ITC Initiates Investigation on Impact of Removing Certain Sleeping Bags from GSP
The International Trade Commission has announced that it is initiating an investigation and seeking input for an investigation concerning a possible modification to the Generalized System of Preferences.
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The investigation, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2010 Special Review, Certain Sleeping Bags (Investigation No. 332-513), was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative in a letter received on January 19, 2010.
ITC to Provide Advice on Impact of Removing Certain Sleeping Bags from GSP
As requested, ITC will provide advice on the likely impact on the competing U.S. industry, U.S. imports, and U.S. consumers of the removal of HTS subheading 9404.30.80 (sleeping bags, not containing 200r more by weight of feathers and/or down) from duty-free status with respect to all GSP beneficiary countries.
(The USTR recently announced that it has accepted for review a petition to remove these sleeping bags from the list of products eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP program. The petition was filed on behalf of Exxel Outdoors, Inc., a manufacturer of outdoor and recreational products (including the subject sleeping bags) located in Haleyville, Alabama.
According to Exxel, its competitive situation has recently changed dramatically with the entry of imports of subject sleeping bags from Bangladesh. While it is Exxel's view that the subject sleeping bags are an import-sensitive product for which GSP eligibility should be removed generally, the immediate cause of the need for removal is the "sudden and significant" impact of duty-free sleeping bags from Bangladesh.)
ITC to Submit Confidential Report by April 12th, Public Version to Follow
ITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by April 12, 2010. As soon as possible thereafter, the ITC will issue a public version of the report.
ITC Seeks Comments, Will Not Hold a Hearing
ITC is seeking input for its new investigation from all interested parties by 5:15 p.m. on March 1, 2010. ITC will not hold a hearing in this investigation, but it welcomes written submissions for the record.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/26/10 news, 10012615, for BP summary of the USTR accepting the petition.)
ITC news release (10-005, dated 01/25/10) available at http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2010/er0125hh1.htm