[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 1 (Monday, January 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78-79]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28715]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Determination Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act

December 23, 2004.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

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 
Mozambique 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 
Mozambique with an appropriate AGOA visa will qualify for duty-free 
treatment.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 10, 2005

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Title I of 
the Trade and Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 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 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 Mozambican authorities, and has determined 
that handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g., handloomed rugs, 
scarves, place mats, and tablecloths), handmade

[[Page 79]]

articles made from handloomed fabrics, and the folklore articles 
described in the annex to this notice, if produced in and exported from 
Mozambique, 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

December 23, 2004.

Commissioner,
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, 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 January 10, 2005, 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 handmade articles made from handloomed fabrics, if 
made in Mozambique from fabric handloomed in Mozambique; and (b) the 
folklore articles described in the attachment to this letter, if 
made in Mozambique. 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 Mozambique 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 Mozambican authorities, 
CITA may determine that other textile and apparel goods shall be 
treated as folklore articles.
    Sincerely,
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.

ANNEX

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

Eligible folklore articles:

(a) Traditional Shirt
The article is a loose-fitting, straight-seamed shirt made of tie-
dyed fabric. Sleeves are half to three-quarter in length. The 
neckline is rounded, slit, or v-shaped without collar. There is 
intricate embroidery around the neckline, outer trim of sleeves, and 
lower hem. May or may not have square-shaped breast and lower front 
pockets, also generally trimmed with intricate embroidery.

(b) Women's Traditional Tunic/ Mozambican Peda[ccedil]os

A loose flowing, straight-seamed, non-tailored, full-length outer 
tunic, made of tie-dyed or other colorful fabric. The neckline is 
rounded, slit, or v-shaped, without collar. There is intricate 
embroidery around the neckline and outer trim of sleeves. The 
neckline can be round or have a slit down the center front. 
Accompanying head wrap is a rectangular piece of matching fabric.
[FR Doc. 04-28715 Filed 12-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S