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Notice
to Exporters
Ref.: EIC 111/10/1/31
IV
Date
: 23 September 1995
Dear Sirs,
Notice
of Exporters : Series 1 (USA) No. 59/95
Export
of Textiles to the USA
Uruguay
Round Agreements Act (URAA)
Origin
Rules for Textiles and Apparel Products
Please refer to Notice
to Exporters : Series 1 (USA) No. 35/95 dated 15 June 1995 which informed,
among other things, that the US Customs had published proposed rules implementing
the country of origin provisions for imported textiles and apparel in
the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) and invited public comments.
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The US Customs
has now published the final rules implementing the URAA country of
origin provisions. Copies of the relevant Federal Register Notice
are available for public reference in the Americas Division, Commercial
Relations Branch, 18/F, Trade Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon
(contact Mr.L.C.K.Chung, tel no. 2398 5405).
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The Department
has examined the final rules and found that they are not substantially
different from the proposed rules referred to in Notice to Exporters
: Series 1 (USA) No. 35/95. There is however a revision in the definition
of knit-to-shape garments. The final rules define such garments as
goods of which 50% or more of the exterior surface area is formed
by major parts knitted or crocheted directly to the shape used in
the goods. Major parts are integral component parts excluding collars,
cuffs, waistbands, plackets, pockets, linings, paddings, trim, accessories
or similar parts.
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A summary of the
final rules is as follows :
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The country
of origin of yarn is the country where the staple fibres are spun
or continuous filaments extruded.
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The origin of
fabric is the country where the fabric is formed.
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Assembly will
confer origin for most apparel. The only exception is apparel assembled
from parts which are knit to shape. In that case, the place of knitting
is the country of origin.
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Luggage, sport
bags and cosmetic bags are considered to originate in the place
of assembly.
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The origin of
labels and badges; diapers; sacks and bags; tents; awnings; tarps;
floorcloths; and dishcloths is the country where the fabric used
in their manufacture is formed.
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The origin of
handkerchiefs, scarves, linens and curtains, and similar articles
is the country where the fabric is formed.
These rules will go
into effect for merchandise imported into the US on and after 1 July 1996.
Enquiries
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Should you require
further information on the subject, please contact the following officers
:
| Trade
Controls Officer |
Tel.
No. |
|
| Ms.
H.K. Ho |
2398
5423 ) |
Group
I Categories
|
| Mr.
K.K. Cheung
Ms. Y.K. Au
|
2398
5419 )
2398 5420 )
|
Group
II Cotton Specific Limit Categories
|
| Mr.
Y.S. Ip |
2398
5421 ) |
Group
II MMF Specific Limit and Basket Categories
|
| Mr.
K.C. Yu |
2398
5422 ) |
Group
II Cotton and MMF Specific Limit Garment Categories and Wool Basket
Categories
|
| Mr.
Y.W. Lam |
2398
5589 ) |
Group
II Cotton and MMF Specific Limit Categories and Cotton Basket Categories
|
| Mr.
H.L. Chan |
2398
5426 ) |
Group
III and Sweaters Categories of Silk Blend and/or Non-cotton Vegetable
Fibre
|
Yours faithfully,
(F.K.W. Chu)
for Director-General
of Trade
|
