Everbest Jewelry Corp. v. United States

45 Cust. Ct. 116
United States Customs Court·Decided October 14, 1960·No. C.D. 2209·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

OliveR, Chief Judge:

This protest involves certain miniature flashlights, identified on the invoice as “ ‘Ton Lite’ Flashlights,” which were assessed with duty at the rate of 55 per centum ad valorem under the provisions of paragraph 1527(c) (2) of the Tariff Act of [117]*1171930, as modified by T.D. 53865, supplemented by T.D. 53877, which, so far as pertinent, reads as follows:

Articles valued above 20 cents per dozen pieces, designed to be worn on apparel or carried on or about or attached to the person, such as and including buckles, card cases, chains, cigar cases, cigar cutters, cigar holders, cigar lighters, cigarette eases, cigarette holders, coin holders, collar, cuff, and dress buttons, combs, match boxes, mesh bags and purses, millinery, military and hair ornaments, pins, powder cases, stamp cases, vanity eases, watch bracelets, and like articles; all the foregoing and parts thereof, finished or unfinished, composed wholly or in chief value of metal other than gold or platinum (whether or not enameled, washed, covered, or plated, including rolled gold plate), * * *:
Articles and parts (not including parts valued under 20 cents per dozen) valued not over $5 per dozen pieces or parts (* * *)_55% ad val.

Plaintiff’s principal claim, and the one upon which it completely relies, is for classification under the provision in paragraph 397 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as modified by T.D. 51802, for articles, not specially provided for, composed wholly or in chief value of base metal, and not plated with platinum, gold, or silver, or colored with gold lacquer, carrying a duty assessment of 22% per centum ad valorem.

There is also a claim in the protest for classification of the merchandise under paragraph 353, as modified by T.D. 51802, either as articles suitable for producing, rectifying, modifying, controlling, or distributing electrical energy, or as articles having as an essential feature an electrical element or device. Plaintiff’s attitude toward this alternative claim was stated by counsel, in the course of his opening statement, as follows: “* * * and quite frankly, while we have a claim under paragraph 353, our efforts will be directed toward showing that this is not the proper paragraph.” (R,. 6.) In the light of our conclusion, as developed, infra, it is unnecessary to discuss plaintiff’s alternative claim. Accordingly, the following review of the record herein will make no reference to the testimony relating thereto.

Samples, representative of the imported merchandise, are in evidence (plaintiff’s illustrative exhibits 1 and 2). They are miniature flashlights, which, at the time of importation, contained no batteries. They are about 3 inches long and approximately three-quarters of 1 inch in diameter through their tubular cross-section. On one side is a light switch. A small bulb is fitted into the reflector at one end. The other end is flat and has stamped thereon the trade name, “Top-Lite,” (illustrative exhibit 1). One of the samples (illustrative exhibit 2) has fitted on the flat end thereof, a small ring and chain, which were not on any of the imported flashlights involved herein. It is agreed between the parties that the articles in question are composed in chief value of base metal, and that they are not plated with platinum, gold, or silver, or colored with gold lacquer.

Plaintiff is an importer and distributor of various articles. Its first witness, Marvin Schwarz, is employed as director of sales, and import [118] buyer. He testified that he sold articles, such as those under consideration, at wholesale throughout the United States to chainstores and to jobbers and that he had seen them “sold occasionally by retailers to consumers in the course of visits to stores.” (R. 25-26.) Much of the witness’ testimony on direct examination related to the use, or susceptibility of use, of the merchandise in question. In this connection, he stated that the articles under consideration are “usually sold as a small flashlight for use in the home or car as a supplementary flashlight around the house,” that they “may be used by children in imitation of their father while working in the workshop, or in a garage, or something to that effect,” or that they “could be used as a novelty item.” (R. 22.) He stated further that he “never saw anyone with one in their pocket.” (R. 23.) Referring to his personal observation of the use of the instant merchandise, the witness testified as follows (R.27):

I have seen it used around people’s homes, not from any research standpoint, but personally I have seen it used in homes, in garages, in cars, for uses similar to that. X have seen it used in camps; boys in camps use them.

Comparing the use of the miniature flashlight involved herein with the larger, so-called standard flashlight, the witness stated that the article in question gives less illumination, but will get into a smaller place, than the larger flashlight. These miniature flashlights require batteries to function, but they are never merchandised therewith. In explanation thereof, the witness testified as follows (R. 22) :

There is a great danger in shipping any flashlight with batteries for the fact the batteries may not be leakproof. They might deteriorate while in the flashlight ease.

Cross-examination of the witness developed that the designation, “Top-Lite,” is the brand name owned by plaintiff and shown on plaintiff’s products. The witness identified as one of plaintiff’s products a miniature flashlight, substantially the same as the articles in question, and bearing the name, “Top-Lite,” on the flat end. The flashlight is conveniently fitted onto a cardboard merchandising tag, having the inscription, “Top-Lite — PoweR-Packed—Miniature Flashlight — for Pocket — for Purse — for Cae” (defendant’s illustrative exhibit A). Asked by the court whether the printing on the merchandising tag was sponsored by plaintiff, the witness answered, “It is our package, yes” (R. 32) and stated, further, that plaintiff sold the item for “the first two or three years” it imported miniature flashlights, but that the particular package, with the advertising matter indicative of the use of the articles is “not in current use,” although “The merchandise is still being distributed in a different package.” (R. 33.) The witness admitted that the miniature flashlights discussed in the course of his testimony (plaintiff’s illustrative exhibits [119]*1191 and 2 and defendant’s illustrative exhibit A) “could be carried in a pocket or a purse.” (R. 34.)

Following the testimony of plaintiff’s witness, Schwarz, as herein-before outlined, counsel for the respective parties entered into a stipulation that appears in the record as follows (R. 47-48) :

Me. Donohue : With the court’s permission I propose a stipulation to counsel for defendant.
I offer to stipulate with counsel for the defendant that if Mr. Marvin Mandell were called to the witness stand by plaintiff he would testify that he is an officer of plaintiff corporation, that his experience is the same as that of the previous witness, Mr. Schwartz [sic], and that if he were asked the same questions on direct and cross-examination and if he were asked the same questions by the court as were asked of the previous witness, Marvin Schwartz [sio], he would give the same answers and that the record may stand as if such testimony had been given.

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Everbest Jewelry Corp. v. United States, 45 Cust. Ct. 116 (cusc 1960).

45 Cust. Ct. 116 (Everbest Jewelry Corp. v. United States) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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