The Snuggie has been on the market since 2008—but until recently, nobody officially knew whether the fleece coverlet with sleeves was a blanket or a clothing item. On February 10, Bloomberg BNA reports, the U.S. Court of International Trade settled the question once for all: The novelty item is, in fact, a blanket.
This distinction may seem inconsequential to Snuggie owners, but it’s important for Allstar Marketing, the group that sells them. As legal website LawNewz explains, blankets and clothing items are subject to different tariffs. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection had previously placed the Snuggie in the “robes or priestly vestments” category. These items face a 14.5 percent tariff, while blankets only face an 8.5 percent tariff.
via Mental Floss
