2013 DR-CAFTA TPL for Nicaragua Cotton/MMF Apparel Announced
CBP issued a memorandum on the 2013 duty-free U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) tariff preference level for certain non-originating Nicaragua apparel of cotton or man-made fiber (MMF), or subject to cotton or MMF restraints, as provided for in HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 15.
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Goods subject to the TPL should be entered under HTS subheading 9915.61.01.
2013 TPL Limit for Certain Apparel, with Sublimit for Men’s Sport Coats
The 2013 Nicaragua cotton/MMF/restraints apparel TPL is for the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013 and opens on Jan. 2.
The TPL limit 100,000,000 square meter equivalents (SME). The sublimit for men’s sport coats is 1,500,000 SME.
Apparel Listed in Hundreds of Tariff Nos. Could Quality for TPL
In addition, HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 15 indicates that in order for Nicaragua apparel to qualify for this TPL, the apparel must:
- meet the applicable conditions for DR-CAFTA preferential tariff treatment under HTS General Note 29, other than the condition that they be originating goods and are both cut or knit to shape, and sewn or otherwise assembled, in Nicaragua,
- be classifiable under one of the [hundreds of] HTS Chapter 61 or 62 eight-digit tariff numbers listed in U.S. Note 15, and
- be described in U.S. Note 15 opposite the listings of eight-digit tariff numbers.
2013 Certificate of Eligibility Required
Importers must submit an original Certificate of Eligibility to CBP when making a TPL claim. The first number of the certificate must match the year of presentation, followed by the ISO code NI, followed by a unique alpha/numeric code. A 2013 certificate must accompany merchandise entered in 2013. CBP also notes no further editions of this QBT for Restraint Limits CAFTA Costa Rica Textiles will be issued until amendments in agreements or changes in quota amounts occur.
(QBT-12-538, dated 12/27/12)