OPINION
POGUE, Judge.
Plaintiff, Rollerblade, Inc. (“Rollerblade”), challenges a decision of the United States Customs Service (“Customs”) denying Rollerblade’s protests filed in accordance with section 514 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. § 1514 (1994). At issue is the proper tariff classification under 19 U.S.C. § 1202 (1994), Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”), of Rollerblade’s imports of certain roller skating protective gear.
Rollerblade claims that the subject merchandise is classifiable under subheading 9506.70.2090, HTSUS (1996), covering:
Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics, athletics, other sports (including table-tennis) or outdoor games, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; swimming pools and wading pools; parts and accessories thereof: ... Ice skates and roller skates, including skating boots with skates attached; parts and accessories thereof: Roller skates and parts and accessories thereof: ... Other
Goods classifiable under subheading 9506.70.2090, HTSUS, were subject to duty-free entry in 1996, the year in which the subject imports were entered in the port of Minneapolis.
Customs classified the merchandise under a residual or “basket” provision, subheading 9506.99.6080, HTSUS, covering:
Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics, athletics, other sports (including table-tennis) or
outdoor games, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; swimming pools and wading pools; parts and accessories thereof: ... Other: ... Other: ... Other: ... Other
Goods classifiable under subheading 9506.99.6080, HTSUS, were subject to a general rate of duty of 4.4
% ad valorem
in 1996.
Jurisdiction is predicated on 28 U.S.C. § 1581(a)(1994); therefore, Customs’ classification is subject to
de novo
review pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2640 (1994). This action is before the Court on summary judgment motions made by Rollerblade and Defendant, the United States, pursuant to USCIT Rule 56.
It has been designated a test case pursuant to USCIT Rule 84.
Standard of Review
Under USCIT Rule 56, summary judgment is appropriate “if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” USCIT R. 56(c);
see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett,
477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986);
Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.,
477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). .
The Court must address whether Customs’ classification determination is reviewable as a matter of law. The Court analyzes a Customs classification issue in two steps: “first, [it] construe[s] the relevant classification headings; and second, [it] determine^] under which of the properly construed tariff terms the merchandise at issue falls.”
Bausch & Lomb v. United States,
148 F.3d 1363, 1365 (Fed.Cir.1998) (citing
Universal Elecs. v. United States, 112 F.8d 488, 491
(Fed.Cir.1997)). Whether the subject merchandise is properly classified is ultimately a question of law.
See id.
Summary judgment of a classification issue is therefore appropriate “when there is no genuine dispute as to the underlying factual issue of exactly what the merchandise is.”
Id.
Here, the parties agree that “[t]he imported merchandise consists of Rollerblade protective gear for in-line skating, including elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards.”
PL’s Statement Pursuant to Rule 56(i) (“PL’s Stmt.”) at ¶ 1;
see also
Def.’s Resp. to PL’s Stmt, at ¶ 3. Thus, Rollerblade and the United States simply disagree as to how the merchandise should be classified. Summary judgment of the classification issue is therefore appropriate.
Discussion
The HTSUS consists of (A) the General Notes; (B) the General Rules of Interpretation; (C) the Additional U.S. Rules of Interpretation; (D) sections I to XXII, inclusive (encompassing chapters 1 to 99, and including all section and chapter notes, article provisions, and tariff and other treatment accorded thereto); and (E) the Chemical Appendix.
General Rule of Interpretation (“GRI”) 1 for the HTSUS provides that, “for legal purposes, classification shall be determined according to the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes....” GRI 1, HTSUS;
see also Orlando Food Corp. v. United States,
140 F.3d 1437, 1440 (Fed.Cir.1998); Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, Explanatory Notes (1st ed. 1986) (“Explanatory Notes”)
at 2 (“[T]he terms of the headings and any relative Section or Chapter Notes are paramount, i.e., they are the first consideration in determining classification”). Here, the parties agree that the subject imports should be classified under heading 9506, HTSUS, but dispute the correct subheading. Therefore, the Court reviews the parties’ proposed classifications pursuant to GRI 6.
See
GRI 6, HTSUS (“For legal purposes, the classification of goods in the subheadings of a heading shall be determined according to the terms of those subheadings and any related subheading notes and,
mutatis mutandis,
to the [GRIs], on the understanding that only subheadings at the same level are comparable.”).
Rollerblade argues that the imported goods are accessories to in-line roller skates, and therefore, are correctly classified under the provision for “roller skates and parts and accessories thereof,” in subheading 9506.70.2090.
See
Pl.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 6. The United States responds that the imported goods are not accessories to roller skates, but are rather roller skating equipment.
See
Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 2. Because there is no specific provision for roller skating equipment in the HTSUS, the United States concludes that Customs’ classification of the merchandise as “other” sports equipment under the basket provision of subheading 9506.99.6080 was correct.
See id.
at 2-3;
see also
HQ 959376 (Sept. 3,1996) (modifying HQ 957396 (Dec. 12, 1994) and N.Y. 895546 (Mar. 28,1994)).
Classification of imported merchandise in a basket provision is only appropriate if there is no tariff category that covers the merchandise more specifically.
See EM Indus. v. United States,
22 CIT -, -, 999 F.Supp. 1473, 1480 (1998) (“ ‘Basket’ or residual provisions of HTSUS Headings ... are intended as a broad catch-all to encompass the classification of articles for which there is no more specifically applicable subheading.”);
E.M. Chems. v. United States,
20 CIT -, -, 923 F.Supp. 202, 206 (1996).
See also
GRI 3(a), HTSUS (“The heading which provides the most specific description shall be preferred to headings providing a more general description.”). Therefore, the Court must first address whether the imported goods are more specifically classifiable under subheading 9506.70.2090, HTSUS. The precise issue before the Court, then, is whether Rollerblade protective gear constitutes accessories to skates. If the protective gear does not constitute accessories to skates, then the Court must consider whether Customs correctly classified the subject goods under subheading 9506.99.6080, HTSUS, as “other” sports equipment.
I. Whether Rollerblade protective gear constitutes accessories to skates
As recognized by both parties, neither the HTSUS nor its legislative history defines “accessory.”
See
Pl.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 7-8; Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 4.
See also
HQ 958924 (June 20, 1996). “When a tariff term is not defined in either the HTSUS or its legislative history, the term’s correct meaning is its common meaning.”
Mita Copystar Am. v. United States,
21 F.3d 1079, 1082 (Fed.Cir.1994) (citing
Lynteq, Inc. v. United States,
976 F.2d 693, 697 (Fed.Cir.1992)). To determine the common meaning of a tariff term, “[a] court may rely upon its own understanding of terms used, and may consult standard lexicographic and scientific authorities[.]”
Id.
(citing
Brookside Veneers, Ltd. v. United States,
847 F.2d 786, 789 (Fed.Cir.1988)). “Additionally, a court may refer to the Explanatory Notes of a tariff subheading....”
Id.
(citing
Lynteq,
976 F.2d at 699).
The parties agree that the common meaning of the term “accessory” should be applied by the Court.
See
Pl.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 7; Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 4. Rollerblade provides several dictionary definitions,
see
PL’s Mot. Summ. J. at 8-9:
something extra added to help in a secondary way; specif., a) an article to complete one’s costume, as a purse, gloves, etc. b) a piece of optional equipment for convenience, comfort, etc.
Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language
4 (2d Concise Ed.1978).
l.a A thing of secondary or subordinate importance; adjunct; ■
l.b An object or device not essential in itself but adding to the beauty, convenience or effectiveness of something else.
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
7 (2d Ed.1977).
A subordinate or supplementary part, object or the like, used mainly for convenience, attractiveness, safety, etc.
Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary
11 (2d ed.1998).
Additional or subordinate thing, adjunct; article not absolutely essential that adds to the attractiveness, convenience, effectiveness, or safety of something else.
Scribner-Bantam English Dictionary
7 (1991).
l.a A subordinate or supplementary item; an adjunct.
l.b Something non-essential but desirable that contributes to an effect or result.
American Heritage Dictionary
10 (3d ed.1996).
The United States notes that Customs also interprets the term “accessory” according to its common meaning, and cites to a representative Headquarters Ruling:
We have noted that the term “accessory” is not defined in either the HTSUSA or the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System (EN). We, however, have repeatedly noted that an accessory is, in addition to being an article related to a primary article, is [sic in original] used solely or principally with that article. We have also noted that an accessory is not necessary to enable the goods with which they are used to fulfill their intended function. They are of secondary importance, not essential of themselves. They, however, must contribute to the effectiveness of the principal article (e.g., facilitate the use or handling of the principal article, widen the range of its uses, or improve its operation). We have also noted that Webster’s Dictionary defines an accessory as an object or device that is not essential in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else.
HQ 958924 (June 20, 1996) (citations omitted) (quoted in Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 5).
While Rollerblade and the United States agree that the common meaning of the term “accessory” should be used, they dis
agree as to whether the imported merchandise is properly considered accessories to roller skates. Rollerblade asserts that the protective gear is an accessory to roller skates because it is designed, tested, manufactured and marketed solely for use with in-line skates.
See
Pl.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 9. In sum, the gear has “no function independent of [its] relationship to the skates.”
Id.
at 10. Therefore, according to Rollerblade, the gear is “ ‘supplementary,’ ‘secondary,’ ‘additional,’ ‘subordinate,’ and otherwise related to in-line roller skates,” and comes within the common meaning of “accessory.”
Id.
at 9.
The United States argues that the protective gear is not an accessory to roller skates. According to the United States, Rollerblade’s interpretation of the term “accessory” fails to account for a key element of the definition: “ ‘Accessory’ is not defined as something that is merely intended to be used at the same time as something else; accessories must serve a purpose subordinate to, but also in direct relationship to the thing they ‘accessorize.’ ” Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 5-6 (emphasis in original). The United States asserts further that, although the protective gear is designed, tested, and marketed solely or principally for use at the same time as in-line skates,
see
Def.’s Resp. to Pl.’s Stmt, at ¶ ¶ 7-10, the protective gear does not relate directly to roller skates because the gear “has no effect on whether or how well the skates themselves will perform.” Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 6.
The Court agrees with the United States the common meaning of the term indicates that an accessory must relate directly to the thing accessorized. Indeed, the definitions cited by Rollerblade indicate that an accessory exists only in relation to some other thing.
In addition, the unabridged
Oxford English Dictionary
defines “accessory” as follows:
“Of things:
Coming as an accession; contributing in an additional and hence subordinate degree; additional, extra, adventitious.”
Oxford English Dictionary
74 (2d ed.1989) (emphasis added). Rollerblade itself states that the required showing under the common meaning of the term accessory is that “an article is ‘supplementary,’ or ‘secondary’ or ‘subordinate’
to some other article.”
Pl.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 10 (emphasis added).
Moreover, the language of heading 9506, HTSUS, refers to accessories either in relation to “articles and equipment” generally, as in subheading 9506.40.00 (“Articles and equipment for table-tennis, and parts or accessories
thereof’),
or to the specific article named, as in subheading 9506.70, HTSUS (“Ice skates and roller skates, including skating boots with skates attached; parts and accessories thereof’). (Emphases added.) The language of the HTSUS reflects the common understanding that accessories must be “of’ or “to” another thing.
Rollerblade has failed to convince the Court that its imported merchandise “accessorizes” roller skates in accordance with the common meaning of that term. Although Rollerblade claims that the protective gear is “otherwise related” to inline roller skates as articles or equipment,
see
Pl.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 9, Rollerblade has not succeeded in demonstratiríg a direct relationship between the protective gear and the roller skates themselves. Rollerblade’s arguments rather support the conclusion that the primary relationship is between the protective gear and the activity of roller skating. For example, Rollerblade claims that the protective gear is an accessory because it “is designed, tested and manufactured for use with inline skates,” Pl.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 9, but describes the function of the gear as that of “protecting] the wearer from skating related injury,”
id.
The marketing of the protective gear also emphasizes the benefits of the gear to one engaged in in-line skating.
See id.
at 9-10.
Rollerblade’s next claim is that “protective gear increases the safety, comfort and effectiveness of in-line roller skates and expands their range of uses.”
Id.
at 10. Its analysis, however, supports a different proposition, namely that the protective gear increases the safety, comfort and effectiveness of one engaged in the activity of in-line skating, and allows the participant to engage in expanded forms of the activity.
See, e.g., id.
at 12 (“Skaters who wear protective gear are more likely to relax and enjoy their skating experience.”);
id.
(“Protective gear also allows skaters to participate and achieve optimal performance in several new and popular sporting activities.... ”).
By way of contrast, the articles Customs has classified as accessories to roller skates include grind plates, skate lighting systems, skate totes, power straps, lace kits, wheel guards, skate maintenance kits, and skate covers.
See
Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 8 n. 4, and rulings cited therein. The United. States explains that these items were classified as accessories because “[t]he function of each of these articles is intimately and directly related to the articles called ‘roller skates,’ not simply related to the activity called ‘roller skating.’ ”
Id.
(emphasis in original).
The Court finds this distinction persuasive, particularly in light of other types of articles classified by Customs as accessories. Rollerblade and The United States contest the meaning of four Customs rulings, all of which concluded that the subject merchandise was an accessory: 1) N.Y. D88466 (Oct. 28, 1998) (finding that probe covers are an accessory to thermometers); 2) HQ 960514 (Aug. 13, 1997) (finding that cargo-restraint nets are an accessory to automobiles); 3) HQ 953896 (Feb. .2, 1994) (finding that swimming pool test kits are an accessory to swimming pools); and 4) HQ 953713 (Aug. 11, 1993) (finding that brake lever extensions are an accessory to mountain bikes).
Rollerblade cites these rulings in support of two propositions: first, that “an accessory’s relationship to the primary article can be to improve its safety,” Pl.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 11; and second, that “Customs often classifies articles as accessories even though the articles do not enhance the performance capabilities of the object to which they relate,”
id.
at 14. While both of these statements are true, both belie the weakness of Rollerblade’s argument by emphasizing the relation between the accessory and the primary article. In the four rulings cited above, each of the items classified as an “accessory” added in some way to the thing accessorized. In this case, however, the protective gear does not add anything to the skates themselves, but rather improves the in-line skating experience because of an “addition” to the in-line skater in the form of
protective gear. The skates themselves continue to function exactly as they would if the skater were not wearing the protective gear. Thus, because the primary relation between the protective gear and the skates is not between the gear and the skates themselves, the protective gear cannot be considered an accessory to roller skates.
II. Whether Customs correctly classified the subject goods under subheading 9506.99.6080, HTSUS, as “other” sports equipment
As noted above, the United States argues that the protective gear is not an accessory to roller skates, but is rather roller skating equipment.
See
Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 2. As there is no specific provision for roller skating equipment in the HTSUS, the United States concludes that Customs’ classification of the merchandise as “other” sports equipment under the basket provision of subheading 9506.99.6080 was correct.
See id.
at 2-3.
“Equipment” must also be defined in accordance with its common meaning, as it is defined by neither the HTSUS nor its legislative history. The Court thus turns first to the dictionary definition of “equipment.”
The American Heritage Dictionary
defines “equipment” as “Something with which a person, an organization, or a thing is equipped”; “equip,” in turn, is defined as “To supply with necessities such as tools or provisions.”
The American Heritage Dictionary
at 622. The definition of “equipment” includes the following synonym paragraph:
Synonyms: equipment, apparatus, gear, material, outfit, paraphernalia, rig, tackle. The central meaning shared by these nouns is “the materials needed for a purpose such as a task or a journey”: hiking equipment; laboratory apparatus; skiing gear; naval material; an explorer’s outfit;
sports paraphernalia;
a climber’s rig; fishing tackle.
Id.
(emphasis added). “Paraphernalia” is defined as “The articles used in a particular activity.”
Id.
at 1313.
It should be noted that the use of “necessities” and “needed” in these definitions is misleading, as “under the modern view ... sport equipment includes not only that which is ‘necessary’ but also that which is specially designed for use in the sport....”
Newman Importing Co. v. United States,
76 Cust.Ct. 143, 144, 415 F.Supp. 375, 376 (1976). Further, Customs has ruled that “[9506’s] scope includes the requisites needed in connection with the play of sports and athletics, that being the equipment essential to the play of the game, sport or athletic activity
or the equipment designed for use by the player in the training, practice and conduct of these sporting activities.”
NY D85049 (Dec. 14, 1998) (emphasis added). The kind of equipment that may properly be classified under 9506 plainly includes protective equipment.
See
Explanatory Note (B)(13) (“Requisites for other sports and outdoor games ..., e.g.: (13)
Protective equipment
for sports or games, e.g.,
fencing masks and breast plates, elbow and knee pads, cricket pads, shin guards.”) (emphasis added).
See also Slazenger’s Inc. v. United States,
33 Cust.Ct. 338 (1954) (articles that serve “no other purpose but to aid in a safer and more efficient game ... are within the designation of ‘equipment.’ ”); HQ 956582 (Mar. 14, 1995) (wrist protectors designed to perform a protective function are not sports clothing, but rather sports are equipment classifiable under 9506). Thus clarified, it is apparent that the protective gear at issue may properly be considered “equipment.” Rollerblade and the United States do not disagree that the protective gear at issue is specially designed for use in the conduct of the sport of in-line skating.
See
Pl.’s Stmt, at ¶¶ 7-10; Def.’s Resp. to Pl.’s Stmt, at ¶¶ 7-10.
Moreover, the protective gear at issue is not equipment that may also be considered an accessory.
See
Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. at 6 (“ ‘accessories’ may comprise a sub-set of ‘equipment’ in certain circumstances”). An example of an accessory that could be considered as falling within a sub-set of equipment is a swimming pool thermometer. In a Headquarters Ruling, Customs explained that, “The thermometers in question ... contribute to the effectiveness of the principal article by allowing the user to determine the pool or spa’s temperature before entering the water. Thus, the thermometers are accessories.” HQ 952716 (Mar. 3, 1993). Because a thermometer is designed for use by the swimmer “in the training, practice and conduct of’ swimming, it could be considered sports equipment. But because of the direct relationship between the thermometer and the principle article — the swimming pool — the thermometer is more accurately classified as an accessory. It is in this sense that an accessory may be defined as “a piece of optional equipment for convenience, comfort, etc.”
Webster’s New World Dictionary
at 4.
By way of contrast, personal flotation devices, which are also designed for use by the swimmer “in the training, practice and conduct of’ swimming, have been routinely classified as sports equipment under Heading 9506. This is justified because of the close connection of this equipment to the activity of swimming, and the lack of a connection to any principle article.
See
N.Y. E84582 (July 21, 1999) (“This swimming aid is designed solely to supply a buoyancy support to the beginning swimmer.”); HQ 961988 (Jan. 19, 1999) (modifying N.Y. 829593 (July 25, 1988)) (“The flotation devices here at issue are apparati for sports.... ”); NY D85049 (Dec. 14, 1998) (“inflatable arm sleeves ... aid children to develop basic swimming skills”). Like the personal flotation devices, the protective gear at issue is designed primarily to help the skater develop confidence while learning to skate, and protect the skater from injury while engaged in the activity of in-line skating. If the connection of the secondary article is primarily to the activity rather than to the primary article, the secondary article does not “accessorize” the primary article, but is rather equipment for the activity. Therefore, the protective gear is accurately considered roller skating equipment.
There is no specific tariff provision for roller skating equipment that may not be considered an accessory. This Court will not presume that a drafting
error was committed.
See, e.g., Brown Group Inc. v. United States,
17 CIT 919, 921 (1993) (“If the drafters of the statute erred it is up to Congress to correct the error.”). Accordingly, the Court concludes that the proper tariff classification for Rollerblade’s protective gear is 9506.99.6080, HTSUS.
Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, the Court holds that Customs correctly classified Rollerblade’s protective gear under subheading 9506.99.6080, HTSUS. Accordingly, Rollerblade’s motion for summary judgment is denied. In turn, the United States’ motion for summary judgment is granted and judgment is entered for the United States.
Judgment
This action has been duly submitted for decision, and this Court, after due deliberation, has rendered a decision herein; now, in conformity with that decision, it is hereby
ORDERED that Customs properly classified the imported merchandise at issue in this case under subheading 9506.99.6080, HTSUS; and it is further
ORDERED that Plaintiffs motion for summary judgment is denied; and it is further
ORDERED that Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is granted and final judgment is entered for Defendant.