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CITA Issues Interim Procedures on Colombia TPA Commercial Availability Requests

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements issued the interim procedures it will follow in implementing certain provisions of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which provides for CITA consideration of requests to modify the list of fibers, yarns, or fabrics not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the U.S. A textile or apparel good imported into the U.S. containing such listed fibers, yarns, or fabrics will be treated as if it is an originating good for purposes of Colombia TPA rules of origin, regardless of the actual origin of those inputs.

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The interim procedures are effective Nov. 6. Written comments on these interim procedures are due by Dec. 6.

CITA May Modify Short Supply List Upon Request. The U.S.-Colombia TPA contains a “Short Supply” list at Annex 3-B (here on page 3-38). The list currently includes fibers, yarns, and fabrics from Harmonized Tariff Schedule Chapters 51, 52, 54, 55, and 60. Through the procedures outlined by CITA in this notice, "interested entities" may request a CITA commercial availability determination. Interested entities include the government of Colombia; a potential or actual purchaser of a textile or apparel good; or a potential or actual supplier of a textile or apparel good. CITA may then add or remove fibers, yarns, and fabrics from the U.S.-Colombia TPA Short Supply List, and therefore accord or deny treatment for some textiles and apparel as originating goods for the purposes of U.S.-Colombia TPA rules of origin.

CITA contact: Maria Dybczak (202) 482-3400

(FR Pub 11/06/12)