WALLACH, Circuit Judge.
R.T. Foods, Inc. ("R.T.") appeals the decision of the United States Court of International Trade ("CIT") denying its motion for summary judgment and granting the cross-motion for summary judgment of the United States (the "Government"). See R.T. Foods, Inc. v. United States, 887 F.Supp.2d 1351 (Ct. Int'l Trade 2012). Because the CIT properly classified R.T.'s products, this court affirms.
Between October 2007 and August 2008, R.T. made twenty-four entries of "Tempura Vegetables" and "Vegetable Bird's Nests" from Thailand ("subject merchandise"), ten through the port of Boston and fourteen through the port of Long Beach. "The parties do not dispute the identity of the subject merchandise: frozen tempurabattered vegetable mixtures sold under the names of `Vegetable Bird's Nests' and `Tempura Vegetables.'" Id. at 1353. The "Vegetable Bird's Nests" product consists of julienne-cut carrots, onion, and kale, which are "mixed together, dipped in tempura batter, deep fried, flash frozen," and packaged for retail. Id. The "Tempura Vegetables" medley consists of "three Bird's Nests, three pieces of sweet potato, three pieces of carrot, three pieces of wing bean, three pieces of long or green bean, and three pieces of eggplant"; the individual vegetables are dusted with tempura batter, deep fried, flash frozen, and packaged for retail. Id.
United States Customs and Border Protection ("Customs") classified the ten Boston entries and three of the Long Beach entries under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
In March 2009, R.T. timely filed three protests challenging Customs' classification of all twenty-four entries. After the protests were denied, R.T. commenced this action at the CIT in October 2009. The parties filed motions for summary judgment. As an initial matter, the CIT held it only had jurisdiction over three of the twenty-four entries.
Appellant filed a timely appeal. This court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(5) (2012).
This court reviews the CIT's grant of summary judgment on tariff classifications de novo. Lemans Corp. v. United States, 660 F.3d 1311, 1315 (Fed. Cir.2011); Cummins Inc. v. United States, 454 F.3d 1361, 1363 (Fed.Cir.2006). In assessing Customs' classification determinations, this court employs the two-step analysis used by the CIT: (1) ascertaining "the proper meaning of the tariff provisions, which is a question of law reviewed de novo"; and (2) determining "whether merchandise falls within a particular heading, which is a question of fact we review only for clear error." Lemans, 660 F.3d at 1315 (citing Cummins, 454 F.3d at 1363). However, "[w]here, as here, the nature of the merchandise is undisputed, the inquiry collapses into a question of law we review de novo." Id.; see R.T. Foods, 887 F.Supp.2d at 1359 ("Since there is no dispute between the parties as to the nature of the merchandise involved in this case and the only issues to be resolved are legal, the case is ripe for disposal at the summary judgment stage."). Accordingly, there are no genuine factual disputes precluding summary judgment. See Link Snacks, Inc. v. United States, 742 F.3d 962, 966 (Fed.Cir.2014).
The HTSUS is composed of classification headings, each of which has one or
The classification analysis always begins with GRI 1, which directs that "classification shall be determined according to the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes." HTSUS GRI 1 (emphasis added); see Orlando Food, 140 F.3d at 1440 ("[A] court first construes the language of the heading, and any section or chapter notes in question, to determine whether the product at issue is classifiable under the heading."). "Absent contrary legislative intent, HTSUS terms are to be construed according to their common and commercial meanings, which are presumed to be the same." Carl Zeiss, Inc. v. United States, 195 F.3d 1375, 1379 (Fed.Cir.1999) (citing Simod Am. Corp. v. United States, 872 F.2d 1572, 1576 (Fed.Cir.1989)). Pursuant to GRI 1, the possible headings are to be evaluated without reference to their subheadings, which cannot be used to expand the scope of their respective headings. Orlando Food, 140 F.3d at 1440 ("Only after determining that a product is classifiable under the heading should the court look to the subheadings to find the correct classification for the merchandise.... [W]hen determining which heading is ... more appropriate for classification, a court should compare only the language of the headings and not the language of the subheadings."); EOS of N. Am., Inc. v. United States, 911 F.Supp.2d 1311, 1327-28 (Ct. Int'l Trade 2013); BASF Corp. v. United States, 798 F.Supp.2d 1353, 1362 (Ct. Int'l Trade 2011). Finally, if the proper heading can be determined under GRI 1, the court is not to look to the subsequent GRIs. See CamelBak Prods., LLC v. United States, 649 F.3d 1361, 1364 (Fed. Cir.2011) (citing Mita Copystar Am. v. United States, 160 F.3d 710, 712 (Fed.Cir. 1998)) ("We apply GRI 1 as a substantive rule of interpretation, such that when an imported article is described in whole by a single classification heading or subheading, then that single classification applies, and the succeeding GRIs are inoperative.").
Customs classified the subject merchandise under HTSUS 2004, which provides for "Other vegetables prepared
R.T.'s proposed heading is HTSUS 2106, which provides for "Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included." This heading is a "basket provision" as indicated by the terms "not elsewhere specified or included." Int'l Bus. Machs. Corp. v. United States, 152 F.3d 1332, 1338 (Fed.Cir.1998); HTSUS 2106. "A basket provision is not a specific provision." Int'l Bus. Machs., 152 F.3d at 1338. Therefore, "[c]lassification of imported merchandise in a basket provision is only appropriate if there is no tariff category that covers the merchandise more specifically." Rollerblade, Inc. v. United States, 116 F.Supp.2d 1247, 1251 (Ct. Int'l Trade 2000), aff'd, 282 F.3d 1349 (Fed.Cir.2002). In other words, because HTSUS 2106 is a basket provision, any products that are "specified or included" in another tariff heading cannot be classified in HTSUS 2106.
The CIT found the subject merchandise fell under the eo nomine heading of HTSUS 2004, stating "[t]o prima facie fall under heading 2004 ... five criteria must be met: the products must be (1) vegetables that are (2) prepared or preserved, (3) otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, which are (4) frozen, and are (5) other than products of heading 2006." R.T. Foods, 887 F.Supp.2d at 1358. The CIT explained that both the "Vegetable Bird's Nests" and the "Tempura Vegetables" satisfied all five criteria because "they are (1) vegetables that are (2) prepared (3) in tempura batter, not in vinegar or acetic acid, which are (4) flash frozen, and are (5) not products preserved by sugar as provided for by heading 2006." Id. After finding the subject merchandise prima facie fell within HTSUS 2004, the CIT then "review[ed]... the possible subheadings" and determined "the proper subheading is 2004.90.85," which provides for "Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen, other than products of heading 2006: Other vegetables and mixtures of vegetables: Other: Other, including mixtures." Id. at 1359; HTSUS 2004.
R.T. argues the CIT erred in classifying the subject merchandise under the eo nomine provision of HTSUS 2004 because "[t]here is a significant difference between eo nomine vegetables in heading 2004 ... and RT's products which changed the identity of the vegetables to premade ready-to-eat meals." Appellant's Br. 3. In other words, according to R.T., because its manufacturing process changed the identity of the vegetables, the products were removed from the eo nomine provision. Id. at 1, 7-8; Reply 2-3 ("[T]he processing of the original vegetables ... transforms the vegetables into a `food preparation' distinct from vegetables that are simply prepared or preserved. It is that transformation — a change in identity — that precludes the use of subheading 2004.90.85."). In support, R.T. points to Note 1 to Chapter 20, which specifies that Chapter 20, under which HTSUS 2004 falls, does not cover vegetables prepared or preserved by the processes described in Chapter 7, which "covers vegetables, ... whether fresh, chilled, frozen (uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water), provisionally preserved or dried (including dehydrated, evaporated or freeze-dried)." HTSUS ch. 20, note 1; HTS ch. 7, Explanatory Note 1 (J.A. 186). To Appellant, because its products "have been cut, wrapped in tempura batter, deep-fried and frozen in a process as specified under Chapter 7, they cannot be classified under Chapter 20." Appellant's Br. at 8-9.
R.T. also argues that, because classification under heading 2004 is incorrect, the CIT erred in failing to perform a "principle use" analysis, which R.T. contends would have led the CIT to conclude that classification pursuant to R.T.'s proposed basket provision was proper. A "principle use" analysis is only used for those headings "controlled by use," as opposed to eo nomine headings. See HTSUS ARI 1(a). Such an analysis involves determining "the use which exceeds any other single use" of the merchandise in the United States. Aromont USA Inc. v. United States, 671 F.3d 1310, 1312 (Fed.Cir.2012); HTSUS ARI 1(a). Appellant argues, under such an analysis, "RT's food preparations are not principally used as vegetables. RT's consumer's expectation is to buy a premade meal that `makes even the worst cook look like a pro.'"
R.T.'s argument that its manufacturing process transformed the vegetables into pre-made ready-to-eat meals is unsupported by any evidence and is unpersuasive. This court has noted there are "several analytical tools or factors [used] to assess whether the subject articles are beyond the reach of [an] eo nomine ... provision," which include the design, use, and function of the subject articles. CamelBak Prods., 649 F.3d at 1367. R.T. has not identified a feature or component of the subject merchandise that so substantially transforms the vegetables so as to remove them from the eo nomine provision. Furthermore, R.T. has not shown how tempura battering and frying does not fall within the eo nomine provision's specification that the frozen vegetables be "prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid." Absent such a substantial transformation, it is clear the merchandise falls within the scope of heading 2004.
Additionally, there is no basis for interpreting the heading so as to exclude merchandise prepared in this manner. This court has cautioned that "we should not read a use limitation into an eo nomine provision unless the name itself inherently suggests a type of use." Kahrs Int'l, 713 F.3d at 646 ("While Kahrs' merchandise possesses some unique features related to its intended use ..., we disagree with Kahrs that these features are sufficiently significant to transform its identity ... and we see no reason to read additional limitations into the tariff schedule."). There is no such suggestion in this eo nomine provision that a use limitation is appropriate, nor is there any indication that the identity of the goods was so significantly transformed so as to remove the goods from this provision. See CamelBak Prods., 649 F.3d at 1365. Accordingly, R.T. has failed to show that its products possess a feature or component that endows them with a unique identity substantial enough to justify removal from the scope of the eo nomine provision in which they prima facie fall.
As to R.T.'s argument that classification under HTSUS 2004 is precluded by Note 1(a) to Chapter 20, R.T. is correct that HTSUS 2004 is qualified by Note 1(a), which provides: "This chapter does not cover: (a) Vegetables, fruit or nuts, prepared or preserved by the processes specified in chapter 7, 8 or 11." However, Chapters 8 and 11 do not encompass vegetables, and Chapter 7 covers various vegetables that are "fresh, chilled, frozen (uncooked
Finally, because the subject merchandise is "specially provided for" elsewhere, Int'l Bus. Machs., 152 F.3d at 1338, classification under R.T.'s proposed basket provision is inappropriate. R.T.'s proposed "principal use" analysis has no bearing on the proper classification of the subject merchandise because the products are named by an eo nomine provision.
Having determined the proper heading, this court must now determine the proper subheading for the subject merchandise. Upon independent review of HTSUS 2004's subheadings, this court finds the subject merchandise is properly classified under subheading 2004.90.85. The subheadings of HTSUS 2004 are as follows:
HTSUS 2004 (emphases added). Because the subject merchandise is not "potatoes" it is properly classified under subheading 2004.90, which encompasses "mixtures of vegetables." Furthermore, because the subject merchandise is not "antipasto" or "beans," it is properly classified under subheading 2004.90.85 for "Other: Other, including mixtures."
Accordingly, the decision of the Court of International Trade is