• Elimination of the requirement that a textile declaration be submitted for all importations of textile and apparel products
• Requirement that importers identify the manufacturer of such products through a Manufacturer Identification Code (MID)

The interim amendments reflect changes brought about, by the January 1, 2005 expiration of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (``ATC'') and the resulting elimination of quotas on the entry of textile and apparel products from World Trade Organization (``WTO'') members.

While the interim rule calls for the eradication of the requirement for the submission of a textile declaration to CBP, Deringer suggests that importers of textile and apparel products continue to submit the declaration, as it contains information which is critical to the accurate and timely classification of those goods.

Moreover, in reference to the second regulatory change, which requires the submission of a Manufacturer Identification Code (MID), Deringer requires that importers of textile and apparel products provide information that is vital to generating an accurate MID. The information required to generate an accurate MID is as follows:

• Complete name and address of the actual manufacturer of the textile product/garment.

Failure to provide this information on shipping documents, or the reporting of inaccurate information (e.g., provide shipper information in lieu of actual manufacturer) will greatly increase the risk of the shipment's rejection by CBP.

For more information regarding this advisory, please refer the following resources: