| Title: | MAR-GAZA AND WEST BANK |
|---|---|
| Date: | 1994-12-01 |
| To: | abi |
| Links: | previous, next |
TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.
FROM : LISA CROSBY
SUBJECT : MAR-GAZA AND WEST BANK
DATE : 11/28/94
6327071
NOVEMBER 23, 1994
CATEGORY: MAR CO:TO:TF:TP LAC
TO : ALL ASSISTANT REGIONAL COMMISSIONERS (OPERATIONS),
REGIONAL DIRECTORS FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, DISTRICT
DIRECTORS
FROM : DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF TRADE OPERATIONS
SUBJECT: MARKING OF GOODS OF THE WEST BANK AND GAZA
PASS TO: IMPORT SPECIALISTS, INSPECTORS AND OTHER INTERESTED
PARTIES SUCH AS BROKERS AND IMPORTERS
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ISRAELI-PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES ON INTERIM SELF-GOVERNMENT
ARRANGEMENTS, ISRAEL HAS TRANSFERRED CERTAIN POWERS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PALESTINE AUTHORITY. THE PALESTINE
AUTHORITY WILL ADMINISTER ITS OWN TARIFF REVENUE COLLECTION AND
OTHER CUSTOMS MATTERS. IN LIGHT OF THESE CHANGES, THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS NOTIFIEDTHE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE
TREASURY THAT IT BELIEVES THE PURPOSES OF 19 U.S.C. 1304 WOULD
BE BEST SERVED IF GOODS OF THE WEST BANK AND GAZA WERE MARKED
WITH THESE GEOGRAPHIC DESIGNATIONS.
IN THE PAST, CUSTOMS HAS RULED THAT GOODS MADE IN THE OCCUPIED
TERRITORIES MAY BE MARKED "MADE IN ISRAEL", "ISRAEL", "WEST BANK-
ISRAEL", OR "OCCUPIED TERRITORIES-ISRAEL". IN ALL CASES THE
COUNTRY DESIGNATION "ISRAEL" HAD TO APPEAR; "WEST BANK" AND
"GAZA" WERE TREATED AS MORE SPECIFIC LOCATIONS WITHIN ISRAEL.
ACTION:
1. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, GOODS FROM THE WEST BANK AND GAZA MAY
BE MARKED "GAZA" AND "WEST BANK" WITHOUT THE ADDITIONAL
COUNTRY DESIGNATION "ISRAEL".
2. CUSTOMS IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING MODIFYING OR REVOKING ITS
PRIOR RULINGS CONCERNING THE PROPER MARKING OF GOODS MADE IN
GAZA AND THE WEST BANK. THE OFFICE OF REGULATIONS AND
RULINGS WILL PUBLISH A NOTICE IN THE CUSTOMS BULLETIN
REQUESTING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS MATTER IN THE VERY NEAR
FUTURE. HOWEVER, UNTIL SUCH MODIFICATION OR REVOCATION
OCCURS, THESE RULINGS REMAIN VALID AND GOODS MAY CONTINUE TO
BE MARKED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEM.
PERSONS WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROPER MARKING OF GOODS FROM
GAZA AND THE WEST BANK MAY CONTACT THE SPECIAL CLASSIFICATION AND
MARKING BRANCH, OFFICE OF REGULATIONS AND RULINGS, AT (202) 482-
6980.
PHILIP METZGER