U.S. CUSTOMS ATTEMPTS TO SPEED UP CLEARANCES OF TEXTILES

U.S. CUSTOMS ATTEMPTS TO SPEED UP CLEARANCES OF TEXTILES    Some textile visas or exempt certificates may be delayed in reaching their destination, due to delays of courier services in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
   As a result, the U.S. Committee for Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has directed U.S. Customs, with respect to all textile imports subject to visa requirements entered on or after Sept. 11, but prior to Sept. 29, to accept copies of textile visas or exempt certificates “conditional release” of these shipments.
   The original textile visa or exempt certificate must be presented to Customs upon receipt and no later than Oct. 12. Effective for textiles and textiles products entered on or after Sept. 29, original textile visas are required, said D. Michael Hutchison, acting chairman of CITA in his letter to Customs.
   CITA also recommended that Customs continue to require an Electronic Visa Information System (ELVIS) transmission for all shipments for which an ELVIS transmission is required.
   “Absent submission of the original textile visa or exempt certificate on or before Oct. 12, the goods will be deemed inadmissible,” Hutchison said.