CBP Makes “Significant Change” in Textile Entry Requirements

(via World Trade Interactive)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently issued a memorandum to its field offices outlining “a significant change in textile entry requirements” in light of the elimination of quotas on merchandise from China entered after Dec. 31, 2008.

Formal Entry

On May 24, 1989, CBP provided a list of HTSUS numbers that required formal entry regardless of value because of quota/visa concerns as well as a separate list of HTSUS numbers for which formal entry was required because of regulatory requirements. With the elimination of the China quotas, however, there is no longer a requirement to file a formal entry as established by TBT-01-036, except (pursuant to 19 CFR 143.21(a)) with respect to shipments of articles valued in excess of $250 that are classified in HTSUS Sections VII, VIII, XI and XII; Chapter 94; and Chapter 99, subchapters III and IV. The following HTSUS numbers currently fall within these sections:

• 3901.10.1000 - 4304.00.0000
• 5001.00.0000 - 6704.90.0000
• 9401.10.4000 - 9406.00.8090
• 9903.02.21 - 9904.52.50

CBP states that it is in the process of reviewing the above regulations to raise the $250 limit but that before a change can be implemented it must be proposed through the formal regulatory process.

Commercial Samples

With the elimination of the visa arrangements, CBP states, no provisions remain that allow for properly marked commercial sample shipments. As a result, samples entering the U.S. must now meet the conditions in HTSUS chapter 98, under subheading 9811.00.60, providing for mutilated samples, or another chapter 98 provision, as appropriate. Read more here.