[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53967-53969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23454]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS

Determination Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act


September 10, 2003.

AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.

ACTION: Directive to the Commissioner of Customs.

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SUMMARY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements 
(CITA) has determined that certain textile and apparel goods from Ghana 
shall be treated as ``handloomed, handmade, or folklore articles'' and 
qualify for preferential treatment under the African Growth and 
Opportunity Act. Imports of eligible products from Ghana with an 
appropriate visa will qualify for duty-free treatment.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 15, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Flaaten, International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, (202) 782-3400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The African Growth and Opportunity Act 
(Title I of the Trade and Development Act of 2000, Public Law 106-200) 
(AGOA) provides preferential tariff treatment for imports of certain 
textile and apparel products of beneficiary sub-Saharan African 
countries, including handloomed, handmade, or folklore articles of a 
beneficiary country that are certified as such by the competent 
authority in the beneficiary country. In Executive Order 13191, the 
President authorized CITA to consult with beneficiary sub-Saharan 
African countries and to determine which, if any, particular textile 
and apparel goods shall be treated as being handloomed, handmade, or 
folklore articles. (66 FR 7272)
    In a letter to the Commissioner of Customs dated January 18, 2001, 
the

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United States Trade Representative directed Customs to require that 
importers provide an appropriate export visa from a beneficiary sub-
Saharan African country to obtain preferential treatment under section 
112(a) of the AGOA (66 FR 7837). The first digit of the visa number 
corresponds to one of nine groupings of textile and apparel products 
that are eligible for preferential tariff treatment. Grouping ``9'' is 
reserved for handmade, handloomed, or folklore articles.
    CITA has consulted with Ghanaian authorities, and has determined 
that handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g., handloomed rugs, 
scarves, place mats, and tablecloths), handmade articles made from 
handloomed fabrics, and the folklore articles described in the annex to 
this notice, if produced in and exported from Ghana, are eligible for 
preferential tariff treatment under section 112(a) of the AGOA. In the 
letter published below, CITA directs the Commissioner of Customs and 
Border Protection to allow duty-free entry of such products under U.S. 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 9819.11.27 if accompanied by an 
appropriate AGOA visa in grouping ``9''.


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

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection,
Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20229.

    Dear Commissioner: The Committee for the Implementation of 
Textiles Agreements (CITA), pursuant to Sections 112(a) of the 
African Growth and Opportunity Act (Title I of Pub. L. No. 106-200) 
(AGOA) and Executive Order 13191 of January 17, 2001, has 
determined, effective on September 15, 2003, that the following 
articles shall be treated as ``handloomed, handmade, and folklore 
articles'' under the AGOA: (a) handloomed fabrics, handloomed 
articles (e.g., handloomed rugs, scarves, placemats, and 
tablecloths), and hand-made articles made from handloomed fabrics, 
if made in Ghana from fabric handloomed in Ghana; and (b) the 
folklore articles described in the attachment to this letter if made 
in Ghana. Such articles are eligible for duty-free treatment only if 
entered under subheading 9819.11.27 and accompanied by a properly 
completed visa for product grouping ``9'', in accordance with the 
provisions of the Visa Arrangement between the Government of Ghana 
and the Government of the United States Concerning Textile and 
Apparel Articles Claiming Preferential Tariff Treatment under 
Section 112 of the Trade and Development Act of 2000. After 
additional consultations with Ghanaian authorities, CITA may 
determine that other textile and apparel goods shall be treated as 
handloomed, handmade, or folklore articles.

 Sincerely,

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

Attachment

Annex

    CITA has determined that the following textile and apparel goods 
shall be treated as folklore articles for purposes of the AGOA. 
Articles must be ornamented in characteristic Ghanaian or regional folk 
style. An article may not include modern features such as zippers, 
elastic, elasticized fabrics, or hook-and-pile fasteners (such as 
velcro or similar holding fabric). An article may not incorporate 
patterns that are not traditional or historical to Ghana, such as 
airplanes, buses, cowboys, or cartoon characters and may not 
incorporate designs referencing holidays or festivals not common to 
traditional Ghanaian culture, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving.

1. Kente Stole

    Kente is a thin strip of handloomed fabric, usually about 4 to 6 
inches wide and 3 yards long. This stole can either be composed of a 
single strip of such kente fabric or multiple strips of kente fabric 
sewn together to make a wider stole to a standard length of 6 yards for 
women or 12 yards for men. Designs vary from colorful to plain, 
intricate to simple, can be done in a patchwork style (alternating 
blocks), contain decorative metallic threads, and have an elaborate 
border. Patterns vary and are usually colorful. The handloomed kente 
fabric used in a stole can also be a single color, traditionally dyed 
with vegetable dyes.
    The kente stole that consists of multiple strips of such handloomed 
kente strips sewn together are either hand-stitched or machine sewn.

2. Adinkra

    Made of handloomed fabric, usually about 4 to 6 inches wide and 3 
yards long. The cotton fabric is usually plain white or brown and woven 
on a traditional handloom, an adinkra is a fabric that is draped around 
the body. The standard length is 6 yards for women and 12 yards for 
men. Adinkra is usually traditionally dyed a single color with 
vegetable dyes.

3. Agbada

    Agbadas are loose fitting garments traditionally worn by men for 
more formal occasions, in either 2-piece, 3-piece or 4-piece sets, 
consisting of some or all of the following: (a) inner tunic gown, (b) 
trousers, (c) outer gown, (d) cap. This garment can be made from woven 
fabric of any weight and vary in color and design.
    (a) Loose fitting, three-quarter length, embroidered tunic inner 
gown. Sleeves may or may not be present, and may vary in length. 
Patterns and colors vary, but there is usually intricate embroidery 
around the neckline. The neckline can be round or have a slit down the 
center front. May or may not have pockets.
    (b) The trousers may be long or three-quarter length and are 
secured at the waist by a drawstring, are loose-fitting with extra-
fullness at the thighs and may contain side seam pockets.
    (c) Loose flowing, non-tailored, embroidered outer gown is full 
length, and may have pockets, oftentimes located mid-way down the 
garment under the embroidery on the neckline. The neckline can be 
round, v-shaped, be asymmetrically v-shaped, or have a slit down the 
center front.
    (d) The matching cap can be cylindrical or cone-shaped, with or 
without tassel, fitted or floppy.

4. Batakari/Fugu

    Generally from the culture in the north of Ghana, 2-piece, 3-piece 
or 4-piece sets consisting of some or all of the following: (a) inner 
smock (b) trousers, (c) outer smock (d) and cap. The batakari is made 
of handloomed strips of kente fabric, approximately 4 inches in width, 
sewn together, either by machine or hand-stitched. The handloomed 
strips of fabric tend to be plaid-patterned. A ``batakari'' is also 
called a ``fugu'' or a ``smock'' depending on the region in which it 
originates in the northern part of Ghana.
    (a) Loose fitting, three-quarter length, embroidered inner smock. 
Sleeves may or may not be present, and may vary in length. Patterns and 
colors vary, but there is usually intricate embroidery around the 
neckline. The neckline can be round, v-shaped, or have a slit down the 
center front. May or may not have pockets. Tends to be pleated and 
flare halfway down the garment.
    (b) The trousers may be long or three-quarter length and are 
secured at the waist by a drawstring, are loose-fitting with extra-
fullness at the thighs and may have side seam pockets.
    (c) Loose flowing, non-tailored, embroidered outer smock is three-
quarter to full length, can have pockets, oftentimes located mid-way 
down the garment under the embroidery on the neckline, may be pleated 
and flare halfway down the garment. The neckline can be round, v-
shaped, be asymmetrically v-shape, or have a slit down the center 
front. Tends to be

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pleated and flare halfway down the garment.
    (d) The matching cap can be cylindrical or cone-shaped, with or 
without tassel, fitted or floppy.

5. Kaftan

    One-piece, loose-fitting, straight-seamed, long or three-quarter 
length garment is ornamented, such as embroidered at the neckline, 
traditionally worn by women. The neckline can be round, v-shaped, or 
have a slit down the center front. Sleeves vary in length. The garment 
may or may not have slits on each side (from the bottom hem upwards). 
Can include matching strip of fabric to be worn in hair or as a shawl. 
This garment can be made from woven fabric of any weight and vary in 
color and design. May or may not have pockets.

6. Joromi (Men's shirt)

    Loose fitting, straight-seamed shirt. Sleeves may or may not be 
present and may vary in length. Patterns and colors vary, usually with 
intricate ornamentation, such as embroidery, around the neckline. The 
neckline can be round or have a slit down the center front, but does 
not have a collar. May or may not have pockets. May have wooden button 
fastenings below the neckline.

[FR Doc. 03-23454 Filed 9-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-U