International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
The Department of Commerce (Department) is soliciting applications for an allocation of the 2013 tariff rate quotas on certain worsted wool fabric to persons who weave such fabrics in the United States.
The Department hereby solicits applications from persons (including firms, corporations, or other legal entities) who weave worsted wool fabrics in the United States for an allocation of the 2013 tariff rate quotas on certain worsted wool fabric. Interested persons must submit an application on the form provided to the address listed below by October 22, 2012. The Department will cause to be published in the
To be considered, applications must be received or postmarked by 5 p.m. on October 22, 2012.
Applications must be submitted to the Office of Textiles and Apparel, Room 30003, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230 (telephone: (202) 482–3400). Application forms may be obtained from that office (via facsimile or mail) or from the following Internet address:
Laurie Mease, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482–2043.
Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (the Act) created two tariff rate quotas (TRQs), providing for temporary reductions in the import duties on limited quantities of two categories of worsted wool fabrics suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or trousers: (1) For worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters greater than 18.5 microns (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) heading 9902.51.11); and (2) for worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters of 18.5 microns or less (HTS heading 9902.51.12). On August 6, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Trade Act of 2002, which includes several amendments to Title V of the Act. On December 3, 2004, the Act was further amended pursuant to the Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004, Public Law 108–429. The 2004 amendment included authority for the Department to allocate a TRQ for new HTS category, HTS 9902.51.16. This HTS category refers to worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameter of 18.5 microns or less. The amendment provided that HTS 9902.51.16 is for the benefit of persons (including firms, corporations, or other legal entities) who weave such worsted wool fabric in the United States that is suitable for making men's and boys' suits. The TRQ for HTS 9902.51.16 provided for temporary reductions in the import duties on 2,000,000 square meters annually for 2005 and 2006. The amendment requires that the TRQ be allocated to persons who weave worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameter of 18.5 microns or less, which is suitable for use in making men's and boys' suits, in the United States. On August 17, 2006, the Act was further amended pursuant to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Public Law 109–280, which extended the TRQ for HTS 9902.51.16 through 2009. The Senate-passed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extended the TRQ for HTS 9902.51.16 through 2014.
On October 24, 2005, the Department adopted final regulations establishing procedures for allocating the TRQ.