Under the NAFTA, NAFTA countries are required to eliminate customs duties on textile and apparel goods that qualify as originating goods under the NAFTA rules of origin, which are set out in Annex 401 to the NAFTA. The NAFTA provides that the rules of origin for textile and apparel products may be amended through a subsequent agreement by the NAFTA countries. See Section 202(q) of the NAFTA Implementation Act. In consultations regarding such a change, the NAFTA countries are to consider issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the free trade area and whether domestic producers are capable of supplying commercial quantities of the good in a timely manner. The Statement of Administrative Action (SAA) that accompanied the NAFTA Implementation Act stated that any interested person may submit to CITA a request for a modification to a particular rule of origin based on a change in the availability in North America of a particular fiber, yarn or fabric and that the requesting party would bear the burden of demonstrating that a change is warranted. NAFTA Implementation Act, SAA, H. Doc. 103-159, Vol. 1, at 491 (1993). The SAA provides that CITA may make a recommendation to the President regarding a change to a rule of origin for a textile or apparel good. SAA at 491. The NAFTA Implementation Act provides the President with the authority to proclaim modifications to the NAFTA rules of origin as are necessary to implement an agreement with one or more NAFTA country on such a modification. See section 202(q) of the NAFTA Implementation Act.
On May 2, 2008, the Chairman of CITA received a request from Oxford Industries, Inc., alleging that certain woven jacquard acetate rayon fabrics, of the specifications listed below, classified under subheading 5408.23.2930 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and requesting that CITA consider whether the NAFTA rule of origin for certain men's apparel, classified under certain HTSUS Chapter 62 subheadings, should be modified to allow the use of non-North American woven jacquard acetate rayon fabric.
CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, particularly with respect to whether the woven jacquard acetate rayon fabrics described above can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be received no later than June 13, 2008. Interested persons are invited to submit six copies of such comments or information to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3100, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230.
If a comment alleges that these woven jacquard acetate rayon fabrics can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner, CITA will closely review any supporting documentation, such as a signed statement by a manufacturer stating that it produces fabric that is the subject of the request, including the quantities that can be supplied and the time necessary to fill an order, as well as any relevant information regarding past production.
CITA will protect any business confidential information that is marked business confidential from disclosure to the full extent permitted by law. CITA will make available to the public non-confidential versions of the request and non-confidential versions of any public comments received with respect to a request in room 3001 in the Herbert Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230. Persons submitting comments on a request are encouraged to include a non-confidential version and a non-confidential summary.
Specifications:
HTS Classification: | 5408.23.2930 |
Overall fiber content: | 55% Acetate (warp), 45% Rayon (filling) |
Yarn size: | |
Warp: | 75 denier; |
Filling: | 120 denier |
Yarn number: | |
Warp: | 146 single threads/inch (57.5 single threads/cm) |
Filling: | 80 single threads/inch (31.5 single threads/cm) |
Weight: | 2.59 ounces/square yard (88 grams/square meter) |
Width: | 55 inches (including selvedge) |
Weave type: | Jacquard of 2 or more color yarns |
Finish: | Yarn dyed and not coated |