Notice of Allocation of Tariff Rate Quotas on the Import of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics for Calendar Year 2005

AGENCY:

Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.

ACTION:

Notice of allocation of 2005 worsted wool fabric tariff rate quota.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce (Department) has determined the allocation for Calendar Year 2005 of imports of certain worsted wool fabrics under tariff rate quotas established by Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 as amended by the Trade Act of 2002. The companies that are being provided an allocation are listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sergio Botero, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-4058.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

BACKGROUND:

Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (The Act) as amended by the Trade Act of 2002 creates two tariff rate quotas, providing for temporary reductions in the import duties on two categories of worsted wool fabrics suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or trousers. For worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters greater than 18.5 microns (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) heading 9902.51.11), the reduction in duty is limited to 4,500,000 square meters per year. For worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters of 18.5 microns or less (HTSUS heading 9902.51.12), the reduction is limited to 3,500,000 square meters per year. The Act requires the President to ensure that such fabrics are fairly allocated to persons (including firms, corporations, or other legal entities) who cut and sew men's and boys' worsted wool suits and suit-like jackets and trousers in the United States and who apply for an allocation based on the amount of such suits cut and sewn during the prior calendar year. Presidential Proclamation 7383, of December 1, 2000, authorized the Secretary of Commerce to allocate the quantity of worsted wool fabric imports under the tariff rate quotas. On January 22, 2001 the Department published regulations establishing procedures for applying for, and determining, such allocations (66 FR 6459, 15 CFR 335).

On August 28, 2004, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register (68 FR 51767) soliciting applications for an allocation of the 2004 tariff rate quotas with a closing date of September 29, 2003. The Department received timely applications for the HTS 9902.51.11 tariff rate quota from 11 firms. The Department received timely applications for the HTS 9902.51.12 tariff rate quota from 14 firms. All applicants were determined eligible for an allocation. Most applicants submitted data on a business confidential basis. As allocations to firms were determined on the basis of this data, the Department considers individual firm allocations to be business confidential.

FIRMS THAT RECEIVED ALLOCATIONS: HTS 9902.51.11, fabrics, of worsted wool, with average fiber diameter greater than 18.5 micron, certified by the importer as suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or trousers (provided for in subheading 5112.11.60 and 5112.19.95). Amount allocated: 4,500,000 square meters.

Companies Receiving Allocation:

HTS 9902.51.12, fabrics, of worsted wool, with average fiber diameter of 18.5 micron or less, certified by the importer as suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or trousers (provided for in subheading 5112.11.30 and 5112.19.60). Amount allocated: 3,500,000 square meters.

Companies Receiving Allocation: