[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 17179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9069]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS
Permanent Exemption of ``Fashion Samples'' From Visa and Quota
Requirements
April 4, 1997
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).
ACTION: Issuing a directive to the Commissioner of Customs exempting
``fashion samples'' from visa and quota requirements.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 11, 1997
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Fennessy, International Trade
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of
Commerce, (202) 482-3400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended;
section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as amended (7 U.S.C.
1854).
A notice published in the Federal Register on February 6, 1996 (61
FR 4418) announces a temporary exemption from visa and quota
requirements for textile and apparel articles described as ``fashion
samples.''
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has
determined that, effective on April 11, 1997, textile and apparel
articles described as ``fashion samples'' which are produced or
manufactured in various countries and entered into the United States
for consumption shall no longer be subject to quota and visa
requirements.
The term ``fashion samples'' is limited to wearing apparel and
other textile articles purchased at retail and not imported in multiple
units, i.e., no more than a single article in a particular style and/or
color. These shipments must not be greater than twenty-four (24) pieces
and must accompany a returning buyer. Mail and cargo shipments would
not be eligible for treatment as ``fashion samples.''
Troy H. Cribb,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
April 4, 1997.
Commissioner of Customs,
Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20229.
Dear Commissioner: This directive amends, but does not cancel,
all import control directives issued to you by the Chairman,
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. This
directive also amends, but does not cancel, all visa requirements
for all countries for which visa arrangements are in place with the
United States.
Effective on April 11, 1997, you are directed to no longer
require a visa for textile and apparel articles described as
``fashion samples'' which are produced or manufactured in various
countries and entered into the United States for consumption. Also,
these textile and apparel articles shall not be subject to existing
quota.
These textile and apparel items, frequently called buyers
``fashion samples'' are limited to textile and apparel items
purchased at retail. The ``fashion samples'' must accompany a buyer
returning to the United States, must not be more than a single
article in a particular style or color and must not exceed more than
24 pieces total. Mail and cargo shipments would not be eligible for
treatment as ``fashion samples.''
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has
determined that this action falls within the foreign affairs
exception to the rulemaking provisions of 5 U.S.C.553(a)(1).
Sincerely,
Troy H. Cribb,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 97-9069 Filed 4-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-F
