[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40701-40702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6299]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Determination under the African Growth and Opportunity Act

July 12, 2006.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA)

ACTION: Directive to the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection.

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

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 17, 2006.

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: Sections 112(a) and 112(b)(6) of the African Growth 
and Opportunity Act (Title I of the Trade and Development Act of 
2000, Pub. L. No. 106-200) (``AGOA''), as amended by Section 7(c) of 
the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-274) (``AGOA 
Acceleration Act'') (19 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  3721(a) and (b)(6)); 
Sections 2 and 5 of Executive Order No. 13191 dated January 17, 
2001; Sections 25-27 and Paras. 13-14 of Presidential Proclamation 
7912 dated June 29, 2005.
    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. The AGOA Acceleration Act further 
expanded AGOA by adding ethnic printed fabrics to the list of products 
eligible for the preferential treatment described in section 112(a) of 
the AGOA. In Executive Order 13191 and Presidential Proclamation 7912, 
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 handloomed, handmade, folklore 
articles, or ethnic printed fabrics. See Executive Order 13191, 66 FR 
7271, 7272 (January 22, 2001); Presidential Proclamation 7912, 70 FR 
37959, 37961 & 63 (June 30, 2005).
    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, hand-loomed, folklore articles, or ethnic 
printed fabrics.
    CITA has consulted with Malagasy authorities and has determined 
that handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g., handloomed rugs, 
scarves, place mats, and tablecloths), and handmade articles made from 
handloomed fabrics, if produced in and exported from Madagascar, are 
eligible for preferential tariff treatment under section 112(a) of the 
AGOA, as amended. After further consultations with Malagasy 
authorities, CITA may determine that additional textile and apparel 
goods shall be treated as folklore articles or ethnic printed fabrics. 
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''.

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

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

July 12, 2006.

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) and 
(b)(6) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Title I of the 
Trade and Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-200) (``AGOA''), 
as amended by Section 7(c) of the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 
(Pub. L. 108-274) (``AGOA Acceleration Act'') (19 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  
3721(a) and (b)(6)), Executive Order No. 13191 dated January 17, 
2001, and Presidential Proclamation 7912 dated June 29, 2005, has 
determined, effective on July 17, 2006, that the following articles 
shall be treated as articles eligible under Category 9 of the AGOA: 
handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g., handloomed rugs, 
scarves, placemats, and tablecloths), and handmade articles made 
from handloomed fabrics, if made in Madagascar from fabric

[[Page 40702]]

handloomed in Madagascar. 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 Madagascar 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 further consultations with Malagasy authorities, CITA 
may determine that additional textile and apparel goods shall be 
treated as folklore articles or ethnic printed fabrics.
    Sincerely,
James C. Leonard III,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 06-6299 Filed 7-13-06; 3:17 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS