H.R.7230 - Buying American Cotton Act of 2026

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a domestic cotton consumption credit.

"American cotton growers, especially those in Eastern North Carolina, play a critical role in our nation's farm economy," said Congressman Greg Murphy, "They help supply countless industries with high-quality raw material to produce clothing, home goods, industrial and medical products, and much more. Global competition has made survival for our cotton growers difficult, straining rural communities and destabilizing our supply chain. I am proud to put Eastern North Carolina first by introducing the Buying American Cotton Act to support its rich tradition of producing high-quality cotton for the United States and the world."

Read Representative Murphy's press release HERE.

Zoom Webinars & Events: Plastic Pollution and Textiles: What the Science Says and Why It Matters

Country of origin determination for duvet covers, pillow shams and quilts; 19 CFR 102.21(c)(2); tariff shift; 19 CFR 102.21(c)(4); most important assembly or manufacturing process

On April 2, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued Binding Ruling Letter N359713 relating to country of origin of duvet covers, pillow shams.

Bangladesh

• Polyester and cotton fibers are spun into yarns.
• All outer facing/shell fabrics, binding fabric and double slub fabric are woven.
• All griege woven fabric are exported to India.

India

• Sewing thread, zippers, cotton nonwoven batting and polyester nonwoven batting are formed.
• Fabrics are subject to cleaning, bleaching, dyeing, rinsing, drying, heat steaming, shaping, pre-shrinking and final inspection.
• Fabrics are cut and assembled by sewing into duvet covers, pillows shams, and quilts.
• Quilts are quilted.
• Finished items are inspected, packaged, labeled and exported to the United States.

The country of origin of the duvet covers is Bangladesh in accordance with 19 CFR 102.21 (c)(2) and 19 CFR 102.21 (e)(1). The country of origin of the pillow shams is Bangladesh in accordance with 19 CFR 102.21 (c)(2) and 19 CFR 102.21 (e)(2)(ii). The country of origin of the quilts is Bangladesh in accordance with 19 CFR 102.21 (c)(4).

Plastic Pollution and Textiles: What the Science Says and Why It Matters

Plastic Pollution and Textiles: What the Science Says and Why It Matters

Tuesday, April 28 | 2:00 PM EST

CottonWorks™ by Cotton Incorporated is dedicated to increasing the demand for and profitability of cotton through research and promotion. CottonWorks™ serves as an essential resource for apparel and textile professionals to showcase what’s possible with cotton.

Register HERE.

Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills Using Upland Cotton

On February 24, 2026, the Agricultural Marketing Service published in the Federal Register (91 FR 8707) Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills—Payment Rate.

SUMMARY: The Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills (EAATM) program provides qualified domestic users of upland cotton financial assistance that can be used to acquire, construct, install, modernize, develop, convert, or expand land, plant, buildings, equipment, facilities, or machinery used in the manufacture of final cotton products. Under the program, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) makes payments to eligible domestic users who have entered into an Upland Cotton Domestic User Agreement with AMS to participate in the EAATM. In this final rule, AMS is revising the payment rate from three cents per pound to five cents per pound, applicable August 1, 2025, as provided for in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Sandbag Contract Awarded

June 14, 2024, AMR Supply LLC,* Bradenton, Florida (SPE8E6-24-D-0006); and CJ Connolly LLC,* Baltimore, Maryland (SPE8E6-24-D-0007), are sharing a maximum $19,380,313 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE8E6-23-R-0006 for polypropylene and cotton duck sandbags. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. These are two-year base contracts with three one-year option periods. The ordering period end date is June 14, 2026. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2024 through 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

*Small business

Economic Adjustment Assistance for Cotton Textile Mills

On Ocotber 31, 2023, the Agricultural Marketing Service published in the Federal Register (88 FR 74330) Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revises the regulation providing guidance for domestic manufacturers that consume Upland Cotton and voluntarily participate in the Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills Program. The revisions add definitions and codify certain participant responsibilities currently outlined in the existing user Agreement. The changes made by this rule are intended to strengthen management controls that have been added into the Agreement to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. This action provides the necessary legal support for program administration.

Sources Sought for Cotton Fleece Fabric

A company is interested in sourcing certain cotton fleece fabric in the DR-CAFTA region in the quantities and as specified below.

FABRIC TYPE	Cotton Fleece
FIBER CONTENT	77-83% cotton, 17-23% polyester
FACE YARN	100% combed cotton ring spun, 41/1 to 48/1 metric (24/1 to 28/1)
TIE YARN	183 to 188 / 48 filament metric filament polyester ( 49 to 51 / 48 filament denier)
FLEECE YARN	Single ply staple 67 to 73 percent cotton and 27 to 33 percent polyester staple, 23.7/1 to 20.5/1 metric number (14/1 to 18/1)
MACHINE GAUGE	20 to 21
FABRIC WEIGHT	257 to 294 grams per square meter (7.6 to 8.7 ounces per square yard)
QUANTITY required	3,500,000 kg per year
HTSUS subheading	6001.21
REMARKS	Vertical and horizontal shrinkage must be less than 5% Torque may not exceed 4% All fabrics must have a Class 1 flammability rating For optimum fabric integrity and stitch definition, this fabric must be knit on machines with number of yarn feeds in a multiple of 3.

NOTE: The yarn size designations describe a range of yarn specifications for yarn before knitting, dyeing and finishing of the fabric. They are intended as specifications to be followed by the mill in sourcing yarn used to produce the fabric. Dyeing, finishing and knitting can alter the characteristic of the yarn as it appears in the finished fabric. This specification therefore includes yarn sizes provided that the variation occurs after processing of the greige yarn and production of the fabric. The specifications for the fabric apply to the fabric itself prior to cutting and sewing of the finished garment. Such processing may alter the measurements.

Fluvitex Quilt and Comforter Manufacturers Files FTZ Application

In a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication November 30, 2021, the Foreign Trade-Zone Board reports that Fluvitex USA, Inc., has submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board (the Board) for its facility in Groveport, Ohio under FTZ 138. The notification was received on November 23, 2021.

Comments are due 40 days from publication.

The proposed finished products include: plain cotton quilts and comforters; other quilts and comforters; cotton pillows and cushions; and, non-cotton pillows and cushions (duty rate ranges from 4.4% to 12.8%).

The proposed foreign-status materials include:

• recycled hollow conjugated and siliconized 100% polyester fiber – 64mm cut length, density 7 deniers, 32mm cut length, density 7 deniers and 64mm cut length, density 15 deniers;
• recycled polyester microfiber – 32mm cut length, 0.9 deniers and 10mm cut length, 6.1 decitex;
• lyocell fibers, 60mm cut length, 6.7 deniers;
• STRA FABRIC – recycled 65% polyester 35% cotton blend fabric (bleached and dyed) – construction is yarn number 45 (mass divided per unit length) warp x 45 weft, 110 threads per inch (warp) and 76 threads per inch (weft), generates a weight of 100 grams per square meter;
• PLUS FABRIC and PLUS DOTS FABRIC – 55% tencel-natural fiber: viscose and 45% cotton blend (non-printed and printed fabric) – construction is yarn number 40 warp x 40 weft, 140 threads per inch (warp) and 96 threads per inch (weft), construction generates a weight of 140 grams per square meter;
• 100% polyester fabric;
• 100% polypropylene nonwoven fabric;
• 100% polyester pillow covers; sac/bags of cotton for packing of certain pillows;
• cotton pillow covers; cotton pillow shells;
• polyester pillow shells; and, polybags (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 14.9%).

Brooks Brothers to layoff over 400 employees at Southwick facility in Haverhill

According to a report in the Boston Herald, Brooks Brothers submitted a notice that it will layoff 413 employees at the Haverhill facility with an effective date of July 20, less than two months after the plant switched production from suits and ties to masks and gowns in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The company last week announced it will shut down its shirt factory in North Carolina also on July 20, eliminating 146 jobs, according to a report by the Raleigh News & Observer. Another plant on Long Island, which manufactures ties, is also slated to close in August. That closure would eliminate 136 jobs, the Long Island City Post reported Tuesday.

FTZ Filing Seeks Exemption from U.S. Import Duty on Woven and Knitted Fabrics

The Foreign-Trade Zone Board has docketed an application from Woodbridge Group, El Paso, Texas, relating to production of laminates by bonding foam/fabric or foam/film and passing the foam over an open flame.

Production under FTZ procedures could exempt Woodbridge from customs duty payments on the foreign-status components used in export production. On its domestic sales, for the foreign-status materials/components noted below, Woodbridge would be able to choose the duty rates during customs entry procedures that apply to: Synthetic textile fabrics laminated with polyurethane foam and woven scrim; vinyl goods laminated with polyurethane foam and knit or woven scrim backing; vinyl goods laminated with polyurethane foam; synthetic textile and cotton mix fabrics laminated with polyurethane foam; and, polyurethane foam laminated with woven scrim (duty rate ranges from 2.7% to 6.5%). Woodbridge would be able to avoid duty on foreign-status components which become scrap/waste. Customs duties also could possibly be deferred or reduced on foreign-status production equipment.

The components and materials sourced from abroad include: Vinyl coated fabric with polyvinyl chloride; woven polyester fabric yarn dyed and coated with polyurethane; synthetic leather rolls; vinyl leather imitation; artificial leather cloth; sheets of plastics--cellular--polyvinyl chloride fabric of man-made fibers; sheets of plastics--non-cellular--polyvinyl chloride; sheets of plastics--cellular--100% plastic; rolls of cotton fabric coated with polyvinyl chlorides; fabric of man-made fibers coated with over 70% plastic; fabric of man-made fibers coated with under 70% plastic; sheets of plastics--cellular--polyvinyl chloride--over 70% plastic combined with 65/35 poly cotton fabrics; sheets of plastics--cellular--of other plastics; woven synthetic fabric rolls 100% for automotive industry; polyvinyl chloride leather; 100% polyester knit fabrics; 9803X polyester nonwoven backing; polyester nonwoven scrim; and, knitted polyester fabric 100% (circular knit) (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 14.9%).

Of particular interest to readers of Textiles and Trade is the request for exemption from import duties on the following fabrics:

Description	HTSUS	Duty
Synthetic fiber woven fabric	5407.52.20.60	14.9%
Cotton fabric coated with polyvinyl chloride	5903.10.1000	2.7%
Man-made fiber fabric coated with less than 70% of polyvinyl chloride	5903.10.2500	7.5%
Man-made fiber fabric coated with less than 70% of polyurethane chloride	5903.20.2500	7.5%
100% polyester warp knit fabric	6005.37.00.80	10.0%
100% polyester circular knit fabric	6006.31.00.40	10.0%

Comments are due by March 25, 2019. If you are interested in opposing this application for exemption from import duties, Agathon Associates can assist you, contact David Trumbull at

Cotton Incorporated Launches free on-line learning facility

The African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation ("ACTIF") congratulates Cotton Incorporated on their latest initiative "Cotton University". This is a free on-line educational facility, delivering learning opportunities that can be accessed wherever you are and in your own time and covering a wide range of subjects applicable to our cotton, textile and apparel industries. For more details and to register see https://cottonuniversity.org/login/

Jesse Daystar Appointed First Chief Sustainability Officer for Cotton Incorporated

Cotton Incorporated, the research and promotion company for U.S. cotton producers and importers, has extended its commitment to sustainability of cotton across the supply chain by appointing Dr. Jesse Daystar, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. SEE PRESS RELEASE

Cotton Board Rules and Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports (2017 Amendments)

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations, increasing the value assigned to imported cotton for the purposes of calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. This amendment is required each year to ensure that assessments collected on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products will be the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton. In addition, AMS is updating the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) statistical reporting numbers that were amended since the last assessment adjustment in 2016.

For more information See the Federal Register Notice.

Bahrain Requests Short Supply for Dozens of Fabrics. Comments Due July 21st

Since August 2006 Bahrain has been able to ship apparel and home textiles to the U.S. duty-free under the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. In 2016, according to TRADE DATA FROM OTEXA, Bahrain shipped about 70 million square meters of textile products to the U.S. almost all of which was exempted from the general yarn forward rule under a generous tariff preference level ("TPL") provision. That provision has now expired and Bahrain is seeking short supply status from a wide variety of fabrics.

U.S. textile producers of the fabrics listed below need to let the U.S. government know that they oppose adding such fabrics to the Bahrain FTA short supply list. Agathon Associates can assist you in filing objections. Call David Trumbull at 617-285-6004.

On May 22, 2017, the Committee for the Implementation of Textiles Agreements published in the Federal Register (82 FR 23204) Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request Under the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement.

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Bahrain, submitted on March 23, 2017, to initiate consultations under Article 3.2.3 of the USBFTA. The Government of Bahrain is requesting that the United States and Bahrain ("the Parties") consider revising the rules of origin for certain knit and woven apparel to address availability of supply of certain knit and woven fabrics in the territories of the Parties. The President of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USBFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches an agreement with the Government of Bahrain on a modification under Article 3.2.5 of the USBFTA to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain knit and woven fabrics can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

Comments must be submitted by July 21, 2017.

The fabrics subject to this request, according to the fabric number in the request and organized by specific apparel end-use, are:

Knit apparel classified in chapter 61 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS):

Fabric 26: Knit pile, looped fabric, 90% polyester and 10% elastomeric suede, yarn count: Brushed P105xP50D+SP40D, weight 300 grams per meter squared (g/m2), width CW57'', classified in subheading 6001.22 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 27: Knit fabric of polyester (85-97%) and elastomeric (5-15%), classified in subheading 6004.10 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 28: Knit fabric of polyester (45-60%), cotton (35-50%) and elastomeric (5-12%), classified in subheading 6004.10 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 29: Knit fabric of rayon (59-75%), nylon (20-37%), and elastomeric (0-10%), classified in subheading 6006.42 of the HTSUS; and

Fabric 35: Knit fabric of polyester (68-78%), rayon (19-29%), and elastomeric (0-8%), classified in subheading 6006.32 of the HTSUS.

Woven apparel classified in chapter 62 of the HTSUS:

Fabric 15: Bleached or dyed satin weave or twill weave fabric of at least 60% lyocell and up to 40% nylon, polyester, or elastomeric, that does not meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2112 or ASTM 1506 protective standards, classified in heading 5516 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 16: Woven seersucker fabric of cotton, classified in subheadings 5208.42, 5208.52 or 5209.41 of the HTSUS; Fabric 17: Woven fabric of rayon (60-75%), nylon (30-35%), and elastomeric (1-5%), bleached, dyed, printed or of yarns of different colors, weighing 200-350 g/m\2,\ classified in subheadings 5516.91, 5516.92, 5516.93 or 5516.94 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 18: Woven fabric of rayon (50-84%), polyester (6-49%), and elastomeric (1-10%), weighing less than 225 g/m2, classified in headings 5408 or 5516 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 19: Woven fabric of polyester (50-65%), rayon (34-49%), and elastomeric (1-10%), weighing less than 225 g/m2, classified in headings 5407, 5512, or 5515 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 20: Woven fabric of polyester (51-65%) and rayon (35-49%), weighing less than 225 g/m2, classified in headings 5407, 5512, or 5515 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 21: 100% rayon woven fabric, classified in headings 5408 or 5516 of the HTSUS; and

Fabric 22: Woven jacquard fabric of rayon staple fiber, weighing 375 g/m2 or less, classified in subheadings 5516.13 or 5516.23 of the HTSUS.

Men's or boys' suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), classified in heading 6203 of the HTSUS; and women's or girls' suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), classified in heading 6204 of the HTSUS:

Fabric 1: Two-way stretch woven fabric of polyester (57-76%), rayon (18-37%), and elastomeric (1-11%), classified in subheading 5515.19 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 2: Dyed rayon blend herringbone twill fabric of rayon (65-75%) and polyester (25-35%), weighing more than 200 g/m \2\,, classified in subheading 5516.92 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 3: Two-way stretch woven fabric of polyester (50-85%), viscose rayon (13-47%), and elastomeric (1-10%), classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 4: One-way stretch woven fabric of polyester (50-85%), viscose rayon (13-47%), and elastomeric (1-10%), classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 5: Woven fabric of polyester (60-90%), rayon (10-40%), and elastomeric (0-6%), classified in subheadings 5407.52, 5407.53, 5407.61, 5407.69, 5407.72, 5407.73, 5407.92, 5407.93, 5512.19, 5512.99, 5515.12, and 5515.19 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 6: Woven indigo dyed fabric of cotton (95-100%) and elastomeric (0-5%), classified in subheadings 5208.39.6090 and 5208.39.8090 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 7: Cotton corduroy woven fabric, classified in subheading 5801.22 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 8: Polyester corduroy woven fabric, classified in subheading 5801.32 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 9: Dyed sateen woven fabric of cotton (93%-100%) and elastomeric (0-7%), classified in subheading 5209.39.0020 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 10: Dobby weave fabric of cotton (93-99%) and elastomeric (1-7%), classified in subheading 5209.39.0080 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 11: Dobby weave fabric of 100% cotton, classified in subheading 5209.39 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 12: Woven fabric of spun modal rayon (50-95%), filament polyester (5-48%), and elastomeric (0-5%), classified in subheadings 5516.12, 5516.13, 5516.22 and5 516.23 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 13: Yarn-dyed woven fabric of lyocell staple fiber (55-85%) and cotton (15-45%), classified in subheadings 5516.13 and 5516.43 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 14: Woven fabric of rayon (67-80%), nylon (15-35%), and elastomeric (2-6%), classified in subheadings 5516.22, 5516.23 and 5516.24 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 23: Two-way stretch woven twill fabric of cotton (85-98%) and elastomeric (2-15%), classified in subheading 5209.32 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 24: Two-way stretch woven twill fabric of cotton (63-73%), polyester (20-30%), and elastomeric (2-12%), classified in subheading 5211.43 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 25: Woven twill fabric of cotton (77-87%), polyester (12-22%), and elastomeric (0-6%), classified in subheading 5211.43 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 30: Woven twill fabric of viscose rayon (51-61%), cotton (34-44%), and elastomeric (0-10%), classified in subheading 5516.42.0060 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 31: Two-way stretch woven twill fabric of cotton (47-57%), rayon (36-46%), and elastomeric (2-12%), classified in subheading 5211.32 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 32: Woven fabric of cotton (92-100%) and elastomeric (0-8%), classified in subheading 5209.31 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 33: Woven sateen fabric of 100% polyester, classified in subheading 5407.69 of the HTSUS; and

Fabric 34: Woven twill fabric of polyester (40-50%), viscose rayon (38-48%), linen (3-13%), and elastomeric (0-9%), classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS.

CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, particularly with respect to whether the fabrics described above can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be received no later than July 21, 2017.

Cotton Incorporated and PurThread Technologies Announce Collaboration

Cotton Incorporated and PurThread Technologies, Inc. announce a collaboration to bring PurThread’s permanently embedded anti-odor solution to cotton knit and woven fabrics.

Retail brands and consumers alike continue to seek fabrics that lend performance attributes while maintaining the luxurious look and feel of cotton. Cotton Incorporated has developed cotton-rich fabrics with PurThread that offer a nice hand and uniform colors, all while offering permanent anti-odor benefits.

PurThread’s inherent antimicrobial technology incorporates EPA-registered recycled silver salts into staple fiber and filament yarn at the extrusion level. This lends permanent fabric protection from odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus, yielding antimicrobial benefits that do not wash away or wear off for the life of the fabric. It also does not change the fabric’s physical characteristics.

READ MORE AThttp://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/03/prweb14103178.htm.

Cotton Research and Promotion Program Hall of Fame 2016 Inductees Announced

Cotton Incorporated has announced the 2016 class of the Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame. The program, now in its third year, recognizes U.S. cotton industry leaders that have made significant contributions to the Program or to the cotton industry in general. The honorees will be formally inducted into the Cotton Research and Promotion Program Hall of Fame at the joint Cotton Incorporated/Cotton Board annual meeting this December in New Orleans.

The four honorees for the 2016 Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame include: William A. "Bill" Baxter (Arkansas); the late Jack S. Hamilton (Louisiana); Kent Nix (Texas); and J. Nicholas "Nick" Hahn (New York).

The Cotton Research and Promotion Program was established in 1966 to expand the demand for upland cotton and to increase profitability for both cotton growers and importers of cotton products.

"Over the past few decades, the cotton industry has continued to evolve and advance in many ways," says Berrye Worsham, President and CEO of Cotton Incorporated. "The tireless dedication and many contributions of the 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees have shaped the industry as we know it today and will further impact future growth and advancement."

The 2016 honorees of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program Hall of Fame were chosen from nominations made by Certified Producer and Importer Organizations and voted upon by the Chairman's Committee of the Cotton Incorporated Board of Directors.

• William A. "Bill" Baxter has served as a board member of Cotton Council International, a member delegate of the National Cotton Council, and as a director and chairman of the Cotton Board. Baxter has also been the recipient of the "Arkansas Cotton Achievement Award," and was elected into the Arkansas Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1999. Baxter currently serves as President and Operating Officer of Baxter Land Company.
• Jack S. Hamilton (deceased) provided many years of leadership and dedication to the industry, having served as Chairman of Cotton Incorporated and Chairman of the National Cotton Council, a director of Cotton Council International, and the President of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. Hamilton also served as the first President of the Louisiana Cotton & Grain Association, an organization he helped found in 1968.
• Kent Nix is recognized for his long tenure and strong leadership during his time on The Cotton Board, beginning his service as an alternate and transitioning through the ranks before becoming Chairman. His role in ensuring and including the importer segment of the industry was very instrumental to the Program. Nix has also served on the Plains Cotton Growers Board of Directors and the Plains Cotton Improvement Committee.
• J. Nicholas "Nick" Hahn held several positions at Cotton Incorporated, and has the distinction of leading the company twice; as both the second and fourth President and CEO.  Hahn built on the marketing legacy of Dukes Wooters, the first President of Cotton Incorporated, and elevated the Company's marketing efforts to new levels of sophistication.

About Cotton Incorporated
Cotton Incorporated, funded by U.S. cotton producers and importers of cotton and cotton textile products, conducts worldwide research and promotion activities to increase the demand for and profitability of cotton.

Men's Shirt Fabric Short supply Request Filed

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements is considering a request to add certain woven cotton fabrics of very fine yarns to the short supply list of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promtion Agreement. The fabrics are woven fabric of combed cotton yarns, of 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarn count of 60 Nm or higher (60 Nm or finer), of various constructions and finishes, classified in Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States subheadings 5208.22, 5208.29, 5208.32, 5208.33, 5208.39, 5208.42, 5208.43, 5208.49, and 5208.52.Woven fabric of combed cotton yarns, of 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarn count of 60 Nm or higher (60 Nm or finer), of various constructions and finishes, classified in Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States subheadings 5208.22, 5208.29, 5208.32, 5208.33, 5208.39, 5208.42, 5208.43, 5208.49, and 5208.52.

The request was filed by Agathon Associates on behalf of Spataro Napoli S.A.

Spataro Napoli S.A. was founded by Don Domingo Spataro in 1958 in the city of Santiago de Cali, Colombia, the company is focused on the production of the best shirts for men and boys. Among the brand names under which Spataro Napoli's shirts are marketed are Camarucci, Roland, Arrow, and Manhattan.

Three New U.S.-Morocco Short Supply Requests Filed

On April 15, 2016, the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements published in the Federal Register (81 FR 22238) Request for public comments concerning a request for modification of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (USMFTA) rules of origin for pants, skirts, jackets, shirts, and casual dresses made from certain woven fabrics.

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Morocco, submitted on March 9, 2016, and updated on April 1, 2016, on behalf of CROSSING to initiate consultations under Article 4.3.3 of the USMFTA. The Government of Morocco is requesting that the United States and Morocco (``the Parties'') consider revising the rules of origin for pants, skirts, jackets, shirts and casual dresses to address availability of supply of certain woven fabrics in the territories of the Parties. The President of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USMFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches an agreement with the Government of Morocco on a modification under Article 4.3.6 of the USMFTA to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain woven fabrics can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

• Fabric 1: 100% lyocell classified in subheading 5516.11 and 5516.12 of the HTSUS;
• Fabric 2: Lyocell/cotton classified in subheading 5516.41, 5516.42, and 5516.43 of the HTSUS;
• Fabric 3: Cotton/polyester classified in subheading 5210.49 and 5211.42 of the HTSUS;
• Fabric 4: Cotton/polyester/elastane classified in subheading 5210.49 and 5211.4210 of the HTSUS;
• Fabric 5: Corduroy with cotton classified in subheading 5801.22 of the HTSUS; and
• Fabric 6: Corduroy polyester classified in subheading 5801.32 of the HTSUS

Comments must be submitted by May 16, 2016

On April 15, 2016, the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements published in the Federal Register (81 FR 22237) Request for public comments concerning a request for modification of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (USMFTA) rules of origin for certain women's pants made from certain woven fabrics.

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Morocco, dated March 9, 2016, on behalf of MODALINE HOLDING to initiate consultations under Article 4.3.3 of the USMFTA. The Government of Morocco is requesting that the United States and Morocco (``the Parties'') consider revising the rules of origin for women's pants to address availability of supply of certain woven fabrics in the territories of the Parties. The President of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USMFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches an agreement with the Government of Morocco on a modification under Article 4.3.6 of the USMFTA to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain woven fabrics can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

• Fabric 1: 45%-52% polyester, 45%-52% rayon, 1%-7% spandex woven synthetic bi-stretch fabric, classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS;
• Fabric 2: 60%-68% polyester, 29%-37% rayon, 1%-7% spandex woven poly-viscose fabric, classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS;
• Fabric 3: 31%-37% viscose, 17%-23% polyester, 17%-23% cotton, 13%-19% wool, 5%-11% nylon, 1%-6% spandex woven herringbone fabric, classified in subheading 5408.33 of the HTSUS;
• Fabric 4: 94%-99% virgin wool, 1%-6% spandex, twill stretch flannel reactive dyed fabric, classified in subheading 5112.11 of the HTSUS; and
• Fabric 5: 89%-95% polyester, 5%-11% spandex printed and solid woven polyester crepe fabric (with filament yarn size of 120D + 40D*120D + 40D and a construction of 175*104), classified in subheading 5407.61 of the HTSUS.

Comments must be submitted by May 16, 201

On April 15, 2016, the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements published in the Federal Register (81 FR 22236) Request for public comments concerning a request for modification of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (USMFTA) rules of origin for dresses, skirts, blouses and tops made from certain woven fabric.

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Morocco, dated March 1, 2016, on behalf of ARYANS to initiate consultations under Article 4.3.3 of the USMFTA. The Government of Morocco is requesting that the United States and Morocco (``the Parties'') consider revising the rules of origin for dresses, skirts, blouses and tops to address availability of supply of certain woven fabric in the territories of the Parties. The President of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USMFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches an agreement with the Government of Morocco on a modification under Article 4.3.6 of the USMFTA to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain woven fabric can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

Fabrics: 87%-93% cotton/5%-9% polyester/2%-4% elastane woven fabric, classified in subheading 5209.42 of the HTSUS.

Comments must be submitted by May 16, 2016.

Customs Proposed Change to Tariff Classification of Certain Cotton Pillowcases

In ruling letter, NY N239270, of March 26, 2013, to Welspun USA Inc, Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") determined that certain pillowcases were classified under subheading 6302.31.90, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States ("HTSUS"), which provides for “Bed linen, table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen: Other bed linen: Of cotton: Other: Not napped.” The rate of duty was 6.7%.

It is now CBP’s position that the subject merchandise is properly classified under subheading 6302.31.70, HTSUS, which provides for “Bed linen, table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen: Other bed linen: Of cotton: Other: Napped.” The rate of duty is 3.8%.

Comments must be received on or before January 22, 2016.

The notice of proposed revocation is in Customs Bulletin Vol. 49 No. 51, beginning on page 11.