[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 111 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33483-33484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9029]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-475]


Probable Effect of Proposed Definitions for Certain Baby Socks

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and request for public comments.

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DATES: Effective Date: June 5, 2006.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request from the United States Trade 
Representative (USTR) on May 26, 2006, the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-475, Probable Effect of Proposed Definitions for 
Certain Baby Socks, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 
U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leader, Mrs. Jackie Jones, 
Office of Industries (202-205-3466; [email protected]). For 
information on legal aspects, contact William Gearhart of the Office of 
the General Counsel (202-205-3091; [email protected]). The 
media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations 
(202-205-1819; [email protected]).
    Background: In his letter, the USTR requested that the Commission 
provide advice as to the probable effect of each of two proposed 
definitions for babies' booties on U.S. imports from China, on total 
U.S. imports, and on domestic producers of the affected articles. In an 
attachment to the request letter, the USTR provided two proposed 
definitions for babies' booties classifiable in heading 6111 of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), as follows:

Proposed Definition Number One

    For purposes of heading 6111, babies' booties are knitted or 
crocheted foot coverings without an applied sole glued, sewn or 
otherwise affixed to the upper. These articles have bulky 
embellishments, such as rattles or other attachments, which preclude 
wearing inside of footwear.

Proposed Definition Number Two

    For purposes of heading 6111, babies' booties are knitted or 
crocheted foot coverings without an applied sole glued, sewn or 
otherwise affixed to the uppers. These articles have embellishments, 
such as rattles, lace, appliqu[eacute]s, skid-proofing or kick-proofing 
properties.
    As requested, the Commission will submit its advice to the USTR at 
the earliest possible date, but not later than 3 months following 
receipt of the letter, or by August 25, 2006. Also as requested, the 
Commission will issue, as soon as possible thereafter, a public version 
of the report with any business confidential information deleted.
    In the request letter, the USTR referred to the Memorandum of 
Understanding Between the Governments of the United States of America 
and the People's Republic of China Concerning Trade in Textile and 
Apparel Products (``MOU''), which entered into force on January 1, 
2006, and established annual quantitative restraints on U.S. imports of 
certain textile and apparel products originating in China through 2008. 
In the request letter, the USTR stated that one such quantitative 
restraint covers category 332/432/632 (hosiery of cotton wool, and 
manmade fibers), and includes a sublimit on category 332/432/632--part. 
According to the request letter and the MOU, the quantitative restraint 
and sublimit on hosiery from China also cover the babies' socks and 
booties of heading 6111 (category 239).
    Written Submissions: No public hearing is planned. However, 
interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning 
the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this 
investigation. Submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United 
States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 
20436. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written 
statements related to the Commission's report should be submitted to 
the Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no 
later than 5:15 p.m., July 11, 2006.
    All written submissions must conform with the provisions of section 
201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 
201.8). Section 201.8 of the rules requires that a signed original (or 
copy designated as an original) and fourteen (14) copies of each 
document be filed. In the event that confidential treatment of the 
document is requested, at least four (4) additional copies must be 
filed, in which the confidential business information must be deleted 
(see the following paragraph for further information regarding 
confidential business information). The Commission's rules do not 
authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or 
electronic means, except to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of 
the rules (see Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf). Persons 
with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary 
(202-205-2000 or [email protected]).
    Any submissions that contain confidential business information must 
also conform with the requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the 
rules requires that the cover of the document and the individual pages 
be clearly marked as to whether they are the ``confidential'' or 
``nonconfidential'' version, and that the confidential business 
information be clearly identified by means of brackets. All written 
submissions, except for confidential business information, will be made 
available in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission for 
inspection by interested parties.
    The Commission may include some or all of the confidential business 
information submitted in the course of this investigation in the report 
it sends to the USTR and the President. As requested by the USTR, the 
Commission will publish a public version of the report. However, in the 
public version, the Commission will not publish confidential business 
information in a manner that would reveal the operations of the firm 
supplying the information.
    The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the 
Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) http://edis.usitc.gov. Hearing 
impaired individuals may obtain information on this matter by 
contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810. Persons with 
mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access 
to the

[[Page 33484]]

Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000.

    Issued: June 6, 2006.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
 [FR Doc. E6-9029 Filed 6-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P