July 21, 2021
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Wooden or plastic tableware (0% or 6.5% duty rate)?

Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash

In this article, we overview a recent judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning tariff classification of goods. The product is 'bamboo beakers' made of plant fibers (72,33% by weight) and melamine resin (25,2% by weight), the latter gives the product its shape and strength. The questions raised: how are headings 3924 and 4419 of the Combined Nomenclature to be interpreted for the classification of this product; whether GIR 3 (a) ('heading which provides the most specific description') or GIR 3 (b) ('the material which gives the goods their essential character') should be applied.