Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has determined that certain polyester and nylon yarns, of the specifications detailed below, classified in subheadings 5402.31.6000, 5402.62.0000, and 5605.00.1000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. CITA hereby designates apparel articles containing lace fabrics of such yarns, that are sewn or otherwise assembled in one or more eligible ATPDEA beneficiary countries from such fabrics, as eligible for quota free and duty free treatment under the textile and apparel commercial availability provisions of the ATPDEA and eligible under HTSUS subheading 9821.11.10, provided that all other fabrics in the apparel articles are wholly formed in the United States from yarns wholly formed in the United States, including fabrics not formed from yarns, if such yarns are classifiable under HTSUS heading 5602 or 5603, and are wholly formed in the United States. CITA notes that this designation under the ATPDEA renders apparel articles containing lace fabrics of such yarn, sewn or otherwise assembled in an eligible ATPDEA beneficiary country, as eligible for quota-free and duty-free treatment under HTSUS subheading 9821.11.13, provided the requirements of that subheading are met.

On July 5, 2006 the Chairman of CITA received a petition from Shibani Inwear alleging that a certain combed and ring spun yarn, of a 92 percent cotton/ 8 percent cashmere blend, comprised of 2/32 Nm resulting in a 16 Nm yarn count, classified in subheading 5205.42.00.20 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. The petition requests that men's knit sweaters made of such yarn be eligible for preferential treatment under the AGOA. This is the second submission of a petition regarding the subject yarn, previously denied by CITA. See Denial of a Commercial Availability Request under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) (71 FR 27467, published on May 11, 2006). CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether such yarn can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by July 27, 2006 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20230.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has determined that certain 100 percent cotton, yarn-dyed, 3- or 4-thread twill weave, flannel fabrics, of combed, ring spun single yarns, of the specifications detailed below, classified in subheading 5208.43.0000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), for use in products in Categories 340, 341, and 350, cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. The CITA hereby designates products in Categories 340, 341, and 350 that are both cut and sewn or otherwise assembled in one or more eligible CBTPA beneficiary countries from such fabrics, as eligible for quota free and duty free treatment under the textile and apparel commercial availability provisions of the CBTPA and eligible under HTSUS subheading 9820.11.27 to enter free of quota and duties, provided that all other fabrics in the referenced apparel articles are wholly formed in the United States from yarns wholly formed in the United States.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has determined that certain 100% cotton flannel fabrics, as specified below, are not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the CAFTA-DR region. The product will be added to the list in Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement in unrestricted quantities.

This notice sets forth the procedures the Committee will follow in considering requests from the public for textile and apparel safeguard actions as provided for in Title III, Subtitle B, Section 321 through Section 328 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR'' or the ``Agreement'') Implementation Act.

On March 24, 2006 the Chairman of CITA received a request from Biederlack of America alleging that acrylic staple fiber, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, classified in subheading 5503.30 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 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of origin for blankets classified under HTSUS subheading 6301.40 should be modified to allow the use of non-North American acrylic staple fiber. The President may proclaim a modification to the NAFTA rules of origin only after reaching an agreement with the other NAFTA countries on the modification. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether acrylic staple fiber of HTSUS subheading 5503.30 can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by May 12, 2006 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has determined that certain, 100 percent nylon 66, fully drawn flat filament yarn, of yarn count 156 decitex, comprised of 51 trilobal filaments and 20 round filaments, classified in subheading 5402.41.9040 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), for use in apparel articles classified under HTSUS subheadings 6108.22.9020 and 6109.90.1065, cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. CITA hereby designates such apparel articles of such yarn, that are cut from fabric formed, or knit-to- shape, and sewn or otherwise assembled in one or more eligible AGOA beneficiary countries as eligible to enter free of quotas and duties under HTSUS subheading 9819.11.24.

On March 9, 2006, the Chairman of CITA received a petition from Encajes, S.A. Colombia, alleging that certain polyester and nylon yarns, classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) in subheadings 5402.31.6000, 5402.62.000, and 5605.00.1000, cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. The petition requests that apparel articles containing lace fabrics of such yarns be eligible for preferential treatment under the ATPDEA. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether such yarns can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by March 30, 2006 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20230.

This notice sets forth the interim procedures the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (``CITA'') will follow in implementing certain provisions of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR'' or ``Agreement'') Implementation Act. Section 203(o)(4) of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act establishes procedures for the President to modify the list of fabrics, yarns, or fibers not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the countries that are Parties to the CAFTA-DR, as set out in Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR. The President has delegated to CITA the authority to determine whether fabrics, yarns, or fibers are not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in CAFTA-DR countries and has directed CITA to establish procedures that govern the submission of a request and provide the opportunity for interested entities to submit comments and supporting evidence in any such determination pursuant to the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act. This notice hereby gives notice to interested entities of the procedures CITA will follow in considering such requests and solicits public written comments on these procedures. Comments must be received not later than March 9, 2006 of this notice to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3100, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230.

On January 10, 2006 the Chairman of CITA received a petition from The National Council of Textiles Organizations (NCTO), alleging that a substitutable product for certain compacted, plied, ring spun cotton yarns, with yarn counts in the range from 42 to 102 metric, classified in subheadings 5205.42.0020, 5205.43.0020, 5205.44.0020, 5205.46.0020, 5205.47.0020 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner, and requesting that CITA revoke its previous designation regarding these yarns. On September 29, 2005, following a determination that the subject yarns could not be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner under the CBTPA and ATPDEA, CITA designated men's and boys' woven cotton trousers and shirts, and women's and girls' woven cotton trousers, shirts, and blouses, made from U.S. formed fabric containing such yarns as eligible for duty-free treatment under the CBTPA and ATPDEA. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request from NCTO, in particular with regard to whether such yarns or substitutable yarns can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities. Comments must be submitted by February 3, 2006 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

On December 19, 2005 the Chairman of CITA received a request from Meeks & Sheppard, on behalf of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company, alleging that rayon viscose staple fiber, classified in subheading 5504.10 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 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of origin for sanitary towels or tampons classified under HTSUS subheading 5601.10 should be modified to allow the use of non-North American viscose rayon staple fiber. The President may proclaim a modification to the NAFTA rules of origin only after reaching an agreement with the other NAFTA countries on the modification. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether woven fabrics of the type described below can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by February 10, 2006 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

On October 24, 2005 the Chairman of CITA received a request from Quaker Fabrics alleging that certain acrylic staple fibers, classified in subheading 5503.30.0000 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 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of origin for chenille fabric classified under HTSUS 5801.36.0000 should be modified to allow the use of non-North American acrylic staple fiber. The President may proclaim a modification to the NAFTA rules of origin only after reaching an agreement with the other NAFTA countries on the modification. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether acrylic staple fiber can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by January 9, 2006. to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230.

On October 28, 2005, the Chairman of CITA received a request from Alston & Bird LLP, on behalf of Polymer Group, Inc. (PGI), alleging that rayon viscose staple fiber, classified in subheading 5504.10 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 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of origin for nonwoven wipes classified under HTSUS subheadings 5603.91, 5603.92, 5603.93 and 5603.94 should be modified to allow the use of non-North American viscose rayon staple fiber. The President may proclaim a modification to the NAFTA rules of origin only after reaching an agreement with the other NAFTA countries on the modification. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether woven fabrics of the type described below can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by January 9, 2006 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

The Committee is terminating further consideration of requests for safeguard action on imports from China of twenty-four textile and apparel product categories.

On November 18, 2005, the Chairman of CITA received a petition from Oxford Industries alleging that 100 percent cotton woven flannel fabrics, made from 21 through 36 NM single ring-spun yarns, of 2 X 2 twill weave construction, weighing not more than 200 grams per square meter, classified under subheading 5208.43.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. The petition requests that such fabrics, for use in the manufacture of shirts, trousers, nightwear, robes and dressing gowns and woven underwear in an ATPDEA beneficiary country for export to the United States, be eligible for preferential treatment under the ATPDEA. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this petition, in particular with regard to whether these fabrics can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by December 12, 2005 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution, NW., Washington, D.C. 20230.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has determined that certain textile and apparel goods from Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone with an appropriate visa will qualify for duty-free treatment.

The Committee is extending through November 30, 2005, the period for making a determination on whether to request consultations with China regarding imports of cotton and man-made fiber skirts (Category 342/642).

The Committee is extending through November 30, 2005, the period for making a determination on whether to request consultations with China regarding imports of women's and girls' cotton and man-made fiber shirts and blouses, not-knit (Category 341/641).