CBP Announces 2008
Bahrain FTA
TPL for Certain Textiles and Apparel
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing the
2008 Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (Bahrain FTA or BFTA) tariff preference level (TPL) for certain non-originating textiles
and apparel, as provided for in HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 13.
2008 Bahrain FTA Textile &
Apparel Annual TPL Limit is 65 Million SME
According to CBP, the 2008 Bahrain FTA TPL is for the period of January
1, 2008–December 31, 2008, and opens on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 with a TPL
limit of 65,000,000 square meter equivalents (SME).
CBP notes that once the in-quota allocation is filled, goods will be
allowed to enter at the normal trade relations (NTR) rate or the general rate
of duty as noted in the HTS.
CBP adds that the HTS Chapter 99 tariff number
is 9914.99.20, and "BH" is the primary SPI indicator.
(U.S. Note 13 indicates that the annual TPL limit for each calendar year
from 2007 through 2015 is 65,000,000 SME. This TPL expires on December 31,
2015.)
Four 'Groups' of
Non-Originating Textiles and Apparel Eligible for TPL
In addition, HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter XIV, U.S. Note 13 indicates that
four groups (A – D) of non-originating textiles and apparel can qualify for
this TPL, as follows:
Group A (Cotton/MMF Fabric) – cotton or man-made fiber (MMF) fabric
goods provided for in HTS Chapters 52, 54, 55, 58, and 60 that are wholly
formed in Bahrain from yarn produced or obtained outside of Bahrain or the U.S.
Group B (Cotton/MMF Fabric) – cotton or MMF fabric goods provided for in
approximately 79 specified six- and eight- digit headings in HTS Chapters 58
and 60 that are wholly formed in Bahrain from yarn spun in Bahrain or the U.S.
from fiber produced or obtained outside of Bahrain or the U.S.
Group C (Cotton/MMF Apparel) – cotton or MMF apparel goods provided for in
HTS Chapters 61 or 62 that are cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or
otherwise assembled in Bahrain from fabric or yarn produced or obtained outside
of Bahrain or the U.S.
CBP states that whenever goods
are classified under this TPL as ensembles in combination with certain HTS
Chapters 61 and 62 tariff numbers (see CBP’s list of 8-digit tariff numbers),
the reporting number shall be for the specific component apparel article in the
ensemble, and not the ensemble number. Each specific apparel article in the
ensemble must be identified separately with a corresponding HTS 9914.99.20.
Group D (Cotton/MMF Made-Up
Goods) – cotton or MMF
made-up goods provided for in HTS Chapter 63 that are cut or knit to shape, or
both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in Bahrain from fabric wholly formed in
Bahrain or the U.S. from yarn produced or obtained outside of Bahrain or the
U.S.
CBP contact – Michelle
Videlock (202) 863-6511
QBT-07-006 (dated 12/13/07)
available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/qbt2007/07_006.ctt/07_006.doc
BP Notes
1.
As of
December 21, 2007, the 2007 TPL for subject apparel from Bahrain was 38% filled
and was not estimated to close early.
2. In July 2006, the President issued
Proclamation 8039, to modify the HTS for the Bahrain FTA and for other
purposes. Among other things, the Proclamation covers the creation of the TPL
described above. (See ITT's Online
Archives or 11/27/06 news, (Ref: 06112710), for the final part of BP's update
on the BFTA Proclamation.)
3. In October 2007 CBP issued an interim rule adding a new Subpart N to 19
CFR Part 10 and amending 19 CFR Parts 10, 24, 102, 162, 163, and 178 regarding
the preferential tariff treatment and other customs-related provisions of the
Bahrain FTA. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/22/07 news, (Ref: 07102223),
for Part III of BP's summary of this interim rule, which deals with provisions
related to the BFTA non-originating TPL. See ITT's Online Archives or 10/23/07
news, (Ref: 07102320), for the final part of BP's summary on this interim rule,
with links to the previous parts.)
Published in ITT on December 28, 2007 | [Ref: 07122815] |
Copyright 1997 - 2007 by Broker Power, Inc. | All Rights Reserved |
