CUSTOMS ADJUSTS TARIFF RATE QUOTAS FOR CERTAIN WORSTED WOOL GOODS

CUSTOMS ADJUSTS TARIFF RATE QUOTAS FOR CERTAIN WORSTED WOOL GOODS    U.S. Customs has issued an interim rule affecting tariff-rate quotas on certain worsted wool fabric goods imported into the United States.
   Customs determined that the duty rate on certain worsted wool fabrics were higher than the duties on certain finished worsted wool goods, such as men's suits.
   “By applying a higher tariff rate to the worsted wool fabric, than to the more labor-intensive and higher-value-added apparel items that are made from the fabric, the tariff schedule in effect provides an incentive for the importation of the finished apparel items at the lower duty rate,” Customs said. Furthermore the tariff inversion is further affected by a reduction in the tariffs on men's wool suits that are made in Canada and Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
   Consequently, Customs has reduced the tariff-rate quota on certain fabrics.
   Written comments on the interim rule can be addressed to the Regulations Branch, U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 3rd Floor, Washington D.C. 20229. For more information, contact Erin Riley, Office of Field Operations, (202) 927-5395.