Singapore FTA TPL for Cotton/MMF Apparel Expired Dec 31
The U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SFTA) tariff preference level for certain cotton or man-made fiber (MMF) apparel goods, or apparel goods subject to cotton or MMF restraints, the foregoing that are both cut (or knit-to-shape) and sewn or otherwise assembled in Singapore from fabric or yarn produced or obtained outside the territory of Singapore or of the U.S. (“third country”) expired on December 31, 2011.
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(This TPL covered subject apparel goods provided for in nearly 300 eight-digit HTS Chapters 61 and 62 tariff numbers, which were assigned variously to HTS subheadings 9910.61.01 through 9910.61.89. These duty rates decreased each year, and became zero in 2008. In addition, the TPL quantities decreased each year from when it began in 2004 until it expired on December 31, 2011.
This TPL was previously provided for in HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter X, U.S. Note 13.)
TPL was 86.46% Filled Prior to Expiration
According to CBP’s December 30, 2011 weekly commodity quota report, the 2011 Singapore TPL ended the year approximately 86.46% filled.
Apparel Must Now Meet SFTA Rules of Origin to get SFTA Tariff Benefits
As the TPL has expired, the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) indicates that all trade must adhere to the Rules of Origin (in HTS General Note 25) to qualify for SFTA tariff benefits.
Apparel that does not qualify under the SFTA Rules of Origin will be subject to the general Column “1” rate of duty noted in the HTS.
See ITT’s Online Archives 12011303 and 10111721 for summaries which noted that this TPL would expire on December 31, 2011.
See ITT’s Online Archives 04010605 for summary of Proclamation 7747, which amended the HTS for the SFTA, etc.)