[Federal Register: September 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 178)]
[Notices]
[Page 53967-53969]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15se03-51]
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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS
Determination Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
September 10, 2003.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
ACTION: Directive to the Commissioner of Customs.
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SUMMARY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
(CITA) has determined that certain textile and apparel goods from Ghana
shall be treated as ``handloomed, handmade, or folklore articles'' and
qualify for preferential treatment under the African Growth and
Opportunity Act. Imports of eligible products from Ghana with an
appropriate visa will qualify for duty-free treatment.
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 15, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Flaaten, International Trade
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of
Commerce, (202) 782-3400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The African Growth and Opportunity Act
(Title I of the Trade and Development Act of 2000, Public Law 106-200)
(AGOA) provides preferential tariff treatment for imports of certain
textile and apparel products of beneficiary sub-Saharan African
countries, including handloomed, handmade, or folklore articles of a
beneficiary country that are certified as such by the competent
authority in the beneficiary country. In Executive Order 13191, the
President authorized CITA to consult with beneficiary sub-Saharan
African countries and to determine which, if any, particular textile
and apparel goods shall be treated as being handloomed, handmade, or
folklore articles. (66 FR 7272)
In a letter to the Commissioner of Customs dated January 18, 2001,
the
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United States Trade Representative directed Customs to require that
importers provide an appropriate export visa from a beneficiary sub-
Saharan African country to obtain preferential treatment under section
112(a) of the AGOA (66 FR 7837). The first digit of the visa number
corresponds to one of nine groupings of textile and apparel products
that are eligible for preferential tariff treatment. Grouping ``9'' is
reserved for handmade, handloomed, or folklore articles.
CITA has consulted with Ghanaian authorities, and has determined
that handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g., handloomed rugs,
scarves, place mats, and tablecloths), handmade articles made from
handloomed fabrics, and the folklore articles described in the annex to
this notice, if produced in and exported from Ghana, are eligible for
preferential tariff treatment under section 112(a) of the AGOA. In the
letter published below, CITA directs the Commissioner of Customs and
Border Protection to allow duty-free entry of such products under U.S.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 9819.11.27 if accompanied by an
appropriate AGOA visa in grouping ``9''.
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements.
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection,
Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20229.
Dear Commissioner: The Committee for the Implementation of
Textiles Agreements (CITA), pursuant to Sections 112(a) of the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (Title I of Pub. L. No. 106-200)
(AGOA) and Executive Order 13191 of January 17, 2001, has
determined, effective on September 15, 2003, that the following
articles shall be treated as ``handloomed, handmade, and folklore
articles'' under the AGOA: (a) handloomed fabrics, handloomed
articles (e.g., handloomed rugs, scarves, placemats, and
tablecloths), and hand-made articles made from handloomed fabrics,
if made in Ghana from fabric handloomed in Ghana; and (b) the
folklore articles described in the attachment to this letter if made
in Ghana. Such articles are eligible for duty-free treatment only if
entered under subheading 9819.11.27 and accompanied by a properly
completed visa for product grouping ``9'', in accordance with the
provisions of the Visa Arrangement between the Government of Ghana
and the Government of the United States Concerning Textile and
Apparel Articles Claiming Preferential Tariff Treatment under
Section 112 of the Trade and Development Act of 2000. After
additional consultations with Ghanaian authorities, CITA may
determine that other textile and apparel goods shall be treated as
handloomed, handmade, or folklore articles.
Sincerely,
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements.
Attachment
Annex
CITA has determined that the following textile and apparel goods
shall be treated as folklore articles for purposes of the AGOA.
Articles must be ornamented in characteristic Ghanaian or regional folk
style. An article may not include modern features such as zippers,
elastic, elasticized fabrics, or hook-and-pile fasteners (such as
velcro or similar holding fabric). An article may not incorporate
patterns that are not traditional or historical to Ghana, such as
airplanes, buses, cowboys, or cartoon characters and may not
incorporate designs referencing holidays or festivals not common to
traditional Ghanaian culture, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving.
1. Kente Stole
Kente is a thin strip of handloomed fabric, usually about 4 to 6
inches wide and 3 yards long. This stole can either be composed of a
single strip of such kente fabric or multiple strips of kente fabric
sewn together to make a wider stole to a standard length of 6 yards for
women or 12 yards for men. Designs vary from colorful to plain,
intricate to simple, can be done in a patchwork style (alternating
blocks), contain decorative metallic threads, and have an elaborate
border. Patterns vary and are usually colorful. The handloomed kente
fabric used in a stole can also be a single color, traditionally dyed
with vegetable dyes.
The kente stole that consists of multiple strips of such handloomed
kente strips sewn together are either hand-stitched or machine sewn.
2. Adinkra
Made of handloomed fabric, usually about 4 to 6 inches wide and 3
yards long. The cotton fabric is usually plain white or brown and woven
on a traditional handloom, an adinkra is a fabric that is draped around
the body. The standard length is 6 yards for women and 12 yards for
men. Adinkra is usually traditionally dyed a single color with
vegetable dyes.
3. Agbada
Agbadas are loose fitting garments traditionally worn by men for
more formal occasions, in either 2-piece, 3-piece or 4-piece sets,
consisting of some or all of the following: (a) inner tunic gown, (b)
trousers, (c) outer gown, (d) cap. This garment can be made from woven
fabric of any weight and vary in color and design.
(a) Loose fitting, three-quarter length, embroidered tunic inner
gown. Sleeves may or may not be present, and may vary in length.
Patterns and colors vary, but there is usually intricate embroidery
around the neckline. The neckline can be round or have a slit down the
center front. May or may not have pockets.
(b) The trousers may be long or three-quarter length and are
secured at the waist by a drawstring, are loose-fitting with extra-
fullness at the thighs and may contain side seam pockets.
(c) Loose flowing, non-tailored, embroidered outer gown is full
length, and may have pockets, oftentimes located mid-way down the
garment under the embroidery on the neckline. The neckline can be
round, v-shaped, be asymmetrically v-shaped, or have a slit down the
center front.
(d) The matching cap can be cylindrical or cone-shaped, with or
without tassel, fitted or floppy.
4. Batakari/Fugu
Generally from the culture in the north of Ghana, 2-piece, 3-piece
or 4-piece sets consisting of some or all of the following: (a) inner
smock (b) trousers, (c) outer smock (d) and cap. The batakari is made
of handloomed strips of kente fabric, approximately 4 inches in width,
sewn together, either by machine or hand-stitched. The handloomed
strips of fabric tend to be plaid-patterned. A ``batakari'' is also
called a ``fugu'' or a ``smock'' depending on the region in which it
originates in the northern part of Ghana.
(a) Loose fitting, three-quarter length, embroidered inner smock.
Sleeves may or may not be present, and may vary in length. Patterns and
colors vary, but there is usually intricate embroidery around the
neckline. The neckline can be round, v-shaped, or have a slit down the
center front. May or may not have pockets. Tends to be pleated and
flare halfway down the garment.
(b) The trousers may be long or three-quarter length and are
secured at the waist by a drawstring, are loose-fitting with extra-
fullness at the thighs and may have side seam pockets.
(c) Loose flowing, non-tailored, embroidered outer smock is three-
quarter to full length, can have pockets, oftentimes located mid-way
down the garment under the embroidery on the neckline, may be pleated
and flare halfway down the garment. The neckline can be round, v-
shaped, be asymmetrically v-shape, or have a slit down the center
front. Tends to be
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pleated and flare halfway down the garment.
(d) The matching cap can be cylindrical or cone-shaped, with or
without tassel, fitted or floppy.
5. Kaftan
One-piece, loose-fitting, straight-seamed, long or three-quarter
length garment is ornamented, such as embroidered at the neckline,
traditionally worn by women. The neckline can be round, v-shaped, or
have a slit down the center front. Sleeves vary in length. The garment
may or may not have slits on each side (from the bottom hem upwards).
Can include matching strip of fabric to be worn in hair or as a shawl.
This garment can be made from woven fabric of any weight and vary in
color and design. May or may not have pockets.
6. Joromi (Men's shirt)
Loose fitting, straight-seamed shirt. Sleeves may or may not be
present and may vary in length. Patterns and colors vary, usually with
intricate ornamentation, such as embroidery, around the neckline. The
neckline can be round or have a slit down the center front, but does
not have a collar. May or may not have pockets. May have wooden button
fastenings below the neckline.
[FR Doc. 03-23454 Filed 9-12-03; 8:45 am]