[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77389-77390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21992]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Determination under the African Growth and Opportunity Act

December 18, 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 additional textile and apparel goods 
from the United Republic of Tanzania 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 Tanzania with an appropriate 
visa will qualify for duty-free treatment.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 10, 2007

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: 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.  3721(a) and 
(b)(6)); Sections 2 and 5 of Executive Order No. 13191 of January 
17, 2001; Sections 25-27 and Paras. 13-14 of Presidential 
Proclamation 7912 of 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 textile 
and apparel products made in the beneficiary sub-Saharan African 
countries that may be eligible for the preferential treatment described 
in section 112(a) of the AGOA. In Executive Order 13191 (January 17,

[[Page 77390]]

2001) and Presidential Proclamation 7912 (June 29, 2005), 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, folklore 
articles, or ethnic printed fabrics. (66 FR 7271-72 and 70 FR 37959, 
37961 & 63)
    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, folklore articles, or ethnic printed 
fabrics.
    CITA has consulted with Tanzanian authorities and has previously 
determined that handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g., 
handloomed rugs, scarves, place mats, and tablecloths), handmade 
articles made from handloomed fabrics, and certain folklore articles 
are eligible for preferential treatment (69 FR 54268). This directive 
expands Tanzania's existing Category 9 treatment to include certain 
ethnic printed fabrics described in Annex A to this notice, if produced 
in and exported from Tanzania. These goods are eligible for 
preferential tariff treatment under section 112(a) of the AGOA, as 
amended. 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''.

Philip J. Martello,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

December 18, 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.  
3721(a) and (b)(6)), Executive Order No. 13191 of January 17, 2001, 
and Presidential Proclamation 7912 of June 29, 2005, has determined, 
effective on January 10, 2007, that ethnic printed fabrics described 
in Annex A 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 the United 
Republic of Tanzania 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 Tanzanian authorities, CITA 
may determine that additional textile and apparel goods shall be 
treated as folklore articles or ethnic printed fabrics.
    Sincerely,
Philip J. Martello,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.
ANNEX A: Tanzanian Ethnic Printed Fabrics: the Khanga
Each Khanga must meet all of the criteria listed below:
    A) selvedge on both edges
    B) width of less than 50 inches
    C) classifiable under subheading 5208.52.30 \1\ or 5208.52.40 
\2\ of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
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    \1\ printed plain weave fabrics of cotton, 85% or more cotton by 
weight, weighing over 100g/m2 but not more than 200 g/m2, of yarn 
number 42 or lower
    \2\ printed plain weave fabrics of cotton, 85% or more cotton by 
weight, weighing over 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2, of yarn 
numbers 43-68
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    D) contains designs, symbols, and other characteristics of 
African prints normally produced for and sold in Africa by the piece 
(each fixed length measures approximately 3.35 meters long by 1.15 
meters wide).
    E) each design contains a two matching panels with center 
motifs, matching borders, and wording representing a saying in 
Swahili or other language. These panels are sold in a pair.
    F) made from fabric woven in the U.S. using U.S. yarn or woven 
in one or more eligible sub-Saharan beneficiary countries using U.S 
or African yarn
    G) printed, including waxed, in one or more eligible sub-Saharan 
beneficiary countries
    H) must be manufactured by one of the companies listed below:
     i. Urafiki - Tanzania China Friendship Textile Factory
     ii. Karibu Textile Mills
     iii. Lakhani Industries
     iv. Nida Industries (Formerly Sunguratex)
     v. African Pride
     vi. Morogoro Polyester
     vii. Mohamed Enterprises (Formerly Seifee Industry)
     viii. Musoma Textile Factory
     ix. Mwanza Textile Factory
[FR Doc. E6-21992 Filed 12-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S