[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 170 (Friday, September 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 52366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-4825]



[[Page 52366]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Allocation of a Tariff 
Rate Quota on the Import of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics to Persons Who 
Weave Such Fabrics in the United States

AGENCY: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.

ACTION: The Department of Commerce (Department) is soliciting 
applications for an allocation of the 2006 tariff rate quotas on 
certain worsted wool fabric to persons who weave such fabrics in the 
United States.

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SUMMARY: The Department hereby solicits applications from persons 
(including firms, corporations, or other legal entities) who weave 
worsted wool fabrics in the United States for an allocation of the 2006 
tariff rate quota on certain worsted wool fabric. Interested persons 
must submit an application on the form provided to the address listed 
below by October 3, 2005. The Department will cause to be published in 
the Federal Register its determination to allocate the 2006 tariff rate 
quotas and will notify applicants of their respective allocation as 
soon as possible after that date. Promptly thereafter, the Department 
will issue licenses to eligible applicants.

DATES: To be considered, applications must be received or postmarked by 
5 p.m. on October 3, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to the Industry Assessment 
Division, Office of Textiles, Apparel and Consumer Goods Industries, 
Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230 
(telephone: (202) 482-4058). Application forms may be obtained from 
that office (via facsimile or mail) or from the following Internet 
address: http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/wooltrq.nsf/TRQApp/fabric.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sergio Botero, Office of Textiles and 
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-4058.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (the Act) created 
two tariff rate quotas (TRQs), providing for temporary reductions in 
the import duties on limited quantities of two categories of worsted 
wool fabrics suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or 
trousers: (1) for worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters 
greater than 18.5 microns (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (HTS) heading 9902.51.11); and (2) for worsted wool fabric with 
average fiber diameters of 18.5 microns or less (HTS heading 
9902.51.12). On August 6, 2002, President Bush signed into law the 
Trade Act of 2002, which includes several amendments to Title V of the 
Act. On December 3, 2004, the Act was further amended pursuant to the 
Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004, Public Law 108-429. The 2004 amendment 
includes authority for the Department to allocate a TRQ for new HTS 
category, HTS 9902.51.16. This HTS category refers to worsted wool 
fabric with average fiber diameter of 18.5 microns or less. The 
amendment further provides that HTS 9902.51.16 is for the benefit of 
persons (including firms, corporations, or other legal entities) who 
weave such worsted wool fabric in the United States that is suitable 
for making men's and boys' suits. The TRQ for HTS 9902.51.16 will 
provide for temporary reductions in the import duties on 2,000,000 
square meters annually for 2005 and 2006.
    The amendment requires that the TRQ be allocated to persons who 
weave worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameter of 18.5 microns 
or less, which is suitable for use in making men's and boys' suits, in 
the United States. On May 16, 2005, the Department published 
regulations establishing procedures for allocating the TRQ. 70 FR 
25774, 15 CFR 335. In order to be eligible for an allocation, an 
applicant must submit an application on the form provided at http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/wooltrq.nsf/TRQApp/fabric to the address listed 
above by 5 p.m. on October 3, 2005 in compliance with the requirements 
of 15 CFR 335. Any business confidential information that is marked 
business confidential will be kept confidential and protected from 
disclosure to the full extent permitted by law.

    Dated: August 29, 2005.
Philip J. Martello,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel.
[FR Doc. E5-4825 Filed 9-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS