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NY I81062




May 17, 2002

CLA2-RR:NC:61:N3-359: I81062

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

Ms. Maryanne Tao
Jiing Sheng (USA) Ltd.
1407 Broadway, Suite 1022
New York, New York 10018

RE: Classification and country of origin determination for women’s knitwear; 19 CFR 102.21(c)(3)

Dear Ms. Tao:

This is in reply to your letter dated April 18, 2002, requesting a classification and country of origin determination for a sample of women’s knitwear which will be imported into the United States. You submitted a sample of a knitted garment, as well as the component panels from which it was formed. All this material is returned as you requested.

FACTS:
The subject merchandise consists of Style JSVM 001, which is a woman’s knitted, short sleeved pullover with a johnny collar, a three button opening that starts at the neckline. It has a right over left front placket and a rib knit waistband at the bottom. The sleeve ends have a tubular finish. The shoulders have pointelle holes along the cut for the raglan sleeves. The fiber content is 100% cotton. The jersey knitted fabric of the pullover has more than nine stitches per two centimeters, measured in the direction in which the stitches were formed.

The component panels of the pullover consist of the following:

Front Panel
-self-start bottom
-self-finished sides
-armholes and neckline contoured to shape during the knitting process

Back Panel
-same as the front panel

Two Sleeve Panels
-self-start ends
-self-finished sides
-contoured to shape during the knitting process at the point of joining to the body

Strips of Narrow Fabric for the Collar and Placket

For the purpose of determining the country of origin of the pullover, we note that all of the component panels (the major parts, i.e., the front and back panels and the sleeve panels) are considered knit-to-shape panels, and that, therefore, the pullover is a knit-to-shape garment.

The manufacturing operations for the woman’s knitted pullover are as follows:

In Vietnam
All panels are knit to shape

In China
The panels are assembled into the finished garment.

ISSUE:

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

CLASSIFICATION:

The applicable subheading for the pullover, Style JSVM 001, will be 6110.20.2075, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for sweaters, pullovers---and similar articles, knitted or crocheted: of cotton: other: other: other: women’s. The rate of duty will be 17.3% ad valorem.

The pullover falls within textile category designation 339. 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

6110.20.2075 If the good is knit to shape, a change to heading 6101 through 6117 from any heading outside that group, provided that the knit-to-shape components are knit in a single country, territory or insular possession.

Section 102.21(e) states that, for garments which are knit to shape, the tariff shift to heading 6101 through heading 6117 must take place from any heading outside that group. However, the instant tariff shift occurs within that group, i.e., from the panels of heading 6117 to the finished garment of heading 6110. Accordingly, as the required tariff shift does not take place, 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.

As the subject merchandise is knit to shape, and as it is knitted in a single country, viz., Vietnam, Section 102.21(c)(3) applies.

HOLDING:

The country of origin of the woman’s knitted pullover, Style JSVM 001, is Vietnam. Based upon international textile trade agreements this product of Vietnam is neither subject to quota nor 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 Mike Crowley at 646-733-3049.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,

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