[Federal Register: September 8, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 173)]
[Notices]
[Page 54268-54269]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08se04-33]
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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS
Determination Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
September 1, 2004.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).
ACTION: Directive to the Commissioner, Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection.
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SUMMARY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
(CITA) has determined that certain textile and apparel goods from
Tanzania 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 Tanzania
with an appropriate visa will qualify for duty-free treatment.
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 13, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Flaaten, International Trade
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of
Commerce, (202) 482-3400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Title I of
the Trade and Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 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).
[[Page 54269]]
In a letter to the Commissioner of Customs dated January 18, 2001,
the 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 Tanzanian 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 Tanzania, 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''.
James C. Leonard III,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
September 1, 2004.
Commissioner,
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, 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 13, 2004, 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 Tanzania from fabric handloomed in Tanzania; and (b) the
folklore articles described in the attachment to this letter if made
in Tanzania. 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
Tanzania 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 Tanzanian authorities, CITA may
determine that other textile and apparel goods shall be treated as
handloomed, handmade, or folklore articles.
Sincerely,
James C. Leonard III,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
ANNEX - Folklore Articles
CITA has determined that the following textile and apparel goods
shall be treated as folklore articles for purposes of the AGOA if
made in Tanzania and certified by a competent authority. Articles
must be ornamented in characteristic Tanzanian or regional folk
style, i.e., Kikoi items, as described below. An article may not
include modern features such as zippers, elastic, elasticized
fabrics, or hook-and-pile fasteners (such as Velcro [reg] or similar
holding fabric). An article may not incorporate patterns that are
not traditional or historical to Tanzania, such as airplanes, buses,
cowboys, or cartoon characters and may not incorporate designs
referencing holidays or festivals not common to traditional
Tanzanian culture, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Kikoi (also spelled kikoy)
Kikoi is a traditional Tanzanian multipurpose fabric of the East
African coast, varying in size depending on use. Kikoi is a 100
percent cotton fabric, either handloomed or machine-made. Kikoi has
distinct striped or plaid patterns and usually has knotted or un-
knotted tassels along each hem. If striped, the stripes are vertical
along the selvedge edges in bright colors, such as red, yellow,
orange, green, or blue for garments. Folklore articles made of Kikoi
fabric eligible for treatment as folklore articles are currently
limited to the Mgolole, the Traditional Kikoi Shirt, and the
Traditional Kikoi Boubou, as described below. Handloomed Kikoi
fabric and handmade articles of such fabric may be eligible for
preferential AGOA treatment as handloomed or handmade articles, but
not as folklore articles.
Eligible folklore articles:
(a) Mgolole (Body Wrap, Scarf)
Made of Kikoi fabric, these traditional garments are worn as a wrap
around garment by both men and women all over the East African
coast, similar to the sarong of South East Asia. This traditional
garment is draped over one shoulder and held in place with a knot.
The Kikoi Mgolole can also be thrown over one shoulder for
decoration or treated as a normal scarf. Dimensions for the Mgolole
are approximately 45 x 80 inches long for wraps and 12 x 80 inches
for scarves. The unfinished top and lower hems are knotted or un-
knotted tassels along each hem.
(b) Traditional Kikoi Shirt
Made of Kikoi fabric, the article is a loose-fitting, straight-
seamed shirt. Sleeves are half to three-quarter in length. The
neckline is rounded or v- shaped, without collar. The shirt may or
may not have square-shaped breast and lower front pockets. It may
have wooden button fastenings below the neckline. Kikoi striped-
trim typically decorates the neckline, pockets and each arm opening.
The bottom hem and/or pockets may be finished or left unfinished
with fringe or knotted tassels hanging.
(c) Traditional Kikoi Boubou (long tunic)
A loose flowing, straight-seamed, non-tailored, full-length outer
tunic, made of Kikoi fabric. The neckline is rounded or v-shaped,
without collar. Kikoi striped- trim decorates the neckline and each
arm opening, which extend down the full length of the garment. There
are no discernable sleeves. The garment is rectangular in shape. The
bottom hem can be finished or left unfinished with fringe knotted
tassels hanging.
[FR Doc. E4-2092 Filed 9-7-04; 8:45 am]