Determination under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, 39040 [E9-18839]

Agencies

• Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 39040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18839]


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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