[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 22 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 3763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2062]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service


Country of Origin Marking Requirements for Wearing Apparel

AGENCY: Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Proposed change of practice; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On November 16, 1995, Customs published in the Federal 
Register a document proposing to change the practice regarding the 
country of origin marking of wearing apparel. Comments were to be 
received on or before January 16, 1996. This document extends for an 
additional 60 days the period of time within which interested members 
of the public may submit comments on the proposed change of practice.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 15, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments (preferably in triplicate) may be addressed 
to the Regulations Branch, U.S. Customs Service, Franklin Court, 1301 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20229. Comments submitted 
may be inspected at the Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and 
Rulings, Franklin Court, 1099 14th Street, N.W., Suite 4000, 
Washington, D.C.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monika Rice, Special Classification 
and Marking Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, (202) 482-6980.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On November 16, 1995, Customs published a document in the Federal 
Register (60 FR 57621) proposing to change the practice regarding the 
country of origin marking of wearing apparel. Customs previously has 
ruled that wearing apparel, such as shirts, blouses, coats, sweaters, 
etc., must be marked with the name of the country of origin by means of 
a fabric label or label made from natural or synthetic film sewn or 
otherwise permanently affixed on the inside center of the neck midway 
between the shoulder seams or in that immediate area or otherwise 
permanently marked in that area in some other manner. Buttons tags, 
string tags and other hand tags, paper labels and other similar methods 
of marking are not acceptable. In the November 16 Federal Register 
document Customs proposed to change this practice. Customs proposed to 
evaluate the marking of such wearing apparel on a case-by-case basis in 
order to determine whether the requirements of the marking statute, 19 
U.S.C. 1304, are satisfied.
    The comment period for this proposed change of practice expired on 
January 16, 1996. However, Customs has received requests from 
interested parties to extend the period of time for comments in order 
to afford the parties additional time to prepare responsive comments. 
Customs believes that it is appropriate to grant the request. 
Accordingly, the period of time for the submission of comments is 
extended another 60 days. With the extension, comments must be received 
on or before March 15, 1996.

    Dated: January 26, 1996.
Stuart P. Seidel,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Regulations and Rulings.
[FR Doc. 96-2062 Filed 1-31-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P