United States International Trade Commision Rulings And Harmonized Tariff Schedule
faqs.org  Rulings By Number  Rulings By Category  Tariff Numbers
faqs.org > Rulings and Tariffs Home > Rulings By Number > 1998 NY Rulings > NY C87378 - NY C87458 > NY C87387

Previous Ruling Next Ruling
NY C87387





May 27, 1998

CLA-2-RR:NC:TA:355 C87387

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

Mr. Frank J. Desiderio
Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz Silverman LLP 245 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10167-3397

RE: Classification and country of origin determination for a man's woven cotton shirt; 19 CFR 102.21(c)(4)

Dear Mr. Desiderio:

This is in reply to your letter dated May 1, 1998 on behalf of your client, Esquel Apparel Inc., requesting a classification and country of origin determination for a man's woven cotton shirt which will be imported into the United States.

FACTS:

The subject merchandise is a man's woven cotton shirt.

The manufacturing operations for the shirt are as follows:

China:

1) Fabric cut into components.
2) Patch pocket assembled and attached to left front panel. 3) Cuffs subassembled.
4) Labels sewn to front placket.
5) Pleats on back panel are sewn.
6) Yoke attached to back panel.
7) Collar subassembled.
8) Front placket assembled to front panels. 9) Sleeve plackets assembled to sleeves.

Malaysia:

1) Front panels sewn to back panel at shoulder seams. 2) Sleeves sewn together.
3) Cuffs joined to sleeves.
4) Sleeves attached to shirt.
5) Care label attached to side seam.
6) Side seam of shirt sewn.
7) Collar attached to shirt.
8) Finishing.

ISSUE:

What are the classification and country of origin of the subject merchandise?

CLASSIFICATION:

The applicable subheading for the submitted sample will be 6205.20.2065, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for men's other woven cotton shirts. The rate of duty will be 20.5% ad valorem.

The submitted sample falls within textile category designation 340. The designated textile and apparel categories may be subdivided into parts. If so, visa and quota requirements applicable to the subject merchandise may be affected. Part categories are the result of international bilateral agreements which are subject to frequent renegotiations and changes. To obtain the most current information available, we suggest that you check, close to the time of shipment, the Status Report on Current Import Quotas (Restraint Levels), an internal issuance of the U.S. Customs Service, which is available for inspection at your local Customs office.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - LAW AND ANALYSIS:

On December 8, 1994, the President signed into law the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Section 334 of that Act (codified at 19 U.S.C. 3592) provides new rules of origin for textiles and apparel entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption, on and after July 1, 1996. On September 5, 1995, Customs published Section 102.21, Customs Regulations, in the Federal Register, implementing Section 334 (60 FR 46188). Thus, effective July 1, 1996, the country of origin of a textile or apparel product shall be determined by sequential application of the general rules set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of Section 102.21.

Paragraph (c)(1) states that "The country of origin of a textile or apparel product is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was wholly obtained or produced." As the subject merchandise is not wholly obtained or produced in a single country, territory or insular possession, paragraph (c)(1) of Section 102.21 is inapplicable.

Paragraph (c)(2) states that "Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which each of the foreign materials incorporated in that good underwent an applicable change in tariff classification, and/or met any other requirement, specified for the good in paragraph (e) of this section:"

Paragraph (e) in pertinent part states that "The following rules shall apply for purposes of determining the country of origin of a textile or apparel product under paragraph (c)(2) of this section":

HTSUS Tariff shift and/or other requirements

6201-6208 If the good consists of two or more component parts, a change to an assembled good of heading 6201 through
6208 from unassembled components, provided that the change is the result of the good being wholly assembled in a single country, territory or insular possession.

As the garment is not wholly assembled in a single country, Section 102.21(c)(2) is inapplicable.

Section 102.21(c)(3) states that, "Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section":

(i) If the good was knit to shape, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was knit; or

(ii) Except for goods of heading 5609, 5807, 5811, 6213, 6214, 6301 through 6306, and 6308, and subheadings 6209.20.5040, 6307.10, 6307.90, and 9404.90, if the good was not knit to shape and the good was wholly assembled in a single country, territory, or insular possession, the country of origin of the good is the country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was wholly assembled.

As the subject merchandise is neither knit, nor wholly assembled in a single country, Section 102.21 (c)(3) is inapplicable.

Section 102.21 (c)(4) states, "Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c)(1), (2) or (3) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory or insular possession in which the most important assembly or manufacturing process occurred".

In the case of the subject merchandise the joining of the front and back panels, the sleeves being sewn together and attached to the shirt, the joining of the cuffs and the collar to the shirt and the sewing of the shirt's side seams constitute the most important assembly processes.

HOLDING:

The country of origin of the shirt is Malaysia. Based upon international textile trade agreements products of Malaysia are subject to quota and the requirement of a visa.

The holding set forth above applies only to the specific factual situation and merchandise identified in the ruling request. This position is clearly set forth in section 19 CFR 177.9(b)(1). This sections states that a ruling letter, either directly, by reference, or by implication, is accurate and complete in every material respect.

This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177). Should it be subsequently determined that the information furnished is not complete and does not comply with 19 CFR 177.9(b)(1), the ruling will be subject to modification or revocation. In the event there is a change in the facts previously furnished, this may affect the determination of country of origin. Accordingly, if there is any change in the facts submitted to Customs, it is recommended that a new ruling request be submitted in accordance with 19 CFR 177.2.

A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Gerard Shea at 212-466-5878.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,

Previous Ruling Next Ruling

See also: