Citation: [Federal Register Volume 78, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 56658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22358]


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Allocation of Tariff
Rate Quotas on the Import of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics to Persons
Who Weave Such Fabrics in the United States

AGENCY: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.

ACTION: The Department of Commerce (Department) is soliciting
applications for an allocation of the 2014 tariff rate quotas on
certain worsted wool fabrics to persons who weave such fabrics in the
United States.

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SUMMARY: The Department hereby solicits applications from persons
(including firms, corporations, or other legal entities) who weave
worsted wool fabrics in the United States for an allocation of the 2014
tariff rate quotas on certain worsted wool fabrics. Interested persons
must submit an application on the form provided to the address listed
below by October 15, 2013. The Department will cause to be published in
the Federal Register its determination to allocate the 2014 tariff rate
quotas and will notify applicants of their respective allocation as
soon as possible after that date. Promptly thereafter, the Department
will issue licenses to eligible applicants.

DATES: To be considered, applications must be received or postmarked by
5 p.m. on October 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to the Office of Textiles and
Apparel, Room 30003, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230 (telephone: (202) 482-3400). Application
forms may be obtained from that office (via facsimile or mail) or from
the following Internet address:
http://otexa.trade.gov/wooltrq/wool_fabric.htm

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Mease, Office of Textiles and
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-2043.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

   Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (the Act) created
two tariff rate quotas (TRQs), providing for temporary reductions in
the import duties on limited quantities of two categories of worsted
wool fabrics suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or
trousers: (1) for worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters
greater than 18.5 microns (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTS) heading 9902.51.11); and (2) for worsted wool fabric with
average fiber diameters of 18.5 microns or less (HTS heading
9902.51.12). On August 6, 2002, President Bush signed into law the
Trade Act of 2002, which includes several amendments to Title V of the
Act. On December 3, 2004, the Act was further amended pursuant to the
Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004, Public Law 108-429. The 2004 amendment
included authority for the Department to allocate a TRQ for a new HTS
category, HTS 9902.51.16. This HTS category refers to worsted wool
fabrics with average fiber diameters of 18.5 microns or less. The
amendment provided that HTS 9902.51.16 is for the benefit of persons
(including firms, corporations, or other legal entities) who weave such
worsted wool fabrics in the United States suitable for making men's and
boys' suits. The TRQ for HTS 9902.51.16 provided for temporary
reductions in the import duties on 2,000,000 square meters annually for
2005 and 2006. The amendment requires that the TRQ be allocated to
persons who weave worsted wool fabrics with average fiber diameters of
18.5 microns or less, which are suitable for use in making men's and
boys' suits, in the United States. On August 17, 2006, the Act was
further amended pursuant to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Public
Law 109-280, which extended the TRQ for HTS 9902.51.16 through 2009.
The Senate-passed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extended
the TRQ for HTS 9902.51.16 through 2014.
   On October 24, 2005, the Department adopted final regulations
establishing procedures for allocating the TRQ. See 70 FR 61363; 19 CFR
part 335. In order to be eligible for an allocation, an applicant must
submit an application on the form provided at
http://otexa.trade.gov/wooltrq/wool_fabric.htm to the address listed above by 5 p.m. on
October 15, 2013 in compliance with the requirements of 15 CFR part
335. Any business confidential information that is marked business
confidential will be kept confidential and protected from disclosure to
the full extent permitted by law.

   Dated: September 9, 2013.
Janet E. Heinzen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel.
[FR Doc. 2013-22358 Filed 9-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P