E7-25399. Notice of Allocation of Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ) on the Import of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics for Calendar Year 2008

December 21, 2007.

AGENCY:

Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.

ACTION:

Notice of allocation of 2008 worsted wool fabric tariff rate quota.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce (Department) has determined the allocation for Calendar Year 2008 of imports of certain worsted wool fabrics under tariff rate quotas established by Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (Public Law No. 106-200), as amended by the Trade Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-210) and the Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004 (Public law 108-249), and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-280). The companies that are being provided an allocation are listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert Carrigg, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

BACKGROUND:

Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 as amended by the Trade Act of 2002, the Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004 and the Pension Protection Act of 2006, creates two tariff rate quotas, providing for temporary reductions in the import duties on two categories of worsted wool fabrics suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or trousers. For worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters greater than 18.5 microns (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) heading 9902.51.11), the reduction in duty is limited to 5,500,000 square meters in 2008. For worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters of 18.5 microns or less (HTSUS heading 9902.51.15), the reduction is limited to 5,000,000 square meters in 2008. The Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004 requires the President to ensure that such fabrics are fairly allocated to persons (including firms, corporations, or other legal entities) who cut and sew men's and boys' worsted wool suits and suit-like jackets and trousers in the United States and who apply for an allocation based on the amount of such suits cut and sewn during the prior calendar year. Presidential Proclamation 7383, of December 1, 2000, authorized the Secretary of Commerce to allocate the quantity of worsted wool fabric imports under the tariff rate quotas.

The Miscellaneous Trade Act also authorized Commerce to allocate a new HTS category, HTS 9902.51.16. This HTS refers to worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameter of 18.5 microns or less. The amendment further provides that HTS 9902.51.16 is for the benefit of persons (including firms, corporations, or other legal entities) who weave worsted wool fabric in the United States. For HTS 9902.51.16, the reduction in duty is limited to 2,000,000 square meters in 2008.

On January 22, 2001 the Department published interim regulations establishing procedures for applying for, and determining, such allocations (66 FR6459, 15 CFR 335). These interim regulations were adopted, without change, as a final rule published on October 24, 2005 (70 FR 61363). On September 5, 2007, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register (72 FR 50934) soliciting applications for an allocation of the 2008 tariff rate quotas with a closing date of October 5, 2007. The Department received timely applications for the HTS 9902.51.11 tariff rate quota from 9 firms. The Department received timely applications for the HTS 9902.51.15 tariff rate quota from 14 firms. The Department received timely applications for the HTS 9902.51.16 tariff rate quota from 1 firm. All applicants were determined eligible for an allocation. Most applicants submitted data on a business confidential basis. As allocations to firms were determined on the basis of this data, the Department considers individual firm allocations to be business confidential.

FIRMS THAT RECEIVED ALLOCATIONS

Companies Receiving Allocation:

Adrian Jules LTD-Rochester, NY

Hartmarx Corporation—Chicago, IL

Hugo Boss Cleveland, Inc-Brooklyn, OH

JA Apparel Corp.—New York, NY

John H. Daniel Co.—Knoxville, TN

Majer Brands Company, Inc.-Old Forge, PA

Saint Laurie Ltd—New York, NY

Sewell Clothing Company, Inc.—Bremen, GA

The Tom James Co.—Franklin, TN

Companies Receiving Allocation:

Adrian Jules LTD-Rochester, NY

Elevee Custom Clothing—Van Nuys, CA

Retail Brand Alliance, Inc. d/b/a Brooks Brothers—New York, NY

Hartmarx Corporation—Chicago, IL

Hugo Boss Cleveland, Inc.-Brooklyn, OH

JA Apparel Corp.—New York, NY

John H. Daniel Co.—Knoxville, TN

M. Carchedi Custom-Abington, PA

Majer Brands Company, Inc.-Old Forge, PA

Martin Greenfield—Brooklyn, NY

Saint Laurie Ltd—New York, NY

Sewell Clothing Company, Inc.—Bremen, GA

Southwick Clothing L.L.C.—Lawrence, MA

The Tom James Co.—Franklin, TN

Company Receiving Allocation:

Warren Corporation.-Stafford Springs, CT

Dated: December 21, 2007.

Maria D'Andrea,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Apparel and Consumer Goods Industries, Department of Commerce.