On 31 October 2011, the US Court of International Trade ruled that Sperifilt nonwoven air filter media is classifiable in Chapter 56 as a 'nonwoven', duty-free rather than in Chapter 59 as a textile fabric for technical use. The Government has not appealed this ruling, which has now become final. The ruling brings to a close a nine-year court dispute as to the proper classification of a textile filter medium that might be used for a technical purpose but that did not meet the requirements for classification as a fabric for technical use specified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. This decision may provide significant duty savings not only to importers of nonwoven air filter media but also to importers of other textile fabrics that may be used for technical purposes. Moreover, in some instances, importers may be able to recover excess duties deposited with Customs as long as seventeen months ago.
Global Trade and Customs Journal