Understanding Component Classification: A Key Ruling on Aircraft Brake Disc Materials
On January 30, 2025, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a pivotal ruling that sheds light on the complexities of classifying components used in aircraft manufacturing, particularly in the context of aircraft brake discs. This case revolved around the classification of fabric segments made from polyacrylonitrile fiber fabric, which are used as upstream inputs in the production of brake discs for aircraft. The Court's decision has profound implications for how similar components should be classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), and it offers key insights into the evolving landscape of product classification in the global trade arena.