Import classification of specialised rubber blankets: treated as Open General Licence goods, not conveyor belts requiring a specific licence.

Imported specialised endless rubber blankets for rotary textile printing were treated as rubber blankets under the Open General Licence entry. Trade and technical usage, the manufacturer's brochure, and the textile research association's description showed that the goods were distinct from conveyor belts. The policy wording did not support a restrictive reading limiting the entry to non-endless blankets, and the policy itself recognised a difference between conveyor belts and rubber blankets with specialised use. On that basis, the goods were covered by the Open General Licence entry and did not require a specific licence.

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Issues: Whether the imported rubber blankets used in rotary textile printing were covered by the Open General Licence entry or were to be treated as conveyor belts requiring a specific licence.

Analysis: The goods were examined in the light of trade and technical usage, the manufacturer's brochure, and the textile research association's description. These materials showed that the article was a specialised endless rubber blanket designed for textile printing, distinct from a conveyor belt. The wording of the policy entry did not support the restrictive contention that only non-endless blankets were covered, and the policy itself recognised the difference between conveyor belts and rubber blankets with specialised use.

Conclusion: The imported goods were rubber blankets covered by the Open General Licence entry and did not require a specific licence.

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