The U.S. International Trade Commission ("USITC") is seeking input for a new investigation concerning whether certain textile and apparel articles from Nepal are import sensitive.
The investigation, Nepal: Advice Concerning Whether Certain Textile and Apparel Articles Are Import Sensitive, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative ("USTR") in a letter received on March 30, 2016.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of providing duty-free treatment for the following 66 products, listed by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheading, from Nepal:
- Luggage and attaché cases (5 subheadings): 4202.11.00, 4202.12.20, 4202.12.40, 4202.12.60, 4202.12.80;
- Handbags (10 subheadings): 4202.21.60, 4202.21.90, 4202.22.15, 4202.22.40, 4202.22.45, 4202.22.60, 4202.22.70, 4202.22.80, 4202.29.50, 4202.29.90;
- Pocket Goods (4 subheadings): 4202.31.60, 4202.32.40, 4202.32.80, 4202.32.95;
- Travel Bags (9 subheadings): 4202.91.00, 4202.92.08, 4202.92.15, 4202.92.20, 4202.92.30, 4202.92.45, 4202.92.60, 4202.92.90, 4202.99.90;
- Carpets (13 subheadings): 5701.10.90, 5702.31.20, 5702.49.20, 5702.50.40, 5702.50.59, 5702.91.30, 5702.91.40, 5702.92.90, 5702.99.15, 5703.10.20, 5703.10.80, 5703.90.00, 5705.00.20
- Shawls, Scarves, and Travel Blankets (7 subheadings): 6117.10.60, 6214.10.10, 6214.10.20, 6214.20.00, 6214.40.00, 6214.90.00, 6301.90.00
- Hats (13 subheadings): 6504.00.90, 6505.00.08, 6505.00.15, 6505.00.20, 6505.00.25, 6505.00.30, 6505.00.40, 6505.00.50, 6505.00.60, 6505.00.80, 6505.00.90, 6506.99.30, 6506.99.60
- Gloves (2 subheadings): 4203.29.50, 6216.00.80
- Miscellaneous Articles (Headbands and Needlecraft Kits) (3 subheadings): 6117.80.85, 6217.10.85, 6308.00.00
The USITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by September 29, 2016. As soon as possible thereafter, the USITC will, as requested by USTR, issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information and classified information deleted.
The USITC is seeking input for its new investigation from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the articles for which the USITC is requested to provide information and advice. The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on June 9, 2016. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on May 23, 2016, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 24, 2016. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of this investigation and appropriate submissions appears in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated April 15, 2016. The notice can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-2000.
USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
