, 5 Ct. Int'l Trade 148, 565 F. Supp. 1044, 1983 Ct. Intl. Trade LEXIS 2594, 5 C.I.T. 148 (cit 1983).

Opinion

Watson, Judge:

This case involves the classification of imported merchandise described as “Vise Grips” on the invoice. The merchandise was classified as wrenches under item 648.97 1 of the Tariff Schedules of the United States (TSUS) and assessed with duty at the rate of 10.8 percent ad valorem. Plaintiff contends that the merchandise should be classified as pliers under item 648.85 TSUS,2 or alternatively, as clamps under Item 649.37 TSUS.3 Under either one of plaintiffs claimed classifications, the items would be entitled to duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences.

The Court finds that the plaintiff has failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the classification by the Customs Service was erroneous and that its own claim is correct.

In this case it is necessary to ascertain the common meanings of the tariff provisions in question and analyze this tool in their light. E. Green and Son v. United States, 59 CCPA 31, C.A.P. 1032, 450 F.2d 1396 (1971). In making its determination of common meaning, the Court has reviewed the case law, examined dictionaries 4 and evaluated the testimony of the witnesses. See: Schott Optical Glass, Inc. v. United States, 67 CCPA 32, C.A.D. 1239, 612 F.2d 1283 (1979). The crucial identifying characteristic of a wrench, which emerges from these sources, is its special ability to fixedly grasp an object and allow the user to exert a twisting or wrenching force. See: Albert F. Maurer Co. v. United States, 43 CCPA 90, C.A.D. 613 (1956); United States v. Ritter Carlton Co., 30 CCPA 208, C.A.D. 234 (1943).

On the other hand, pliers are tools of a more generally manipulative nature, not specifically designed to exert a twisting force. They

[160]*160At the trial, plaintiff introduced eight exhibits and called one witness. One joint exhibit was introduced by the parties. Defendant called no witnesses nor solely introduced any exhibits.1

Plaintiffs witness, Mr. Saul Cohen, was at the time of the trial Senior Vice-President of Merchandising for plaintiff corporation. His testimony indicated that he has been employed by plaintiff for twenty eight (28) years. According to the witness, approximately eighty (80) percent of plaintiffs business is generated by sales to schools and other educational systems (R-7).

Mr. Cohen’s testimony and actual demonstration indicated that the merchandise known as “Teaching Typewriter” (Exhibit 1A) and the related programmed cards (Exhibit IB) were designed for educational purposes. According to the witness, the machine functions by introducing a programmed card containing a mathematical, spelling or other educational type problem. The merchandise user then presses one of the typewriter keys that completes a word or answers a mathematical problem. If the user engages the wrong key the programmed card is immobilized and new problems are not presented to the user. If the user selects a correct answer the programmed card advances presenting a new problem. This process is repeated each time the user gives a correct answer.

Subsequently, the witness described and illustrated the “Touch to Learn” merchandise (Exhibit 2A) and its related cassette (Exhibit 2B).

According to the witness, “Touch to Learn” operates in the same manner as the “Teaching Typewriter”, except that it uses programmed cassettes (such as those in Exhibit 2B) instead of programmed cards. Basically, when the user engages the machine it presents a problem. If the correct response is made, the cassette automatically moves to the next problem. If the wrong answer is made, the cassette will not present a subsequent problem. The problems on the cassette are in different combinations to teach the child, for example, that two and one equal three, etc. The sequence of problems increases in degree of difficulty as the cassette progresses. The principles behind the “Touch to Learn” and the “Teaching Typewriter” are the same (R. 15-16).

Plaintiffs Exhibit 3A (“Touch and Match”) is primarily intended to teach young children reading readiness. Normally a child’s awareness starts by identifying objects. Most of the programs for “Touch and Match” are on a very young level, and consist of [161]*161matching objects, shapes, etc. Programmed cards (such as those in Exhibit 3B) are inserted into the machine thereby presenting the child with a problem to identify what objects or shapes are complementary. When the child gives a correct answer the machine makes a noise and a bulb lights (R. 17-18). Blank program cards are available for teachers, parents and others so that they may insert their own programs for children who may have a particular learning problem.

Mr. Cohen’s testimony further indicates that the imported machines could not function without a programmed card or cassette and that the particular programs were progressive in degree of learning difficulty (R. 19-21). Plaintiff sells programmed cards other than those included at the initial purchase for the “Teaching Typewriter” and the “Touch to Learn”.

The witness stated that the articles in question were merchandised through a school catalog and through a force of sales representatives who conducted workshops in schools and with teachers to demonstrate the merchandise. Additionally, Childcraft attempted to sell these articles through its stores, a consumer catalog, and by public distribution through retail stores (R. 22-23).

The witness also identified Plaintiffs Exhibit 5 as Childcraft’s 1971 Christmas Catalogue, “Toys That Teach”, and testified that not all items advertised in the catalog were intended for play or amusement (R. 24). The “Touch to Learn” and “Teaching Typewriter” articles were advertised in the catalog.

The witness testified that he has observed children using the imported merchandise in schools and that the children were enjoying themselves.

In his closing testimony the witness stated that it is necessary to interest or amuse children to a certain extent, if possible, to motivate them to use any article.

A review of the evidence of record, including trial testimony and illustrative samples, indicates that defendant should have judgment in this action.

Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate by the evidence of record that the imported merchandise is chiefly used for educational purposes and not chiefly used for the amusement of children. B. Shackman & Co. v. United States, 67 Cust. Ct. 372, C.D. 4300 (1971); Globemaster Midwest, Inc. v. United States, 67 Cust. Ct. 539, R.D. 11758, 337 F. Supp. 465 (1971). Plaintiff has also failed to overcome the presumption of correctness which favors customs’ classification. Atlantic Aluminum & Metal Distribution, Inc. v. United States, 47 CCPA 88, C.A.D. 735 (1960); J. E. Bernard Co. v. United States, 81 Cust. Ct. 60, C.D. 4766 (1978).

Under TSUS, a “toy” for the purposes of the tariff schedules is any article chiefly used for the amusement of children or adults (schedule 7, part 5, subpart E, headnote 2 (1971)).

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Bluebook (online)
5 Ct. Int'l Trade 148, 565 F. Supp. 1044, 1983 Ct. Intl. Trade LEXIS 2594, 5 C.I.T. 148, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/associated-consumers-v-united-states-cit-1983.