Tariff Classification of Textile Fabric Combined With Plates, Sheets or Strip of Cellular Plastic, and Garments Made up of Such Fabric
This memorandum replaces CBSA Memorandum D10-14-59, issued February 9, 2011. It outlines the policy of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with respect to the tariff classification of textile fabrics that have been impregnated, coated, covered or laminated on one side with cellular plastic, and garments made up of such fabric.
39.20 Other plates, sheet, film, foil and strip, of plastics, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials.
39.21 Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics.
56.02 Felt, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated.
56.03 Nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated.
59.03 Textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics, other than those of heading 59.02.
61.13 Garments, made up of knitted or crocheted fabrics of heading 59.03, 59.06 or 59.07.
62.10 Garments, made up of fabrics of heading 56.02, 56.03, 59.03, 59.06 or 59.07.
Chapter 39, Note 2
This Chapter does not cover:
(p) Goods of Section XI (textiles and textile articles);
Section XI, Note 1
This Section does not cover:
(h) Woven, knitted or crocheted fabrics, felt or nonwovens, impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics, or articles thereof, of Chapter 39;
Chapter 56, Note 3
Headings 56.02 and 56.03 cover respectively felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics or rubber whatever the nature of these materials (compact or cellular).
Heading 56.03 also includes nonwovens in which plastics or rubber forms the bonding substance.
Headings 56.02 and 56.03 do not, however, cover:
Chapter 59, Note 2
Heading 59.03 applies to:
Chapter 39, General Notes, Plastics and Textile Combinations
Wall or ceiling coverings which comply with Note 9 to this Chapter are classified in heading 39.18. Otherwise, the classification of plastics and textile combinations is essentially governed by Note 1 (h) to Section XI, Note 3 to Chapter 56 and Note 2 to Chapter 59. The following products are also covered by this Chapter:
(d) Plates, sheets and strip of cellular plastics combined with textile fabrics (as defined in Note 1 to Chapter 59), felt or nonwovens, where the textile is present merely for reinforcing purposes.
In this respect, unfigured, unbleached, bleached or uniformly dyed textile fabrics, felt or nonwovens, when applied to one face only of these plates, sheets or strip, are regarded as serving merely for reinforcing purposes. Figured, printed or more elaborately worked textiles (e.g., by raising) and special products, such as pile fabrics, tulle and lace and textile products of heading 58.11, are regarded as having a function beyond that of mere reinforcement …
1. Note 1(h) to Section XI states that the Section excludes woven, knitted or crocheted fabrics, felt or nonwovens that are impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastic, or articles made from such material, that are classifiable in Chapter 39.
2. The General Explanatory Note to Chapter 39 states that combinations of plastic and textile are, for the most part, governed not only by Note 1(h) to Section XI, but also by Note 3 to Chapter 56 and Note 2 to Chapter 59.
3. Note 3(c) to Chapter 56 and Note 2(a)(5) to Chapter 59 exclude, from specified headings, any felts, nonwovens or textile fabrics that are combined with “plates, sheets or strip”of cellular plastic, provided the textile material is “present merely for reinforcing purposes”.
4. To determine if a cellular plastic-coated textile fabric is classified in Section XI or in Chapter 39 two elements must be considered. The first is whether the cellular plastic constitutes a plate, sheet or strip, and the second is whether the textile material is present merely for reinforcing purposes.
5. Headings 39.20 and 39.21 describe the plastic products found therein as plates, sheets, strips, film and foil.
6. Note 3(c) to Chapter 56 and Note 2(a)(5) to Chapter 59 refer only to plates, sheets and strip of cellular plastic; but not to film or foil of the same.
7. The CBSA considers plastic film and foil to have a maximum thickness of 0.010 in. (0.25 mm).
8. Therefore, a cellular plastic coating may only be considered to be a plate, sheet or strip if the importer is able to demonstrate that it is thicker than 0.25 mm.
9. This condition need only be considered if the cellular plastic layer in a cellular plastic-coated fabric is a plate, sheet or strip.
10. By the ordinary meaning of the word “merely”, the CBSA considers the phrase “merely for reinforcing purposes” to mean that the fabric has no other purpose than to support or reinforce the structural integrity of the plate, sheet or strip of cellular plastic.
11. Therefore, if the textile material has any purpose beyond merely reinforcing the structural integrity of the cellular plastic, a textile coated with a plate, sheet or strip of cellular plastic remains classified in Chapter 56 or Chapter 59, as appropriate.
12. Qualities indicating that the textile material has a purpose other than reinforcing the cellular plastic include strength, durability, resistance to wear, additional warmth, protection from the elements and, in a fashion or design context, drape and cut.
13. In order for the textile material in a cellular plastic-coated textile fabric to be considered to be merely for reinforcing purposes, it must be demonstrated that the textile material has no other significant function.
14. An example of a cellular plastic-coated textile fabric in which the textile material would be considered to be merely for reinforcing purposes would be a loosely woven, unbleached fabric coated with a plate, sheet or strip of cellular plastic that has been embossed with a pattern that imitates a leather grain.
15. A textile coated with a film of cellular plastic is classified in Chapter 56 or Chapter 59, as appropriate.
16. A textile coated with a plate, sheet or strip of cellular plastic is classified in Chapter 56 or Chapter 59, as appropriate, unless the textile material can be demonstrated to be merely for reinforcing purposes. If the textile material is merely for reinforcing purposes the cellular plastic-coated textile fabric is classified in Chapter 39.
17. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal decision in Helly Hansen Leisure Canada Inc. vs. the President of the Canada Border Services Agency (Appeal No. AP-2006-054, decision issued June 2, 2008) established precedent on the classification of garments made from a cellular plastic‑coated textile fabric.
18. The textile material in the garment at issue was found to have characteristics beyond merely reinforcing the structural integrity of the cellular plastic coating, and the specific goods were classified in Chapter 62.
19. The tariff classification of a garment made up from a cellular plastic-coated textile fabric is dependent upon the classification of the fabric.
20. If the cellular plastic-coated textile fabric is classified in Chapter 56 or Chapter 59, apparel made up from that fabric is classified in Chapter 61 or Chapter 62, as appropriate.
21. In all cases, if a garment is made up from a cellular plastic-coated textile fabric and the textile material faces the exterior it will be considered to have a function beyond merely reinforcing the cellular plastic coating.
22. For certainty regarding the tariff classification of a product, importers may request an advance ruling on tariff classification. Details on how to make such a request are found in CBSA Memorandum D11-11-3, Advance Rulings for Tariff Classification, which is found on the CBSA Web site at: www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications.
23. For more information, within Canada call the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064. Long distance charges will apply. Agents are available Monday to Friday (08:00 – 16:00 local time/except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada: 1-866-335-3237.
|Issuing office||Trade Programs Directorate|
|Headquarters file||HS39.20, HS39.21, HS56.02, HS56.03, HS59.03, HS6113.00, HS6210.10|
|Legislative references||Customs Tariff, Chapters 39, 56, 59, 61, 62|
|Other references||WCO Explanatory Notes on the Harmonized System;
Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology: Plastics, Resins, Rubbers, Fibers, Volume 9 (page 764), 1st Edition;
ASTM D6988 - 08 Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
|Superseded memoranda D||D10-14-59, dated February 9, 2011|