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[Federal Register: June 5, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 108)]
[Notices]
[Page 30927-30928]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jn97-131]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service
[T.D. 97-47]

Country of Origin Marking of Products of Hong Kong

AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of Policy.

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SUMMARY: This document notifies the public that, with respect to imported goods produced in Hong Kong after the reversion of that region to China on July 1, 1997, the proper country of origin marking for such goods will continue to be ``Hong Kong.''

EFFECTIVE DATE: The position set forth in this document is effective for merchandise entered or ithdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after July 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Walker, Special Classification and Marking Branch (202) 482-6980.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Section 304 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1304), provides that, unless excepted, every article of foreign origin (or its container) imported into the U.S. shall be marked in a conspicuous
place as legibly, indelibly, and permanently as the nature of the article (or its container) will permit, in such a manner as to indicate to the ultimate purchaser in the U.S. the English name of the country of origin of the article. Failure to mark an article in accordance with the requirements of 19 U.S.C. 1304 shall result in the levy of a duty of ten percent ad valorem. Part 134, Customs Regulations (19 CFR Part 134), implements the country of origin marking requirements and exceptions of 19 U.S.C. 1304.

Pursuant to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, signed in 1984, the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997. With respect to goods produced in Hong Kong while under the sovereignty of Great Britain, the Customs Service has taken the position that such goods should properly be marked to indicate that their origin is ``Hong Kong.''

It has been determined that no change in the current practice regarding the country of origin marking of goods produced in Hong Kong should be made as a result of the reversion of that region's sovereignty to China. Therefore, this document notifies the public that, unless excepted from marking, goods

[[Page 30928]]

produced in Hong Kong which are entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption into the U.S. on or after July 1, 1997, shall continue to be marked to indicate that their origin is ``Hong Kong.''

Dated: May 29, 1997.
Stuart P. Seidel,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Regulations and Rulings.
[FR Doc. 97-14662 Filed 6-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P