[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 95 (Monday, May 17, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 27896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11122]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Amendment of Coverage of Import Limit, Visa, and Electronic Visa 
Information System (ELVIS) Requirements for Certain Gloves Produced or 
Manufactured in Various Countries

May 10, 2004.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Issuing a directive to the Commissioner, Bureau of Customs and 
Border Protection amending coverage of an import limit, visa, and ELVIS 
requirements for certain gloves.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: May 17, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Walsh, 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.
    From at least 1996, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP)classified various styles of ``mechanics' gloves'' (gloves 
specifically and demonstrably designed for use by professional 
mechanics and racing enthusiasts during racing) in subheading 
6216.00.4600 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTS), which provides for ``gloves, mittens and mitts: other: of man-
made-fibers: . . . designed for use in sports, . . .''. This HTS 
provision has never fallen within the U.S. textile category structure. 
On September 24, 2003, CBP revoked prior Customs rulings on mechanics' 
gloves, reclassifying them in HTS 6216.00.5820, which falls under 
textile category 631. (HQ 966648 September 10, 2003). There were 
minimal imports classified in HTS 6216.00.5820 prior to the effective 
date of the reclassification.
    To reflect this reclassification, and to maintain the balance 
ofconcessions negotiated under the World Trade Organization Agreement 
onTextiles and Clothing, CITA is eliminating quota, visa, and ELVIS 
requirements for HTS 6216.00.5820. In the letter published below, the 
Chairman of CITA directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and 
Border Protection to eliminate quota, visa, and ELVIS requirements for 
goods classified in HTS 6216.00.5820. This action applies to goods 
exported on or after May 17, 2004.

James C. Leonard III,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

May 10, 2004.

Commissioner,
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Washington, DC 20229.
    This directive amends, but does not cancel, all monitoring and 
import control directives, all visa, and ELVIS requirement 
directives, issued to you by the Chairman, Committee for the 
Implementation of Textile Agreements, which include man-made fiber 
textile products in Category 631, produced or manufactured in 
various countries.
    Effective on May 17, 2004, you are directed to eliminate quota, 
visa, and ELVIS requirements for HTSUS  6216.00.5820 in 
Category 631 for goods exported on or after May 17, 2004.
    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,
James C. Leonard III,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 04-11122 Filed 5-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-S