CSMS Message: 98-000278

TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.

FROM : CARLA ZZ-DONOFRIO

SUBJECT : SAP-TEMPORARY AMENDMENT

DATE : 04/01/98

MARCH 20, 1998

SPE-2-FO:TC:I:E CDD

TO : ALL PORT DIRECTORS, CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT CENTER (CMC)
DIRECTORS AND STRATEGIC TRADE CENTER (STC) DIRECTORS

FROM : DIRECTOR, TRADE COMPLIANCE

PASS TO : ALL IMPORT SPECIALISTS NATIONAL IMPORT SPECIALISTS,
ENTRY OFFICERS, INSPECTORS, INTERNATIONAL TRADE
SPECIALISTS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

SUBJECT : TBT-98-021- TEMPORARY AMENDMENT TO THE FOREIGN ORIGIN
EXCEPTION FINDINGS ANDTRIMMINGS UNDER THE SPECIAL ACCESS
PROGRAM.

BACKGROUND:

PURSUANT TO A CITA DIRECTIVE, DATED MARCH 20, 1998,
EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 23, 1998, BY DATE OF EXPORT, CUSTOMS HAS
BEEN DIRECTED TO EXTEND FOR A SIX MONTH PERIOD, FROM MARCH
23, 1998 TO SEPTEMBER 22, 1998, THE TEMPORARY AMENDMENT TO
THE FOREIGN ORIGIN EXCEPTION FINDINGS AND TRIMMINGS UNDER
THE SPECIAL ACCESS PROGRAM.

ACTION:

EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 23, 1998, BY DATE OF EXPORT, YOU ARE
DIRECTED TO EXTEND, FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD MARCH 23, 1998
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 1998, THE AMENDMENT TO TREAT NON-U.S.
FORMED, U.S.-CUT INTERLININGS, FURTHER DESCRIBED BELOW, FOR
MEN'S AND BOYS' WOOL AND MAN-MADE FIBER SUIT JACKETS AND
SUIT-TYPE JACKETS IN CATEGORIES 433, 443, 633 AND 643 AS
QUALIFYING FOR THE EXCEPTION FOR FINDINGS AND TRIMMINGS,
INCLUDING ELASTIC STRIPS LESS THAN ONE INCH IN WIDTH,
CREATED UNDER THE SPECIAL ACCESS PROGRAM ESTABLISHED
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 1986 (SEE 51 FR 21208). IN THE
AGGREGATE, SUCH INTERLININGS, FINDINGS AND TRIMMINGS MUST
NOT EXCEED 25 PERCENT OF THE COST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE
ASSEMBLED ARTICLE.

THE AMENDMENT IMPLEMENTED BY THIS DIRECTIVE SHALL BE OF A
TEMPORARY NATURE. THE AMENDMENT WILL TERMINATE ON SEPTEMBER
22, 1998, BY DATE OF EXPORT.

AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, NON-U.S. FORMED, U.S.-CUT INTERLININGS
MAY BE USED IN IMPORTS OF MEN'S OR BOYS' SUIT JACKETS AND
SUIT-TYPE JACKETS ENTERED UNDER THE SPECIAL ACCESS PROGRAM
(9802.00.8015) PROVIDED THEY ARE CUT IN THE UNITED STATES
AND OF A TYPE DESCRIBED BELOW:

(1) A CHEST PLATE, ``HYMO'' PIECE OR ``SLEEVE HEADER'' OF
WOVEN OR WEFT-INSERTED WARP KNIT CONSTRUCTION OF COARSE
ANIMAL HAIR OR MAN-MADE FILAMENTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
MEN'S OR BOYS' TAILORED SUIT JACKETS AND SUIT-TYPE JACKETS;

(2) A WEFT-INSERTED WARP KNIT FABRIC WHICH CONTAINS AND
EXHIBITS PROPERTIES OF ELASTICITY AND RESILIENCE WHICH
RENDER THE FABRIC ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR ATTACHMENT BY
FUSING WITH A THERMO-PLASTIC ADHESIVE TO THE COAT-FRONT,
SIDE BODY OR BACK OF MEN'S OR BOYS' TAILORED SUIT JACKETS
AND SUIT-TYPE JACKETS.

(3) A WOVEN FABRIC WHICH CONTAINS AND EXHIBITS PROPERTIES OF
RESILIENCY WHICH RENDER THE FABRIC ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR
ATTACHMENT BY FUSING WITH A THERMO-PLASTIC ADHESIVE TO THE
COAT-FRONT, SIDE BODY OR BACK OF MEN'S OR BOYS' TAILORED
SUIT JACKETS AND SUIT-TYPE JACKETS.

INFORMATION:

IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, CONCERNING THIS MATTER,
PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT CARLA D'ONOFRIO AT (202)
927-0424.

PHILIP METZGER