[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 39040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18839]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 5, 2009 /
Notices
[[Page 39040]]
COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS
Determination under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
August 3, 2009.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
ACTION: Directive to the Commissioner of U.S. 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
Burkina Faso shall be treated as ``handloomed and handmade articles''
and qualify for preferential treatment under the African Growth and
Opportunity Act. Imports of eligible products from Burkina Faso with an
appropriate visa will qualify for duty-free treatment.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 5, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don Niewiaroski, Jr., International
Trade Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of
Commerce, (202) 482-4058.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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. 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,
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. See 66 FR 7271, 7271-72 (January
22, 2001) and 70 FR 37959, 37961 & 63 (June 30, 2005).
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. See 66 FR 7837. The first digit of the visa number
corresponds to one of the 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 consulted with Burkina Faso authorities on July 21, 2009 and
has determined that handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g.,
handloomed rugs, scarves, place mats, and tablecloths), and handmade
articles made from fabrics handloomed in Burkina Faso, if produced in
and exported from Burkina Faso, are eligible for preferential tariff
treatment under section 112(a) of the AGOA, as amended. After further
consultations with Burkina Faso authorities, CITA may determine that
additional textile and apparel goods shall be treated as folklore
articles. In the letter published below, CITA directs the Commissioner
of U.S. 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.''
Maria D'Andrea,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements.
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
August 3, 2009.
Commissioner,
U.S. 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. 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 August 5, 2009, that the following articles shall be
treated as ``handloomed, handmade, folklore articles under the AGOA:
handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g., handloomed rugs,
scarves, placemats, and tablecloths), and handmade articles made
from handloomed fabrics, if made in Burkina Faso from fabric
handloomed in Burkina Faso. 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 Burkina Faso 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 Burkina Faso authorities,
CITA may determine that additional textile and apparel goods shall
be treated as folklore articles.
Maria D'Andrea,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements.
[FR Doc. E9-18839 Filed 8-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS