ITC Institutes Investigation on Definition of Babies' Booties (Which Could be Excluded from China Agreed Quota)
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a notice, effective June 5, 2006, instituting an investigation and requesting comments on the following two proposed definitions for babies' booties classifiable in HTS 6111:
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Proposal 1: For purposes of heading 6111, babies' booties are knitted or crocheted foot coverings without an applied sole glued, sewn or otherwise affixed to the uppers. These articles have bulky embellishments, such as rattles or other attachments, which preclude wearing inside of footwear.
Proposal 2: For purposes of heading 6111, babies' booties are knitted or crocheted foot coverings without an applied sole glued, sewn or otherwise affixed to the uppers. These articles have embellishments, such as rattles, lace, appliqus, skid-proofing or kick-proofing properties.
According to the ITC, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) requested that the ITC provide advice as to the probable effect of each of the two proposed definitions for babies' booties on U.S. imports from China, on total U.S. imports, and on domestic producers of the affected articles.
Baby Booties are Being Considered for Exclusion from China Sock Quota
ITC sources indicate that the scope of the definition that is adopted for babies' booties will be considered for exclusion from the agreed sock quota imposed on China category 332/432/632PT (plus baby socks1).
In its letter requesting this investigation, the USTR indicated that it is examining the issue of whether babies' booties, presently classified under the same HTS 6111 tariff numbers as babies' socks, are instead more appropriately classified as footwear articles, which would exclude them from the China agreed quota on category 332/432/632PT (plus baby socks1).
ITC to Submit Report to USTR and Issue Public Report Thereafter
The ITC states that it will submit its advice to the USTR at the earliest possible date, but not later than 3 months following the May 26, 2006 receipt of the USTR's letter, or by August 25, 2006.
The ITC adds that it will issue, as soon as possible thereafter, a public version of the report with any business confidential information deleted.
1 Note that currently baby socks are classified with baby booties under the same tariff numbers, which are 6111.20.6050, 6111.30.5050, and 6111.90.5050.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/17/05 news, 05111710, for Part III of BP summary of the U.S.-China Textile MOU (also referred to as the "Textile Agreement", with links to earlier installments of this summary.
See ITT's Online Archives or 12/15/05 news, 05121510 for BP summary of China 2006 agreed quotas.
See ITT's Online Archives or 02/23/06 news, 06022310, for Part V of BP summary of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) FAQ on the MOU, with links to earlier installments of this summary.)
- written comments should be received no later than 5:15 p.m. on July 11, 2006
| Jackie Jones (project leader) | (202) 205-3466 |
| William Gearhart (legal aspects) | (202) 205-3091 |
| Margaret O'Laughlin (media) | (202) 205-1819 |
ITC Notice (Inv. No. 332-475, FR Pub 06/09/06) available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9029.pdf
USTR letter requesting investigation, available by fax only, by sending requests to documents@brokerpower.com