[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 49005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23847]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Provisions for Delays of Textile Visas or Exempt Certificates Due 
to the Recent National Emergency

September 19, 2001.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Issuing a directive to the Commissioner of Customs making 
provisions for delays in textile visas or exempt certificates due to 
the recent national emergency

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EFFECTIVE DATE: September 11, 2001.

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.
    In light of the recent national emergency, some textile visas or 
exempt certificates may be delayed in reaching their destination; visas 
are often delivered by courier services that have been disrupted by 
these events. As a result, CITA has determined that copies of visas and 
exempt certificates shall be accepted for conditional release of 
merchandise for a limited period of time.
    In the letter published below, the Chairman of CITA directs the 
Commissioner of Customs, with respect to all textiles and textile 
product subject to visa requirements entered on or after September 11, 
2001 but prior to September 29, 2001, to accept copies of textile visas 
or exempt certificates for the conditional release of merchandise. The 
original textile visa or exempt certificate must be presented to the 
U.S. Customs Service upon receipt and no later than October 12, 2001. 
Effective for textiles and textile products entered on or after 
September 29, 2001, original textile visas will be required. U.S. 
Customs should continue to require an Electronic Visa Information 
System (ELVIS) transmission for all shipments for which an ELVIS 
transmission is required.
    Absent submission of the original textile visa or exempt 
certificate on or before October 12, 2001, the goods will be deemed 
inadmissible.

D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for Implementation of Textile Agreements

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

September 19, 2001.

Commissioner of Customs,
Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20229.
Charles W. Winwood
Acting Commissioner
U.S. Customs Service
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20229
  
Dear Mr. Commissioner:
    In light of the recent national emergency, some textile visas or 
exempt certificates may be delayed in reaching their destination; 
visas are often delivered by courier services that have been 
disrupted by these events. As a result, CITA has determined that 
copies of visas and exempt certificates shall be accepted for 
conditional release of merchandise for a limited period of time.
    CITA directs that, with respect to all textiles and textile 
product subject to visa requirements entered on or after September 
11, 2001 but prior to September 29, 2001, the United States Customs 
Service shall accept copies of textile visas or exempt certificates 
for the conditional release of merchandise. The original textile 
visa or exempt certificate must be presented to the U.S. Customs 
Service upon receipt and no later than October 12, 2001. Effective 
for textiles and textile products entered on or after September 29, 
2001, original textile visas will be required. U.S. Customs should 
continue to require an Electronic Visa Information System (ELVIS) 
transmission for all shipments for which an ELVIS transmission is 
required.
    Absent submission of the original textile visa or exempt 
certificate on or before October 12, 2001, the goods will be deemed 
inadmissible.
    Sincerely,
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 01-23847 Filed 9-20-01; 9:57 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-S