CBP Begins Document Exams of Certain Knit-to-Shape Garments
According to U.S. government sources, on May 10, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began documentation exams of certain entries of knit-to-shape garments in HTS 6110 which claim a country of origin other than China (i.e., that the garment's panels are knit-to-shape in a country other than China and then sent to China to be linked and looped).
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U.S. government sources state that these document exams are expected to last 30 days and are being conducted on a nationwide basis.
(U.S. government sources have previously stated that CBP has found evidence that quota is being circumvented in certain situations, with both the knitting-to-shape and the linking and looping occurring in China, without claiming China as the country of origin.
Sources have also previously stated that these documentation exams are expected tofocus on either one country or a group of countries at a time.
For shipments of knit-to-shape garments that are detained, U.S. government sources have previously stated that importers can expedite the exam process by being able to quickly respond to a CF 28 (Request for Information) with documentation indicating the movement of yarn to the knitter and the movement of knit panels to China.
U.S. government sources also stated that such documentation should include commercial transportation and clearance documents (e.g., invoices and packing lists).)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/29/04 news, 04042915 for earlier BP summary of this documentation exam.)