Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/2/17
        EIC 111/3/13

13 July 2006

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 257/2006

US : Modified Quota Exemption Scope for Chinese Ski/Snowboard Pants 

The Statistical Note 4 in Chapter 62 of the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS), which is relevant to the scope of Chinese-origin ski/snowboard pants exempt from import quota, has recently been modified.

Details

2. The Memorandum of Understanding concerning Trade in Textile and Apparel Products signed by the US and the Mainland provides quota exemption for certain Chinese-origin ski/snowboard pants in Categories 647/648. To be exempt from quota restriction, the ski/snowboard pants must: 

1. be of HTSUS numbers 6203.43.3510, 6204.63.3010, 6210.40.5031, 6210.50.5031, 6211.20.1525 or 6211.20.1555; and 
   
2. meet the requirements as stated under Statistical Note 4 as appropriate.

3. The Statistical Note 4 has recently been modified to :

"For the purpose of statistical reporting numbers subheadings 6203.43.3510, 6204.63.3010, 6210.40.5031 and 6210.50.5031, the term "ski/snowboard pants' means ankle-length pants made of synthetic fabrics with or without insulation for cold weather protection, with pockets, at least one of which has a zippered or hook and loop closure, sealed seams at the front (up to the zipper or other means of closure) and back rise, hidden leg sleeves with a means of tightening at the ankle, and with one or more of the following: side openings, scuff guards or reinforcement in the seat. A sealed seam is sealed by means of taping, gluing, bonding, cementing, fusing or similar process so that air and water cannot pass through."

When compared to its previous version ^Note, the revised Statistical Note 4 has clarified the requirements for enclosed pockets and sealed seams for ski/snowboard pants.

ENQUIRIES

4. For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact Miss S Y TANG at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,

(Ms Charmaine LO)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note : Statistical Note 4 was previously read as :
"For the purpose of subheadings 6203.43.35.10, 6204.63.3010, 6210.40.5031 and 6210.50.5031, the term "ski/snowboard pants" means ankle-length pants made of synthetic fabrics, with or without insulation for cold weather protection, with zippered or hook and loop enclosed pockets, sealed seams and hidden elastic leg sleeves, and with one or more of the following: side openings, scuff guards or reinforcement in the seat. A sealed seam in one that had been covered, on the back side of the fabric, with tape or a coating to "bridge" the seam so that air and water cannot pass through. The tape or coating may be applied using heat and/or pressure."

Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.