Skip to main content

United States Of America (Customs Court Judgment)

Volume 995: debated on Tuesday 5 February 1980

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has studied the implications of the recent judgment of the United States Customs Court in the Ferris Wheel case which could cause all garments made in the United Kingdom with epaulettes, simulated buttonholes, pockets and pocket flaps, belts and belt segments, to be regarded in future as decorated or ornamental products, to attract higher rates of import duty; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of the judgment of the United States Customs Court in the Ferris Wheel case and of the consequent proposals by the United States Customs Service to increase rates of duty on certain classes of garment. The judgment of the Customs Court is subject to appeal and a final ruling is expected early in 1981.The Government are concerned at the possible implications of the proposed increases in duty and both they and the European Commission have made their views known to the United States authorities. The United States Customs Service has agreed not to implement its proposals until the result of the appeal is known.