Temporary Exemption of ``Fashion Samples'' From Visa and Quota Requirements

COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS

Temporary Exemption of ``Fashion Samples'' From Visa and Quota

Requirements

August 9, 1995.

AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Issuing a directive to the Commissioner of Customs exempting

``fashion samples'' from visa and quota requirements for a three-month

trial period.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Fennessy, International Trade

Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of

Commerce, (202) 482-3400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority: Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended;

section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as amended (7 U.S.C.

1854).

Effective on September 1, 1995, textile and apparel articles

described as ``fashion samples'' which are produced or manufactured in

various countries and entered into the United States for consumption

shall be exempt from visa and quota requirements for a three-month

trial period, beginning on September 1, 1995 and extending through

November 30, 1995.

The term ``fashion samples'' is limited to wearing apparel and

other textile articles purchased at retail and not imported in multiple

units, i.e., no more than a single article in a particular style and/or

color. These shipments must not be greater than twenty-four (24) pieces

and must accompany a returning buyer. Mail and cargo shipments would

not be eligible for treatment as ``fashion samples.''

Rita D. Hayes,

Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

August 9, 1995.

Commissioner of Customs,

Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20229.

Dear Commissioner: This directive amends, but does not cancel,

all import control directives issued to you by the Chairman,

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. This

directive also amends, but does not cancel, all visa requirements

for all countries for which visa arrangements are in place with the

United States.

Effective on September 1, 1995, for a three-month trial period,

you are directed to no longer require a visa for textile and apparel

articles described as ``fashion samples'' which are produced or

manufactured in various countries and entered into the United States

for consumption during the period beginning on September 1, 1995 and

extending through November 30, 1995. Also for the period September

1, 1995 through November 30, 1995, these textile and apparel

articles shall not be subject to existing quota.

These textile and apparel items, frequently called buyers

``fashion samples'' are limited to textile and apparel items

purchased at retail. The ``fashion samples'' must accompany a buyer

returning to the United States, must not be more than a single

article in a particular style or color and must not exceed more than

24 pieces total. Mail and cargo shipments would not be eligible for

treatment as ``fashion samples.''

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has

determined that this action falls within the foreign affairs

exception of the rulemaking provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1).

Sincerely,

Rita D. Hayes,

Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.

[FR Doc. 95-20093 Filed 8-14-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-DR-F