[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 172 (Thursday, September 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 51631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20538]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Allocation of Tariff 
Rate Quotas 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 2009 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 2009 
tariff rate quotas on certain worsted wool fabric. Interested persons 
must submit an application on the form provided to the address listed 
below by October 6, 2008. The Department will cause to be published in 
the Federal Register its determination to allocate the 2009 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 6, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to the Office of Textiles and 
Apparel, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, 
D.C. 20230 (telephone: (202) 482-3400). 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: Robert Carrigg, Office of Textiles and 
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-2573.

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 
included 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 provided 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 provided 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 August 17, 2006, the 
Act was further amended pursuant to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, 
Public Law 109-280, which extended the TRQ for HTS 9902.51.16 through 
2009.
    On October 24, 2005, the Department adopted final regulations 
establishing procedures for allocating the TRQ. See 70 FR 61363; 19 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 6, 2008 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, 2008.
R. Matthew Priest,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel.
[FR Doc. E8-20538 Filed 9-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS