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NY E87550




October 7, 1999

CLA2-RR:NC:TA:355 E87550

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

Mr. Alan R. Klestadt
Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz & Silverman LLP 245 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10167-3397

RE: Classification and country of origin determination for men’s woven cotton pants; 19 CFR 102.21(c)(4)

Dear Mr. Klestadt:

This is in reply to your letter dated September 14, 1999, requesting a classification and country of origin determination for men’s woven cotton pants which will be imported into the United States. Your samples are being returned.

FACTS:

The subject merchandise consists of men’s woven cotton pants.

The manufacturing operations for the pants are as follows: Styles 711722 and 711723

Malaysia:

1) Piece goods cut into shaped components. 2) Left fly and zipper are formed and attached. 3) Front and back pockets formed and attached. 4) Belt loops cut and sewn.
Singapore:

1) Attach zipper to right fly.
2) Join left and right front panels.
3) Join right and left back body panels.
4) Join front and back panels-stitching sideseams and inseams.

Malaysia:

1) Join waistband to front and back panels and attach belt loops. 2) Hem leg.
3) Sew buttonholes and buttons.
4) Assembled garment undergoes finishing and packing operations. Style 711817:

Malaysia:

1) Piece goods are cut into shaped components. 2) Left fly and zipper are formed and attached. 3) Front and back pockets are formed and attached and snap is attached to back pockets.

Singapore:

1)Attach zipper to right fly.
2)Join right and left front panels.
3)Join right and left back body panels.
4)Join front and back inseams.

Malaysia:

1)Join waistband to front and back panels, attach eyelets and elastic drawstring. 2) Hem leg.
3) Assembled garment undergoes finishing and packing operations.

ISSUE:

What are the classification and country of origin of the subject merchandise?

CLASSIFICATION:

The applicable subheading for the submitted samples will be 6203.42.4015, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for men’s woven cotton pants. The rate of duty will be 17.2% ad valorem.

The submitted samples fall within textile category designation 347. The designated textile and apparel categories may be subdivided into parts. If so, visa and quota requirements applicable to the subject merchandise may be affected. Part categories are the result of international bilateral agreements which are subject to frequent renegotiations and changes. To obtain the most current information available, we suggest that you check, close to the time of shipment, the Status Report on Current Import Quotas (Restraint Levels), an internal issuance of the U.S. Customs Service, which is available for inspection at your local Customs office.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - LAW AND ANALYSIS:

On December 8, 1994, the President signed into law the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Section 334 of that Act (codified at 19 U.S.C. 3592) provides new rules of origin for textiles and apparel entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption, on and after July 1, 1996. On September 5, 1995, Customs published Section 102.21, Customs Regulations, in the Federal Register, implementing Section 334 (60 FR 46188). Thus, effective July 1, 1996, the country of origin of a textile or apparel product shall be determined by sequential application of the general rules set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of Section 102.21.

Paragraph (c)(1) states that "The country of origin of a textile or apparel product is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was wholly obtained or produced." As the subject merchandise is not wholly obtained or produced in a single country, territory or insular possession, paragraph (c)(1) of Section 102.21 is inapplicable.

Paragraph (c)(2) states that "Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which each of the foreign materials incorporated in that good underwent an applicable change in tariff classification, and/or met any other requirement, specified for the good in paragraph (e) of this section:"

Paragraph (e) in pertinent part states that "The following rules shall apply for purposes of determining the country of origin of a textile or apparel product under paragraph (c)(2) of this section":

Copy the tariff shift rule for the applicable subheading: HTSUS Tariff shift and/or other requirements

6201-6208 If the good consists of two or more component parts, a change to an assembled good of heading 6201 through 6208 from unassembled components, provided that the change is the result of the good being wholly assembled in a single country, territory or insular possession.

As the garments are not wholly assembled in a single country, Section 102.21(c)(2) is inapplicable.

Section 102.21(c)(3) states that, "Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section":

(i) If the good was knit to shape, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was knit; or

(ii) Except for goods of heading 5609, 5807, 5811, 6213, 6214, 6301 through 6306, and 6308, and subheadings 6209.20.5040, 6307.10, 6307.90, and 9404.90, if the good was not knit to shape and the good was wholly assembled in a single country, territory, or insular possession, the country of origin of the good is the country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was wholly assembled.

As the subject merchandise is neither knit, nor wholly assembled in a single country, Section 102.21 (c)(3) is inapplicable.

Section 102.21 (c)(4) states, AWhere the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c)(1), (2) or (3) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory or insular possession in which the most important assembly or manufacturing process occurred@.

In the case of the three samples submitted steps, 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Singapore, constitute the most important assembly processes. Accordingly, the country of origin of the three samples is Singapore.

HOLDING:

The country of origin of the three submitted samples is Singapore. Based upon international textile trade agreements products of are subject to quota and the requirement of a visa.

The holding set forth above applies only to the specific factual situation and merchandise identified in the ruling request. This position is clearly set forth in section 19 CFR 177.9(b)(1). This sections states that a ruling letter, either directly, by reference, or by implication, is accurate and complete in every material respect.

This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177). Should it be subsequently determined that the information furnished is not complete and does not comply with 19 CFR 177.9(b)(1), the ruling will be subject to modification or revocation. In the event there is a change in the facts previously furnished, this may affect the determination of country of origin. Accordingly, if there is any change in the facts submitted to Customs, it is recommended that a new ruling request be submitted in accordance with 19 CFR 177.2.

A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Gerard Shea at 212-637-7082.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,

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