Statement 2007

Supporting Statement

Articles Assembled Abroad with Textile Components Cut to Shape in the U.S.

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A. Justification

1. Under the current textile rules of origin in 19 CFR 12.130, textile components which are cut to shape in the U.S. from foreign fabric qualify as U.S. origin components and are entitled to a duty exemption when assembled abroad and returned under subheading 9802.00.80, HTSUS. However, under section 334(b) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (the Act), the country of origin of textile and apparel products generally is the country where the assembly rather than the cutting took place. Section 334(b)(4)((A) of the Act continues the duty exemption for textile components which are cut to shape in the U.S. from foreign fabric, notwithstanding the fact that such components would no longer qualify as products of the U.S. under section 334(b) of the Act. This information enables Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine whether the requirements of 9802.00.80 are met in the context of claims for a duty exemption under section 334(b)(4)(A) of the Act.

2. The documentation requirements of 19 CFR 10.24 include a declaration of the foreign assembler, which describes the components and the assembly operations, and an endorsement by the importer, declaring that all information submitted is correct. These documents are submitted to CBP by the importer or agent, and enables CBP to ascertain whether the conditions and requirements relating to 9802.00.80, HTSUS, have been met, and that an exemption from payment of duties is warranted.

3. Automation of this information collection is planned in CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for no later than 2011.

4. This information is not duplicated in any other place or any other form.

5. This information collection does not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small businesses.

6. The information must be provided to CBP if the importer is to receive the duty exemption.

7. This information is collected in a manner consistent with the guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.6.

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8. Public comments were solicited through two Federal Register notices, including a 60-day notice dated July 12, 2007, Volume 72, Page 38094, and a 30-day notice dated September 13, 2007, Volume 72, Page 52384. As of this submission no comments have been received. If CBP receives any comments while this collection is under review at OMB, they will be forwarded.

9. There is no offer of a monetary or material value for this information collection.

10. No special assurance of confidentiality is provided with this information collection.

11. There are no trade secrets associated with this collection.

12. Estimated Annualized Burden on the Public The estimated burden for this information collection is 667 hours. This is based on 500 respondents who average 4 responses for a total of 2,000 responses annually at an estimated .333 hour (20 minutes) for a total burden of 667 hours.

Estimated Annualized Cost to the Public: The total cost to the public is $11,785.89, based on an estimated 667 burden hours at an estimated hourly rate of $17.67.

13. Estimated Record Keeping Burden on the Public. There is no recordkeeping burden associated with this information collection.

Estimated Capitalization Cost Burden on the Public. There are no capitalization costs associated with this information collection.

14. Estimated cost the Federal Government is $11,550. This is based upon 385 burden hours at an average hourly rate of $30.

15. There are no changes to this information collection.

16. This information collection will not be published for statistical purpose.

17. There is no form associated with this information collection.

18. CBP does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection

B. Collection Of Information Employing Statistical Methods

No statistical methods are used.