[Federal Register: December 26, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 247)]
[Notices]
[Page 77389-77390]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26de06-42]
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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS
Determination under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
December 18, 2006.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA)
ACTION: Directive to the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection.
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SUMMARY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
(CITA) has determined that certain additional textile and apparel goods
from the United Republic of Tanzania shall be treated as ``handloomed,
handmade, folklore articles, or ethnic printed fabrics'' 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: January 10, 2007
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: Authority: Sections 112(a) and 112(b)(6) of the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (Title I of the Trade and
Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-200) (``AGOA''), as amended
by Section 7(c) of the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-
274) (``AGOA Acceleration Act'') (19 U.S.C. Sec. 3721(a) and
(b)(6)); Sections 2 and 5 of Executive Order No. 13191 of January
17, 2001; Sections 25-27 and Paras. 13-14 of Presidential
Proclamation 7912 of June 29, 2005.
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. The AGOA Acceleration Act further
expanded AGOA by adding ethnic printed fabrics to the list of textile
and apparel products made in the beneficiary sub-Saharan African
countries that may be eligible for the preferential treatment described
in section 112(a) of the AGOA. In Executive Order 13191 (January 17,
[[Page 77390]]
2001) and Presidential Proclamation 7912 (June 29, 2005), 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, folklore
articles, or ethnic printed fabrics. (66 FR 7271-72 and 70 FR 37959,
37961 & 63)
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, folklore articles, or ethnic printed
fabrics.
CITA has consulted with Tanzanian authorities and has previously
determined that handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g.,
handloomed rugs, scarves, place mats, and tablecloths), handmade
articles made from handloomed fabrics, and certain folklore articles
are eligible for preferential treatment (69 FR 54268). This directive
expands Tanzania's existing Category 9 treatment to include certain
ethnic printed fabrics described in Annex A to this notice, if produced
in and exported from Tanzania. These goods are eligible for
preferential tariff treatment under section 112(a) of the AGOA, as
amended. 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''.
Philip J. Martello,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements.
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
December 18, 2006.
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) and
(b)(6) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Title I of the
Trade and Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-200) (``AGOA''),
as amended by Section 7(c) of the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004
(Pub. L. 108-274) (``AGOA Acceleration Act'') (19 U.S.C. Sec.
3721(a) and (b)(6)), Executive Order No. 13191 of January 17, 2001,
and Presidential Proclamation 7912 of June 29, 2005, has determined,
effective on January 10, 2007, that ethnic printed fabrics described
in Annex A 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 the United
Republic 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 further consultations with Tanzanian authorities, CITA
may determine that additional textile and apparel goods shall be
treated as folklore articles or ethnic printed fabrics.
Sincerely,
Philip J. Martello,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements.
ANNEX A: Tanzanian Ethnic Printed Fabrics: the Khanga
Each Khanga must meet all of the criteria listed below:
A) selvedge on both edges
B) width of less than 50 inches
C) classifiable under subheading 5208.52.30 \1\ or 5208.52.40
\2\ of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
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\1\ printed plain weave fabrics of cotton, 85% or more cotton by
weight, weighing over 100g/m2 but not more than 200 g/m2, of yarn
number 42 or lower
\2\ printed plain weave fabrics of cotton, 85% or more cotton by
weight, weighing over 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2, of yarn
numbers 43-68
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D) contains designs, symbols, and other characteristics of
African prints normally produced for and sold in Africa by the piece
(each fixed length measures approximately 3.35 meters long by 1.15
meters wide).
E) each design contains a two matching panels with center
motifs, matching borders, and wording representing a saying in
Swahili or other language. These panels are sold in a pair.
F) made from fabric woven in the U.S. using U.S. yarn or woven
in one or more eligible sub-Saharan beneficiary countries using U.S
or African yarn
G) printed, including waxed, in one or more eligible sub-Saharan
beneficiary countries
H) must be manufactured by one of the companies listed below:
i. Urafiki - Tanzania China Friendship Textile Factory
ii. Karibu Textile Mills
iii. Lakhani Industries
iv. Nida Industries (Formerly Sunguratex)
v. African Pride
vi. Morogoro Polyester
vii. Mohamed Enterprises (Formerly Seifee Industry)
viii. Musoma Textile Factory
ix. Mwanza Textile Factory
[FR Doc. E6-21992 Filed 12-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S