8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):      March 23, 2006
 

THE TIMBERLAND COMPANY

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

DELAWARE	1-9548	02-0312554
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

200 Domain Drive, Stratham, NH	03885
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(603) 772-9500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EX-99.1 PRESS RELEASE DATED MARCH 23, 2006

Item 8.01.      Other Events.

     On March 23, 2006, The Timberland Company issued a press release announcing its preliminary estimated impact from the European Commission’s decision to impose provisional duties on leather upper footwear originating from China and Vietnam and imported into European Member States. These provisional duties are expected to be effective for a six-month period, will begin on April 7, 2006, and will be phased in over a period of five months, beginning at a rate of about 4% and ending at a 19.4% rate for China sourced footwear and at a 16.8% rate for Vietnam sourced footwear. These duties may become definitive on or before October 7, 2006. While The Timberland Company is advancing strategies in response to this action, including potential price increases on footwear products sold in Europe, its preliminary estimate is that the implementation of such duties will likely reduce its 2006 operating profits in the range of $10 million.

     A copy of our press release dated March 23, 2006 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.      Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (d)      Exhibits.

     The Timberland Company hereby furnishes as Exhibit 99.1 to this report its press release dated March 23, 2006 announcing its preliminary estimated impact from the European Commission’s decision to impose provisional duties on leather upper footwear originating from China and Vietnam and imported into European Member States.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release of The Timberland Company dated March 23, 2006 announcing its preliminary estimated impact from the European Commission’s decision to impose provisional duties on leather upper footwear originating from China and Vietnam and imported into European Member States.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	THE TIMBERLAND COMPANY
Date: March 23, 2006	By:	/s/ John Crimmins
		Name:	John Crimmins
		Title:	Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

P r e s s R e l e a s e

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT:	Susan Ostrow
		Director, Investor Relations
		(603) 773-1212

TIMBERLAND PROVIDES PRELIMINARY ESTIMATED IMPACT OF PROVISIONAL DUTIES IMPOSED BY EUROPEAN COMMISSION

STRATHAM, NH, March 23, 2006 – The Timberland Company (NYSE: TBL) today provided its preliminary estimated impact from the European Commission’s decision to impose provisional duties on leather upper footwear originating from China and Vietnam and imported into European Member States. These provisional duties are expected to be effective for a six-month period, will begin on April 7, 2006, and will be phased in over a period of five months, beginning at a rate of about 4% and ending at a 19.4% rate for China sourced footwear and at a 16.8% rate for Vietnam sourced footwear. These duties may become definitive on or before October 7, 2006. While Timberland is advancing strategies in response to this action, including potential price increases on footwear products sold in Europe, its preliminary estimate is that the implementation of such duties will likely reduce its 2006 operating profits in the range of $10 million.

Jeffrey B. Swartz, Timberland’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated “As a premium footwear provider, we do not believe that our footwear is being imported into Europe at below market costs, and we believe that the imposition of percentage duties disproportionately impacts premium branded footwear companies, like Timberland, which have not caused injury to Europe-based footwear manufacturers. While we are disappointed by the decision of the European Commission, we will continue to work with the Commission to put forth our position with a view to finding a constructive solution.”

Timberland (NYSE: TBL) is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland markets products under the Timberland^®, Timberland PRO^®, SmartWool^®, Timberland Boot Company™ and

Miôn™ brands, all of which offer quality workmanship and detailing and are built to withstand the elements of nature. The Company’s products can be found in leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland^® retail stores throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East. More information about Timberland is available in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding The Timberland Company’s future financial results, are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are not guarantees of future financial performance or expected benefits. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could cause the results of The Timberland Company to be materially different from any future results or expected benefits expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to: (i) the Company’s ability to successfully market and sell its products in a highly competitive industry and in view of changing consumer trends, consumer acceptance of products and other factors affecting retail market conditions; (ii) the Company’s ability to profitably sell certain footwear products in European Member States in light of anti-dumping duties and measures imposed by the European Commission with respect to leather footwear imported from China and Vietnam; (iii) Timberland’s ability to procure a majority of its products from independent manufacturers; (iv) changes in foreign exchange rates; (v) Timberland’s ability to obtain adequate materials at competitive prices; and (vi) other factors, including those detailed from time to time in The Timberland Company’s filings made with the SEC. The Timberland Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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