[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 131 (Thursday, July 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37095-37096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18234]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Amendment to Quota and Visa Requirements to Increase the 
Exemption for Properly Marked Commercial Sample Shipments From Various 
Countries

July 6, 1998.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Issuing a directive to the Commissioner of Customs increasing 
the exemption for properly marked commercial sample shipments.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian F. Fennessy, International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, (202) 482-3400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 1854); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as 
amended.

    Currently, shipments of properly marked commercial samples valued 
at U.S.$250 or less do not require a visa for entry into the United 
States and are not charged to applicable quotas. The Committee for the 
Implementation of Textile Agreements has reviewed the dollar limitation 
and has decided to increase the exemption from U.S.$250 to U.S.$800 for 
properly marked commercial sample shipments exported on or after 
September 1, 1998.
    In addition to other requirements, U.S. Customs guidelines require 
that each imported sample must be indelibly marked ``SAMPLE'' in large 
letters in specific locations depending on the imported article.
    In the letter published below, the Chairman of CITA directs the 
Commissioner of Customs to amend existing visa requirements.
Troy H. Cribb,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
July 6, 1998.

Commissioner of Customs,
Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20229.

    Dear Commissioner: This directive amends, but does not cancel, 
all directives issued to you which establish textile and apparel 
export visa requirements.
    The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has 
decided to increase the dollar limitation for properly marked 
commercial sample shipments from U.S.$250 to U.S.$800. Effective on 
September 1, 1998, for products exported on or after September 1, 
1998, shipments of properly marked commercial samples valued at 
U.S.$800 or less do not require a visa for entry into the United 
States and shall not be charged to applicable quotas.
    Shipments entered or withdrawn from warehouse according to this 
directive which are not properly marked shall be subject to 
applicable quota and visa requirements.
    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).

[[Page 37096]]

    Sincerely,
Troy H. Cribb,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 98-18234 Filed 7-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-F