Free-Standing 'Shampoo Cabinet' Subject to AD/CV Duties Because Plumbing Required
A free-standing wooden cabinet used as a shampoo station by hair stylists and barbers that requires attachment to plumbing is subject to antidumping and countervailing duties on wooden cabinets and vanities from China, the Commerce Department said in a recent scope ruling. However, a similar model that is not attached to plumbing is not covered by the AD/CVD, the agency said.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
Both cabinets, imported by AYC, were of wooden construction, and sold only with hardware for assembling the stations, rather than for attaching them to a wall. The “styling station” had a drawer and appliance holders for use by barbers and stylists. The “shampoo cabinet” required access to water to be functional, though if not attached it could be moved with the hair professional, Commerce said.
The scope of the AD/CVD orders on wooden cabinets and vanities covers cabinets that are for permanent installation, “including floor mounted, wall mounted, ceiling hung or by attachment of plumbing.” Because the shampoo cabinet requires water to be functional, “we find that this product requires permanent installation by attachment of plumbing,” Commerce said. “Thus, it falls within the scope of the Orders as a cabinet for permanent installation.”
On the other hand, the “styling station” is “freestanding furniture, which is not permanently installed to the floor, wall, or ceiling or by attachment of plumbing,” Commerce said.