United States International Trade Commision Rulings And Harmonized Tariff Schedule
faqs.org  Rulings By Number  Rulings By Category  Tariff Numbers
faqs.org > Rulings and Tariffs Home > Rulings By Number > 2003 NY Rulings > NY J86751 - NY J86796 > NY J86796

Previous Ruling Next Ruling
NY J86796




August 21, 2003

CLA2-RR:NC:61:N3: J86796

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

Ms. Melissa Weiss
Barthco Trade Consultants
721 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

RE: Classification, country of origin determination and eligibility under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for two women’s knit shirts; 19 CFR 102.21(c)(2).

Dear Ms. Weiss:

This is in reply to your letter dated July 16, 2003 requesting a classification, country of origin and AGOA determination, for two women’s knit shirts on behalf of Leonard Feinberg, Inc. The submitted samples will be returned, as you requested.

FACTS:

Style DLS4008-09P is constructed from 60 percent cotton, 40 percent polyester knit fabric with more than ten stitches per centimeter counted in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The sleeveless garment has a rounded neckline, a partial placket opening with five-button closure, and a hemmed bottom with three-inch side slits. The neckline and armholes have a scalloped edge effect created by stitches.

Style DLS4001-09L is constructed from 60 percent cotton, 40 percent polyester knit fabric with more than ten stitches per centimeter counted in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The short sleeve garment has a rounded neckline, a front slit opening with a ribbon closure at the top, and a plain, hemmed bottom. The neckline and slit opening are decorated with an inserted ribbon (narrow woven fabric approximately 4mm in width).

You have indicated that the fabric for both garments will be made in China, then sent to Botswana, where the fabric will be cut into components and assembled into the completed articles. You have also indicated that the buttons for style DLS4008-09P will be made in China. However, you have not indicated where the sewing thread and ribbon will originate.

ISSUE:

What are the classification, country of origin, and AGOA eligibility of the subject merchandise?

CLASSIFICATION:

The applicable subheading for the shirts will be 6106.10.0010, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for women’s and girls’ blouses and shirts, knitted or crocheted: Of cotton. The general rate of duty is 19.8% ad valorem.

The shirts fall 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:

Section 334 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (codified at 19 U.S.C. 3592), enacted on December 8, 1994, provided rules of origin for textiles and apparel entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on and after July 1, 1996. Section 102.21, Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 102.21), published September 5, 1995, in the Federal Register, implements Section 334 (60 FR 46188). Section 334 of the URAA was amended by section 405 of the Trade and Development Act of 2000, enacted on May 18, 2000, and accordingly, section 102.21 was amended (68 Fed. Reg. 8711). Thus, the country of origin of a textile or apparel product shall be determined by the 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 6101–6117
If the good is not knit to shape and consists of two or more component parts, except for goods of subheading 6117.10 provided for in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, a change to an assembled good of heading 6101 through 6117 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 shirts are not knit to shape, consist of two or more components, and are wholly assembled in a single country, territory or insular possession, the terms of the tariff shift are met. The country of origin is Botswana, the country in which the garments are wholly assembled.

HOLDING:

The country of origin of the women’s shirts is Botswana. Based upon international textile trade agreements products of Botswana are not subject to quota and the requirement of a visa.

Concerning the AGOA, based on the information that you supplied, and provided all requirements are met, the shirts are eligible for duty free treatment under subheading 9819.11.12, HTSUS, which provides for: Apparel articles wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape and wholly assembled, or both, in one or more such lesser developed countries enumerated in U.S. note 2(d) to this subchapter, subject to the provisions of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter, regardless of the country of origin of the fabric or the yarn used to make such articles, if entered during the period beginning on the date announced in a Federal Register notice issued by the United States Trade Representative and continuing through September 30, 2004, inclusive .

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 Angela De Gaetano at 646-733-3052.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,

Previous Ruling Next Ruling

See also: