[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64148-64150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30749]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-373]
Advice on Providing Temporary Duty-Free Entry for Certain Suits
and Suit-Type Jackets From Mexico
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and request for written
submissions.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: November 26, 1996.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on November 21, 1996, of a letter from the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted
investigation No. 332-373, Advice on Providing Temporary Duty-Free
Entry for Certain Suits and Suit-Type Jackets from Mexico, under
section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930. USTR asked that the Commission
provide advice as to the probable effect of providing temporary duty-
free entry under criteria similar to those of Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTS) heading 9802.00.90 for the suits
and suit-type jackets from Mexico classifiable in the HTS subheadings
listed in the annex, but only where such garments contain interlining
fabrics that are cut but not formed in the United States and that
[[Page 64149]]
otherwise meet the criteria of heading 9802.00.90. USTR requested that
the Commission provide advice as to the probable effect of such action
on affected segments of the U.S. textile and apparel industries,
workers in these industries, and consumers of the affected goods.
As requested by USTR, the Commission expects to submit its report
by January 15, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information on general topics may be
obtained from Mary Elizabeth Sweet, Office of Industries (202-205-3455)
and legal aspects, from William Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel
(202-205-3091). The media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of
Public Affairs (202-205-1819). Hearing impaired individuals are advised
that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD
terminal on (202-205-1810).
Background
On December 17, 1992, the President entered into the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), approved by the Congress and implemented
by Presidential Proclamation 6641 effective as of January 1, 1994.
Among the provisions proclaimed to implement NAFTA obligations is
heading 9802.00.90 which affords duty-free entry into the United States
of apparel and other textile goods assembled in Mexico in which the
textile components are made entirely from U.S.-formed-and-cut fabrics.
According to USTR's letter, the impending loss of domestic supply of
certain interlining fabrics has caused concern among U.S. firms that
produce suits and suit-type jackets containing these interlining
fabrics in production-sharing operations in Mexico and that import the
finished garments under heading 9802.00.90. Because these U.S.-formed
interlining fabrics will no longer be available when current
inventories are exhausted, garments now imported by these U.S. firms
under heading 9802.00.90 would no longer qualify for duty-free entry
thereunder and would be dutiable to the extent of the value added in
Mexico. Representatives of the U.S. textile and apparel industries have
requested that the President authorize temporary duty-free entry for
the suits and suit-type jackets from Mexico that contain imported
interlining fabrics, provided that the fabrics are cut in the United
States and that the garments otherwise meet the criteria of heading
9802.00.90. Section 201(b)(1)(A) of the NAFTA Implementation Act (19
U.S.C. 3331(b)(1)(A)) authorizes the President to proclaim such
modifications or continuation of any duty as the President determines
to be necessary or appropriate to maintain the general level of
reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions with respect to Canada
or Mexico provided for by NAFTA, subject to the consultation and
layover requirements of section 103(a) of the NAFTA Implementation Act
(19 U.S.C. 3313(a)).
After considering the Commission's advice and all other factors
specified by the NAFTA Implementation Act, the President must submit
the proposed temporary tariff changes and accompanying advice and
explanations to the Congress pursuant to the layover requirements of
section 103 (a) of the NAFTA Implementation Act. Although USTR's letter
did not identify the interlining fabrics in question, these fabrics
were identified by the Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements (CITA) in a Federal Register notice of September 20, 1996
(61 FR 149439) in connection with similar changes to the Special Access
Program for Caribbean Basin countries. According to CITA's notice,
imported interlining fabrics may be used in the suit jackets and suit-
type jackets entered under the Special Access Program provided they are
cut in the United States and are of a type described below:
1. A chest plate, ``hymo'' piece or ``sleeve header'' of woven or
weft-inserted warp knit construction of course animal hair or manmade
filaments used in the manufacture of the specified garments;
2. A weft-inserted warp knit fabric that contains and exhibits
properties of elasticity and resilience which render the fabric
especially suitable for attachment by fusing with a thermo-plastic
adhesive to the coat-front, side body or back of the specified
garments; and
3. A woven fabric that contains and exhibits properties of
resiliency which render the fabric especially suitable for attachment
by fusing with a thermo-plastic adhesive to the coat-front, side body
or back of the specified garments.
Written Submissions
The Commission has not scheduled a public hearing in connection
with this investigation. However, interested parties are invited to
submit written statements regarding the matters to be addressed by the
Commission in its report on this investigation. Commercial or financial
information that a submitter desires the Commission to treat as
confidential must be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each
clearly marked ``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All
submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the
requirements of section Sec. 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of
Practice and Procedure (19 C.F.R. 201.6). All written submissions,
except for confidential business information, will be made available in
the Office of the Secretary to the Commission for inspection by
interested parties. The Commission may include confidential business
information submitted in the course of this investigation in the
President and USTR. If the Commission is authorized to publish a
report, the Commission will not publish confidential business
information in a manner that would reveal the individual operations of
the firm supplying the information. USTR has indicated that all or part
of the Commission's report may be classified.
To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written
statements relating to the investigation should be submitted to the
Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no
later than the close of business on December 16, 1996. All submissions
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the
Secretary at 200-205-2000.
Issued: November 26, 1996.
By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
Annex
Men's, boys', women's, and girls' suits or suit-type jackets, of
wool, fine animal hair, or manmade fibers and covered by the following
HTS subheadings:
6103.11.0000
6103.12.1000
6103.12.2000
6103.19.1000
6103.19.1500
6103.19.9040
6103.19.9050
6103.21.0020
6103.23.0007
6103.23.0037
6103.29.1015
6103.31.0000
6103.33.1000
6103.33.2000
6103.39.1000
6103.39.8020
6103.39.8030
6104.11.0000
6104.13.1000
6104.13.2000
6104.19.1000
[[Page 64150]]
6104.19.1500
6104.19.8050
6104.19.8060
6104.21.0010
6104.23.0010
6104.23.0026
6104.29.1010
6104.29.2012
6104.29.2014
6104.31.0000
6104.33.1000
6104.33.2000
6104.39.1000
6104.39.2020
6104.39.2030
6203.11.1000
6203.11.2000
6203.12.1000
6203.12.2010
6203.12.2020
6203.19.2000
6203.19.3000
6203.19.9040
6203.19.9050
6203.21.0015
6203.23.0015
6203.23.0055
6203.29.2020
6203.31.0010
6203.31.0020
6203.33.1030
6203.33.1040
6203.33.1050
6203.33.1060
6203.33.2010
6203.33.2020
6203.39.1010
6203.39.1020
6203.39.2010
6203.39.2020
6203.39.9020
6203.39.9030
6204.11.0000
6204.13.1000
6204.13.2010
6204.13.2020
6204.19.1000
6204.19.2000
6204.19.8050
6204.19.8060
6204.21.0010
6204.23.0005
6204.23.0030
6204.29.2010
6204.29.4012
6204.29.4014
6204.31.1010
6204.31.1020
6204.31.2010
6204.31.2020
6204.33.1000
6204.33.2000
6204.33.4010
6204.33.4020
6204.33.5010
6204.33.5020
6204.39.2010
6204.39.2020
6204.39.3010
6204.39.3020
6204.39.8020
6204.39.8030
[FR Doc. 96-30749 Filed 11-27-96; 1:40 pm]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-M
