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NY I80142




April 5, 2002

CLA2-RR:NC:WA:355 I80142

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

Mr. Anthony A. Tonucci
Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP 245 Park Avenue, 33rd flr
New York, NY 10167-3397

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

Dear Mr. Tonucci:

This letter is issued to replace NY ruling H89039. That ruling stated that the fabric was assumed to be formed and cut in Malaysia. You have since informed this office that the fabric is formed in Israel, then shipped to Malaysia to be cut into component parts. This change of fact does not alter the outcome of this ruling. The letter with appropriate changes follows:

This is in reply to your letter dated March 6, 2002, requesting a classification and country of origin determination for men’s woven trousers which will be imported into the United States. This request was made on behalf of F.Y. Singapore Garments Pte Ltd.

FACTS:

The subject merchandise consists of men’s trousers made of 96 percent wool and 4 percent spandex woven fabric. The sample is identified as representing style numbers 149347 and 149348. The pants feature a zippered fly front, a waistband with six belt loops, two side slash pockets, two back welt pockets, one with a buttoned closure, and hemmed leg openings. You state that the fabric is formed in Israel. You do not state if the fabric is made of worsted wool, made of wool yarn having an average fiber diameter of 18.5 microns or less. For purposes of this ruling, we will assume that the average fiber diameter exceeds 18.5 microns.

The manufacturing operations for the trousers are as follows:

ISRAEL:

1.) The fabric is formed

MALAYSIA:

The fabric is cut into component parts
The left fly and zipper are formed and attached The right fly is sewn
The front and back pockets are formed and attached The lining is attached to the front panels The waistband and belt loops are cut and sewn

SINGAPORE

The zipper is attached to the right fly
The right and left front panels are joined (the front rise is formed) The right and left back panels are joined (the back rise is formed) The front and back panels are joined to each other by sewing the side seams and the inseams

MALAYSIA

The waistband and belt loops are attached The legs are hemmed
The buttonholes are formed and the buttons are attached The assembled garment undergoes finishing and packaging operations

ISSUE:

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

CLASSIFICATION:

The applicable subheading for the trousers will be 6203.41.1810, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for men’s or boys’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, of wool or fine animal hair, other, trousers and breeches, men’s. The rate of duty will be 44.1 cents/kg plus 17.2 percent ad valorem.

The trousers fall within textile category designation 447. The designated textile and apparel categories and their quota and visa status are the result of international agreements that are subject to frequent renegotiations and changes. To obtain the most current information, we suggest that you check, close to the time of shipment, the U.S. Customs Service Textile Status Report, an internal issuance of the U.S. Customs Service, which is available at the Customs Web Site at WWW.CUSTOMS.GOV. In addition, 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 and should also be verified at the time of shipment.

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":

HTSUS Tariff shift and/or other requirements

6201- 6208 If the good consists of two or more component parts, a change to as 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.

Section 102.21(e) states that the trousers must be completely assembled in one country. Accordingly, as the garment does not meet this requirement, 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, "Where 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 subject merchandise, attaching the zipper to the right fly, joining the right and left front panels (forming the front rise), joining the right and left back panels (forming the back rise), and joining the inner and outer seams constitute the most important assembly processes. Accordingly, the country of origin of the trousers is Singapore.

HOLDING:

The country of origin of the trousers is Singapore. Based upon international textile trade agreements products of Singapore 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 section 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 Camille R. Ferraro at 646-733-3046.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,

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