Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

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

Ref : EIC 111/2/17

 20 February 2006

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 66/2006

US : US/Mainland Memorandum of Understanding on Textiles- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide guidance on the implementation of the US/Mainland Memorandum of Understanding concerning Trade in Textile and Apparel Products (MOU) which was effective on 1 January 2006.

DETAILS

2. The FAQs (a copy is at Annex (pdf format) ) consist of six sections:

1. Textile products subject to quota from China;
2. Certain knit to shape garments of Heading 6110;
3. Window shades and window blinds in Category 666;
4. Certain ski/snowboard pants in Category 647/648;
5. Babies' socks and booties; and
6. Manufacturer Identification Code (MID), ELVIS and paper visas.

3. Traders may note from Section (2) of the FAQs, "Certain knit to shape garments of Heading 6110", that the additional statistical note 6 under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Chapter 61¹ was said to be amended to the following :

For the purposes of statistical reporting under heading 6110, the term "knit to shape" means garments knit to shape on flat-knitting machines, having a stitch count exceeding 9 stitches per 2 centimeters, but less than or equal to 18 stitches per 2 centimeters, measured on the outer surface of the fabric, in the direction in which the stitches are formed. For purposes of this statistical note, in the instances where both knit and purl stitches are usually counted, the purl stitches will be disregarded, and only the knit stitches on the outer surfaces of the fabric will be counted. All of the garment's components, which include, but are not limited to, collars, plackets, cuffs, waistbands and pockets, are knit to shape. All of the components are assembled by looping and linking, including the side seams.

Besides, some useful information could also be found in Section (2) of the FAQs which includes, for instances, the definition of the revised note 6, examples of garments that could/could not fall under note 6, details of importing procedures for such garments etc..

4. Since CBP would update the FAQs from time to time, traders are advised to visit the relevant website at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/china_mou/ for the latest FAQs and other useful information regarding the MOU.

ENQUIRIES

5. 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

¹A new additional statistical note 6 and 12 new tariff numbers have been introduced for the exclusion from import quota limits of certain Chinese-origin fine-gauge knit-to-shape items in Categories 338/339 and 638/639. For details, traders may refer to Commercial Information Circular No. 10/2006 dated 6 January 2006.

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.