Home Depot Loses Tariff Challenge, Irwin Has Better Luck

Retail giant Home Depot lost its bid for lower tariffs on imports of doorknobs, but Irwin Industrial Tool Co. had better luck in its case for lower duties on hand tools.

In a mixed day for importers of home improvement products, the Court of International Trade ruled Sept. 21 that U.S. Customs and Border Protection had correctly classified Home Depot’s doorknobs, also known as “entry locks,” but found fault with how the agency classified Irwin’s pliers.

The rulings mean that Home Depot is stuck paying 5.7 percent duties on its products, while Irwin will only have to pay $0.12 per ...