Fine Animal Hair Yarn, MMF Tow, Polyurethane Coated Fabric, and Certain Stretch Knits Excluded from China 301

On March 20, 2020, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced 177 new China 301 Exclusions.

57) Yarn of cashmere or camel hair, carded but not combed, not put up for retail sale (described in statistical reporting number 5108.10.8000)

58) Polyester filament tow, weighing at least 225 ktex but not more than 275 ktex (described in statistical reporting number 5501.20.0000)

59) Polypropylene fiber tow weighing at least 225 ktex but not more than 275 ktex (described in statistical reporting number 5501.40.0000)

60) Textile fabrics of woven polyester or of a blend of cotton and polyester, coated on one side with expanded polyurethane which comprises more than 70 percent of the total weight of the product, the entire thickness of the fabric measuring at least 0.8 mm but not more than 1.22 mm in thickness and weighing at least 350 g/m² or more but not more than 425 g/m² (described in statistical reporting number 5903.20.2000)

61) Circular single knitted fabric, containing by weight 96 percent polyester and 4 percent spandex, dyed (described in statistical reporting number 6006.32.0080)

Fabrics Sought for CAFTA Application

Agathon Associates have been contacted by an apparel manufacturer in Guatemala seeking the following fabrics.

FABRIC SPECS		Need Q'ty in 2020	until March 2020	until June 2020
Fiber content :	87/13% Polyester/Wool 2 Layer Merino Wool	7,000 yds	3,000 yds	4,000 yds
Yarn number :	Outside : 41s 70/30% Poly/Wool, Inside : 40s Polyester Spun
Fabric :	Circular (Double Knit)
Weight :	230g/m2
Finished :	Wicking

FABRIC SPECS		Need Q'ty in 2020	until March 2020	until June 2020
Fiber content :	87/13% Polyester/Wool Thermawool	6,000 yds	3,000 yds	3,000 yds
Yarn number :	70s 70/30% Poly/Wool, Inside : DTY 100D/144F
Fabric :	Circular (Double Knit)
Weight :	180g/m2
Finished :	Wicking, Pin Brush Insade

FABRIC SPECS		Need Q'ty in 2020	until March 2020	until June 2020
Fiber content :	57% EcoNyl Regenerated Nylon, 38% PA, 5% Spandex	2,000 yds	1,000 yds	1,000 yds
Yarn number :	152/70 Econyl Regenerated Nylon, 95/70 PA Covering Yarn with SP 40D
Fabric :	Plain Weave with Spandex
Weight :	107g/m2
Finished :	N/A

FABRIC SPECS		Need Q'ty in 2020	until March 2020	until June 2020
Fiber content :	100% Polyester with a coated PU face	1,000 yds	500 yds	500 yds
Yarn number :	DTY 150/144
Fabric :	Circular (Single Knit)
Weight :	240g/m2
Finished :	Pin Brush Inside

If you are interested in this business opportunity contact David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com and I'll put you in touch with the requesting company.

Fabrics Sought for CAFTA Application

Agathon Associates have been contacted by an apparel manufacturer in Guatemala seeking the following fabrics.

FABRIC SPECS		Need Q'ty in 2020	until March 2020	until June 2020
Fiber content :	87/13% Polyester/Wool 2 Layer Merino Wool	7,000 yds	3,000 yds	4,000 yds
Yarn number :	Outside : 41s 70/30% Poly/Wool, Inside : 40s Polyester Spun
Fabric :	Circular (Double Knit)
Weight :	230g/m2
Finished :	Wicking

FABRIC SPECS		Need Q'ty in 2020	until March 2020	until June 2020
Fiber content :	87/13% Polyester/Wool Thermawool	6,000 yds	3,000 yds	3,000 yds
Yarn number :	70s 70/30% Poly/Wool, Inside : DTY 100D/144F
Fabric :	Circular (Double Knit)
Weight :	180g/m2
Finished :	Wicking, Pin Brush Insade

FABRIC SPECS		Need Q'ty in 2020	until March 2020	until June 2020
Fiber content :	57% EcoNyl Regenerated Nylon, 38% PA, 5% Spandex	2,000 yds	1,000 yds	1,000 yds
Yarn number :	152/70 Econyl Regenerated Nylon, 95/70 PA Covering Yarn with SP 40D
Fabric :	Plain Weave with Spandex
Weight :	107g/m2
Finished :	N/A

FABRIC SPECS		Need Q'ty in 2020	until March 2020	until June 2020
Fiber content :	100% Polyester with a coated PU face	1,000 yds	500 yds	500 yds
Yarn number :	DTY 150/144
Fabric :	Circular (Single Knit)
Weight :	240g/m2
Finished :	Pin Brush Inside

If you are interested in this business opportunity contact David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com and I put you in touch with the requesting company.

Morocco Knit Fabric Short Supply Request List

On Monday we REPORTED on a request from the Government of Morocco to have several knit fabrics added to the short supply list. The list includes a wide range of circular knits, warp knits, stretch knits, and fleece.

Note, that although the request from the Government of Morocco relates the fabrics on the list to specific end-use apparel articles, it is likely that were a fabric approved from a particular end use, that future requests may be made for the same fabric for other end uses, and approval in this case would be cited as the basis for the later request.

Note, that the classifications given for the fabrics are at the 6-digit subheading level, which is much broader than the U.S. 10-digit statistical breakout that many U.S. companies are accustomed to working with, with the result that each of the 19 "fabrics" is actually a itself of group of fabrics.

Agathon Associates has prepared a SPREADSHEET to assist clients in evaluating this long list of requested fabrics. To access the file you will need your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.

Agathon Associates Respond to Bahrain Knitted Textiles Short Supply Request

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.

On May 31, 2017, Agathon Associates filed COMMENTS in opposition to the inclusion of fabrics for knitted apparel in the Bahrain FTA short supply list.

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.

Swimsuit Fabric Short Supply Request Effectively Denied

On November 16, 2015, the Government of the United States received a request from the Swimsuit Commission Corporation ("SCC"), that the United States and Morocco consider revising the rules of origin for certain women’s and girls’ swimwear to address availability of supply of certain printed and piece-dyed warp knit fabrics of polyester or nylon fibers classified under HTSUS subheading 6004.10 containing between 3 percent and 41 percent elastomeric yarns, in which the elastomeric yarns were engineered for chlorine resistance, which the SCC alleged cannot be supplied by the U.S. and Moroccan industries in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

Public comments in opposition were submitted by Agathon Associates, Darlington Fabrics, Elastic Fabrics of America, McMurray Fabrics, and the National Council of Textile Organizations and The American Fiber Manufacturers Association.The Government of Morocco submitted comments in favor of the request.

After approximately 15 months of ongoing engagement between the petitioner and U.S. domestic mills, the government posted this week on the otexa.trade.gov website the finding of "Indications that commercial availability exists." No further action on this request is expected.

Certain Warp Stretch Woven Rayon Blend Fabrics Short Supply Filed

Date Received	04/12/2016
Responses with Offer to Supply	04/26/2016
Rebuttal to Responses with Offer to Supply	05/02/2016
Projected Completion Date	05/24/2016
Company Name	GDLSK for Tang Textiles
Product	Certain Warp Stretch Woven Rayon Blend Fabrics Fabric #1: Warp Stretch Woven Rayon, Nylon, Spandex Fabric HTS: 5516.22.00; 5516.23.00; 5516.24.00 Fiber Content: Rayon: 67-80%; Nylon 15-35%; Spandex 2-6% Yarn configuration: Warp - nylon filament combined with spandex filament Filling - rayon staple Yarn Denier: Nylon and Spandex of various deniers. Width: metric: 139-153 cm English: 55-60 in Weight: 220-315 grams per square meter Thread Count (Density): Metric: 30-74 ends per cm (warp) X 27-38 picks per cem (filling) English: 76-185 ends per inch (warp) X 70-95 picks per inch (filling) Weave type: Various weaves Finish/Processing: Of yarns of different colors and/or piece dyed and/or printed. Fabric #2: Warp Stretch Woven Rayon, Polyester, Nylon, Spandex Fabric HTS: 5407.10.00; 5407.92.20; 5407.93.20; 5407.94.20; 5516.22.00; 5516.23.00; 5516.24.00 Fiber Content: Rayon: 30-70%; Polyester: 20-52%; Nylon 9-35%; Spandex 2-6% Yarn configuration: Warp - nylon filament, polyester filament and spandex filament Filling - rayon staple combined with polyester filament Yarn Denier: Polyester, Nylon and Spandex of various deniers. Width: metric: 139-153 cm English: 55-60 in Weight: 220-315 grams per square meter Thread Count (Density): Metric: 30-48 ends per cm (warp) X 27-40 picks per cem (filling) English: 76-120 ends per inch (warp) X 70-100 picks per inch (filling) Weave -type: Various weaves Finish/Processing: Of yarns of different colors and/or piece dyed and/or printed.
Quantity Requested
Fabric, Fiber, or Yarn?	Fabric
Contact	Dybczak- Maria
File Number	199.2016.04.12.Fabric.GDLSKforTangTextiles

More Details of Trans-Pacific Partnership

Agathon Associates has added to its analysis of the Trans-Pacific Partnership ("TPP") new pages relating to --

• Cotton on the Short Supply List,

• Rules of Origin and Tariff Phase Out Schedule for Cotton, and

• Strech Knits on the Short Supply List.

This information is available to clients of Agathon Associates, subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service, and students in David Trumbull's TMD 433 course at the University of Rhode Island. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.

Customized reports are available upon request

DR-CAFTA Short Supply Request Relating to Certain Cotton/Polyester/Spandex Rib Knit Velour Pile Fabric

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) is considering a Commercial Availability Request for certain polyester/nylon cut corduroy fabric, file number: 185.2014.03.20.Fabric.ST&RforHansae, as specified below.

Responses are due by 11:59 P.M. (EST), April 3, 2014. Rebuttals are due by 11:59 P.M. (EST), April 9, 2014.

SPECIFICATIONS: Certain Cotton/Polyester/Spandex Rib Knit Velour Pile Fabric

HTS: 6001.91.00

Fiber Content: 55-61% cotton, 37-41% polyester, 2-4% spandex

Yarn Type/Size: all

Machine Gauge: 20-22 GG

Fabric Weight: 237-263 grams per meter squared

Fabric Width: 145 cm or greater

NOTE: 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