WORLD TRADE G/TMB/N/276
22July1997
ORGANIZATION(97-2996)
Original: English Textiles Monitoring Body
AGREEMENT ONTEXTILES AND CLOTHING
Notification under Article 2.17
UNITED STATES
Administrative Arrangements withJamaica
TheTextiles Monitoring Body hasreceived thefollowing notification fromtheUnited States
pursuant toparagraph 17ofArticle 2.TheTMB iscirculating thisnotification toWTO Members
fortheirinformation.G/TMB/N/276
Page2
Executive Office ofthePresident
Office oftheUnited States Trade Representative
14April 1997
TheHonourable Ambassador András Szepesi
Chairman
Textiles Monitoring Body
World Trade Organization
RuedeLausanne
1211 Geneva
Dear Ambassador Szepesi,
Attached youwillfindmyGovernment 'snotification ofAdministrative Arrangements for
Bangladesh, Jamaica1,Kenya, Mauritius andPoland made pursuant toArticle 2.17oftheAgreement
onTextiles andClothing. Inaddition, Iamsubmitting corrected copies ofprevious 2.17notifications
forPakistan andHaiti. InthecaseofPakistan, thecorrected notification includes paragraph 3ofthe
bilateral agreement which wasmistakenly omitted from ouroriginal notification. Inaddition, the
corrected version ofthenotification forHaiti omits paragraph 5ofthebilateral agreement which was
mistakenly included intheoriginal notification.
Sincerely,
(signed) Ambassador RitaHayes
Chief Textile Negotiator
1This document contains theAdministrative Arrangements concluded with Jamaica. Administrative
Arrangements concluded withtheother Members listed above willbecirculated asseparate documents.
Note: Annex Dreferred tointhetextcontains thelistofrestrictions notified bytheUnited States pursuant to
Article 2.1andassuch itisnotpartoftheAdministrative Arrangements.G/TMB/N/276
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JAMAICA
Thefollowing provisions drawn from theUnited States-Jamaica bilateral textile andapparel
agreementof27June,10August,19and27September1994arenecessaryfortheproperimplementation
ofrestrictions notified totheTextile Monitoring Body under Article 2.1oftheAgreement onTextiles
andClothing.
Coverage ofAgreement
2.(A) Effective 1January 1989, textiles andtextile products covered bythisAgreement arethose
setforth inAnnex A.Thesystem ofcategories andtherates ofconversion intosquare
metres (SME) listed inAnnex Ashallapply inimplementing thisAgreement, except asprovided
forinparagraph 3(E)below.
Classification
3.(B) Theterms "textiles" and"textile products" arelimited totops, yarns, piece goods, made-up
articles, garments, andother textile manufactured products, allbeing products which derive
theirchief characteristics from theirtextile components ofcotton, wool, orman-made fibre
orblends thereof, inwhich anyorallofthose fibres incombination represent thechiefweight
oftheproduct. Components ofanarticle which arenotconsidered relevant totheclassification
under theGeneral Rules ofInterpretation oftheLegal Notes toSection XIoftheHarmonized
System arelikewise tobedisregarded here. Forthepurposes ofthisAgreement, textile products
covered bythisparagraph shallbeclassified as:
(I) Man-made fibretextiles, iftheproduct isinchiefweight ofman-made fibres, unless:
(a) theproduct isknitted orcrocheted apparel inwhich wool equals orexceeds
23percentbyweight ofallfibres, inwhich casetheproduct willbeawool
textile; or
(b) theproductisapparel,notknittedorcrocheted,inwhichwoolequalsorexceeds
36percentbyweight ofallfibres, inwhich casetheproduct willbeawool
textile; or
(c) theproduct isawoven fabric inwhich wool equals orexceeds 36percent
byweight ofallfibres, inwhich casetheproduct willbeawool textile;
(II) cotton textiles ifnotcovered by(I)andiftheproduct isinchiefweight ofcotton, unless
theproduct isawoven fabric inwhich woolequals orexceeds 36percentbyweight
ofallfibres, inwhich casetheproduct willbeawool textile;
(III) wool textiles, ifneither oftheforegoing applies, andtheproduct isinchief weight
ofwool;
(IV) non-cotton vegetable fibresweaters, ifnoneoftheforegoing applies andtheproduct
isinchief weight ofnon-cotton vegetable fibre, unless:
(a) cotton withwool and/or man-made fibres intheaggregate equal orexceed
50percentbyweightofthecomponentfibresthereofandthecottoncomponent
equals orexceeds theweight ofeachofthetotalwooland/or man-made fibre
component, inwhich casetheproduct willbeacotton textile;G/TMB/N/276
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(b) ifnotcovered by2(D)(IV)(a) andwool exceeds 17percentbyweight ofall
component fibres, inwhich casetheproduct willbeconsidered awooltextile;
(c) ifnotcovered by2(D)(IV)(a) or(b)andman-made fibres incombination with
cotton and/or wool intheaggregate equal orexceed 50percentbyweight
ofthecomponent fibres thereof andtheman-made fibrecomponent exceeds
theweight ofthetotalwool and/or totalcotton component, inwhich casethe
product willbeconsidered aman-made fibretextile.
(C) Coverage under thisparagraph isintended tobeidentical withtheterms ofArticle 12ofthe
Arrangement Regarding International Trade inTextiles, andinconformance withparagraph 24
ofthe31July1986 Protocol ofExtension. Intheevent ofaquestion regarding whether a
product iscovered bythisAgreement byvirtue ofbeing chiefweight cotton, wool, man-made
fibreornon-cotton vegetable fibre, thechief value ofthefibres maybeconsidered.
(D) Forthepurpose ofthisAgreement, thecategories listed below aremerged andtreated assingle
categories asindicated:
Merged Categories andConversion Factors
Categories Merged Designation inAgreement Conversion Factor
331,631 331/631 2.9
336,636 336/636 37.9
338,339,638,639 338/339/638/639 10.0
340,640 340/640 20.1
341,641 341/641 12.1
342,642 342/642 14.9
345,845 345/845 30.8
347,348,647,648 347/348/647/648 14.9
352,652 352/652 11.3
445,446 445/446 12.4
Flexibility Adjustments
9.(A)(I) Specific limits listed inAnnex Ddonotinclude anyadjustments permitted under this
paragraph;
(II) During anyagreement period, anyspecific limitmaybeexceeded bynotmore than
7percentswing, provided thatacorresponding reduction insquare metres equivalent
ismade inanyother specific limits during thesame agreement period.
(B)(I) Theextent towhich anyspecific limitmaybeexceeded bycarry forward (borrowing
aportion ofthecorresponding specific limitfrom thesucceeding agreement period)
and/or carryover (theuseofanyunused meterage -shortfall -ofthecorresponding
specific limitfortheprevious agreement period) is11percent,ofwhich carry forward
shallnotconstitute more than6percent;
(II) nocarryover shall beavailable forapplication inthefirstagreement period. No
carry forward shallbeavailable forapplication inthefinalagreement period.G/TMB/N/276
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(C) ForthepurposesofthisAgreement,ashortfalloccurswhenexportsoftextilesortextileproducts
ofJamaica totheUnited States during anyagreement period arebelow theapplicable specific
limitassetoutinAnnex Dor,inthecaseofanylimitdecreased pursuant totheprovisions
ofthisparagraph, when suchexports arebelow thespecific limitasdecreased.
(D) Subject totheprovisions ofsubparagraphs 9(A), 9(B)and9(C)above, theGovernment ofthe
United States mayapply flexibility under thisparagraph tospecific limits onanycategory or
product whenever thatadjustment appears appropriate tofacilitate theflowoftrade andthe
sound administration oftheAgreement. Totheextent thatsuchadjustments areactually utilized
theywillbeimplemented bymeans ofcarryover andcarry forward inthatorder. Anyunused
flexibility willbere-credited tothedonor limit. Thisprocedure willnotprejudice theoutcome
ofanyconsultations between ourgovernments concerning theamounts offlexibility available.
Overshipment Charges
10.(A) Products ofJamaica inexcess ofagreed levels inanyagreement period maybedenied entry
intotheUnited States. Anysuchshipments denied entryintotheUnited States maybepermitted
entry inthesucceeding agreement period andcharged totheapplicable limit. TheGovernment
oftheUnited States ofAmerica shallinform theGovernment ofJamaica ofanysuchcharges.
(B) Products ofJamaica shipped inexcess ofauthorized levels inanyagreement period will,if
entered intotheUnited States during thatagreement period, becharged totheapplicable level
inthesucceeding agreement period.
(C) Anyaction taken pursuant tothisparagraph willnotprejudice therights ofeither sideregarding
consultations.
Spacing Provisions
11. TheGovernment ofJamaica shalluseitsbestefforts tospace exports ofitsproducts tothe
United States within eachcategory, sub-category, orpart-category evenly throughout eachagreement
period, taking intoconsideration normal seasonal factors.
United States 'Assistance inImplementation oftheLimitation Provisions
12. TheGovernment ofJamaica shalladminister itsexport control system under thisAgreement.
TheGovernment oftheUnited States mayassist theGovernment ofJamaica inimplementing the
provisions ofthisAgreement bycontrolling imports bythedateofexport oftextiles andtextile products
covered bythisAgreement.
Exchange ofData
13.(A) Inaccordance withtheirrespective domestic laws, theGovernment oftheUnited States and
theGovernment ofJamaica shallpromptly exchange statistics onmonthly trade incotton,
man-madefibre,wool,andothernon-cottonvegetablefibretextiles.Similarly,eachgovernment
agrees tosupply promptly anyother available statistical datanecessary totheimplementation
ofthisAgreement.
(B) Itisrecognized thatinorder fortheGovernment ofJamaica todischarge itsobligations under
paragraph 13(A), theGovernment oftheUnited States shallprovide theGovernment ofJamaica
onrequest withtechnical assistance, including training, toupgrade andsimplify existing
data-gathering procedures.G/TMB/N/276
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Mutually Satisfactory Administrative Arrangements
14. Mutually satisfactory administrative arrangements oradjustments maybemade toresolve minor
problems arising intheimplementation ofthisAgreement, including difference inpoints ofprocedure
oroperation.
Consultation onImplementation Questions
15. TheGovernment oftheUnited States andtheGovernment ofJamaica agree, upon request of
theother, toconsult onanyquestion arising intheimplementation ofthisAgreement.
VisaandCertification System
19. BothGovernments agree tomaintain acorrect category/correct quantity visaandcertification
system.
Cooperation inthePrevention ofCircumvention
20.(A) TheGovernment oftheUnited States andtheGovernment ofJamaica commit toworking on
abilateral leveltofacilitate theflowofinformation, towork toward establishing relationships
andarrangements between appropriate lawenforcement andother authorized agencies inorder
tobetter theexchange ofspecific documents andinformation, andtooutline themutually
agreeable on-going processes thatwillbetaken topromote greater cooperation andadditional
exchanges ofinformation inorder tobetter prevent andaddress illegal transshipment.
(B) TheGovernment oftheUnited States andtheGovernment ofJamaica agree totakemeasures
necessary toaddress, toinvestigate and,where appropriate, totakelegaland/or administrative
action toprevent circumvention ofthisAgreement bytransshipment, rerouting, falsedeclaration
concerning country oforigin, unauthorized entry ofgoods, counterfeit documents, oranyother
means.
(C) Bothparties agree tocooperate fully, consistent withtheirdomestic lawsandprocedures, in
instances ofcircumvention oralleged circumvention oftheAgreement toaddress problems
arising from circumvention andtoestablish therelevant factsintheplaces ofimport, export
and,where applicable, transshipment. Suchcooperation, totheextent consistent withdomestic
laws andprocedures, willinclude investigation ofcircumvention practices; exchange of
documents, correspondence, reports andother relevant information, totheextent available;
andfacilitation ofjointimpromptu plantvisits andcontacts byrepresentatives ofeither party,
upon request andonacase-by-case basis.
(D) Bothparties alsoagree tocooperate intheimplementation ofabilateral electronic dataexchange
system (EDES).
(E) Ifeither party believes thisAgreement isbeing circumvented itmayrequest consultations to
address thematter ormatters concerned withaviewtoseeking amutually satisfactory solution.
Eachparty agrees toholdsuchconsultations promptly, beginning within 30daysofarequest
byaparty andconcluding within 90days, unless extended bymutual agreement, andto
cooperate fullyinterms oftheelements setoutinparagraph (C)above.
(F) Should theparties beunable toreach asatisfactory solution inthecourse oftheconsultations
called forunder paragraph (E),thentheGovernments ofJamaica andtheUnited States agree
thatincaseswhereclearevidenceregardingcircumventionhasbeenprovidedtotheGovernmentG/TMB/N/276
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ofJamaica, theUnited States maydeduct fromthequantitative limits forthatagreement period
amounts equivalent totheamount oftransshipped products ofJamaican origin. Anysuchaction
shallbenotified totheTSBwithfulljustification. BoththeGovernment oftheUnited States
andtheGovernment ofJamaica agree, consistent withdomestic lawsandprocedures, tomake
every effort topunish thespecific andnamed perpetrators ofillegal andfraudulent acts,at
theadministrative, civiland/or criminal levels.
(G) Inaddition, theGovernments ofJamaica andtheUnited States agree thatdeductions fromthe
quantitative limits established under thisAgreement maybemade inthose instances inwhich:
(I) theUnited States possesses information showing asubstantial likelihood that
circumvention hasoccurred;
(II) theUnited States hasmade awritten request forJamaican cooperation orinformation
relevant tothepossible circumvention thatisofatypethatisavailable toandcould
reasonablybeobtainedinaccordancewithdomesticlawsbytheGovernmentofJamaica;
and
(III) theGovernment ofJamaica hasnotprovided suchinformation, orcooperation within
theperiod forconsultation outlined inparagraph (E). Thisdoesnotrequire the
provision ofinformation thatisprohibited bydomestic law. Anysuchaction shall
benotified totheTSBwithfulljustification.
(H) Should theUnited States choose toexercise itsrights under paragraph (F)or(G)todeduct
anamount oramounts from thequantitative limits ofacountry where repeated instances of
circumvention havebeendemonstrated within thecurrent orimmediately preceding agreement
year, thentheUnited States maydeduct fromthequantitative limitamounts uptothree times
theamounts transshipped, provided thatsuchdeductions aredistributed equally ineachofthe
three following years.
(I) Where thereisevidence showing thatgoods originating inanother country havebeenshipped
through Jamaica totheUnited States asthough theywereproducts ofJamaica, theGovernments
ofJamaica andtheUnited States agree totakeappropriate action. Such action mayinclude
theintroduction ofrestraints intherelevant category orcategories ordeducting theamount
ofgoods soshipped from thequantitative limits established forthecurrent agreement year
under thisAgreement forshipments originating inJamaica. Anysuchactions, together with
theirtiming andscope, maybetaken afterconsultation heldwithaviewofarriving atamutually
satisfactory solution andshallbenotified totheTSBwithfulljustification. Suchconsultations
should beheldpromptly, beginning within 30daysofarequest byaparty, andconcluding
within 90days, unless extended bymutual agreement. Should theparties beunable toreach
asatisfactory solution, thentheGovernments ofJamaica andtheUnited States agree thatin
cases where clearinformation regarding circumvention hasbeenprovided, theUnited States
mayintroduce arestraint or,where arestraint already exists, maydeduct fromthequantitative
limits established under thisAgreement anamount equivalent totheamount ofproduct
transshipped through Jamaica. BoththeGovernment oftheUnited States andtheGovernment
ofJamaica will,consistent withdomestic lawsandprocedures, make every effort topunish
thespecific andnamed perpetrators ofillegal andfraudulent acts,attheadministrative, civil
and/or criminal levels.
(J) Parties agree thatfalse declaration concerning fibre content, quantities, description or
classifications ofmerchandise alsofrustrates theobjective ofthisAgreement. Where there
isevidence thatanysuchfalsedeclaration hasbeenmade forpurposes ofcircumvention, bothG/TMB/N/276
Page8
parties agree totakeappropriate measures, consistent withtheirdomestic lawsandprocedures,
against exporters orimporters involved. Should either party believe thatthisAgreement is
being circumvented bysuchfalsedeclaration andthatno,orinadequate, civil, criminal, and
administrative measures arebeing applied toaddress and/or totakeaction against such
circumvention, thatpartyshould consult promptly withthepartyinvolved withaviewtoseeking
amutually satisfactory solution. Suchconsultations should beheldpromptly beginning within
30daysofarequest byaparty, andconcluding within 90days, unless extended bymutual
agreement. Should theparties beunable toreach asatisfactory solution, thentheGovernments
ofJamaica andtheUnited States agree thatincases where evidence regarding suchfalse
declarations hasbeenprovided, thentheUnited States maydeduct fromthequantitative limits
established forthecurrent agreement yearanamount equivalent totheamount ofproduct subject
tothefalsedeclaration orclassification. Thisprovision isnotintended toprevent parties from
making technical adjustments when inadvertent errors indeclarations havebeenmade.
Exchange ofInformation
21. Subjecttodomesticlaws,eachgovernmentagreestosupplypromptlyanyinformationreasonably
believed tobenecessary totheenforcement ofthisAgreement requested bytheother government.G/TMB/N/276
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ANNEX A
Categories numbered inthe:
- 200series areofcotton and/or man-made fibre;
- 300series areofcotton;
- 400series areofwool;
- 600series areofman-made fibre.
Category Description Conversion
Factor toSquare
MetresUnit
YARN
200 Yarn putupforretail sale,andsewing thread 6.6 kg.
201 Specialty yarns 6.5 kg.
300 Carded yarns 8.5 kg.
301 Combed yarns 8.5 kg.
400 Wool yarns 3.7 kg.
600 Textured filament yarn 6.5 kg.
603 Yarn containing 85%ormore byweight
artificial staple fibre 6.3 kg.
604 Yarn containing 85%ormore byweight
synthetic staple fibre 7.6 kg.
606 Non-textured filament yarn 20.1 kg.
607 Other staple fibreyarn 6.5 kg.
FABRIC
218 Ofyarns ofdifferent colours 1.0 m2
219 Duck 1.0 m2
220 Fabric ofspecial weave 1.0 m2
222 Knitfabric 12.3 kg.
223 Non-woven fabrics 14.0 kg.
224 Pileandtufted fabrics 1.0 m2
225 Denim 1.0 m2
226 Cheesecloth, batistes, lawns orvoiles 1.0 m2
227 Oxford cloth 1.0 m2
229 Special purpose fabric 13.6 kg.
313 Sheeting 1.0 m2
314 Poplin andbroadcloth 1.0 m2
315 Printcloth 1.0 m2
317 Twills 1.0 m2
326 Sateens 1.0 m2
410 Woven Fabrics 1.0 m2
414 Other wool fabrics 2.8 kg.G/TMB/N/276
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Category Description Conversion
Factor toSquare
MetresUnit
611 Woven fabrics containing 85%ormore by
weight artificial staple fibres 1.0 m2
613 Sheeting 1.0 m2
614 Poplin &broadcloth 1.0 m2
615 Printcloth 1.0 m2
617 Twills &Sateens 1.0 m2
618 Woven artificial filament 1.0 m2
619 Polyester filament fabric 1.0 m2
620 Other synthetic filament fabric 1.0 m2
621 Impression fabric 14.4 kg.
622 Glass fibrefabric 1.0 m2
624 Woven man-made fibrefabric, containing
more than15%butlessthan36%wool
staple/filament combination 1.0 m2
625 Poplin &broadcloth 1.0 m2
626 Printcloth 1.0 m2
627 Sheeting 1.0 m2
628 Twills &Sateens 1.0 m2
629 Other 1.0 m2
APPAREL
237 Playsuits, sunsuits, etc. 19.2 doz.
239 Babies garments andclothing accessories 6.3 kg.
330 Handkerchiefs 1.4 doz.
331 Gloves &mittens 2.9 dpr
332 Hosiery 3.8 dpr
333 M&B suit-type coats 30.3 doz.
334 Other M&B coats 34.5 doz.
335 W&G coats 34.5 doz.
336 Dresses 37.9 doz.
338 M&B knitshirts 6.0 doz.
339 W&G knitshirts &blouses 6.0 doz.
340 M&B shirts, notknit 20.1 doz.
341 W&G shirts/blouses, notknit 12.1 doz.
342 Skirts 14.9 doz.
345 Sweaters 30.8 doz.
347 M&B trousers, breeches &shorts 14.9 doz.
348 W&G trousers, breeches &shorts 14.9 doz.
349 Brassieres &body supporting garments 4.0 doz.
350 Dressing gowns, etc. 42.6 doz.G/TMB/N/276
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Category Description Conversion
Factor toSquare
MetresUnit
351 Nightwear &pyjamas 43.5 doz.
352 Underwear 9.2 doz.
353 M&B down-filled coats 34.5 doz.
354 W&G down-filled coats 34.5 doz.
359 Other cotton apparel 8.5 kg.
431 Gloves &mittens 1.8 dpr
432 Hosiery 2.3 dpr
433 M&B suit-type coats 30.1 doz.
434 Other M&B coats 45.1 doz.
435 W&G coats 45.1 doz.
436 Dresses 41.1 doz.
438 Knitshirts &blouses 12.5 doz.
439 Babies garments andclothing accessories 6.3 kg.
440 Shirts &blouses, notknit 20.1 doz.
442 Skirts 15.0 doz.
443 M&B suits 3.76 No.
444 W&G suits 3.76 No.
445 M&B sweaters 12.4 doz.
446 W&G sweaters 12.4 doz.
447 M&B trousers, breeches &shorts 15.0 doz.
448 W&G trousers, breeches &shorts 15.0 doz.
459 Other wool apparel 3.7 kg.
630 Handkerchiefs 1.4 doz.
631 Gloves &mittens 2.9 dpr
632 Hosiery 3.8 dpr
633 M&B suit-type coats 30.3 doz.
634 Other M&B coats 34.5 doz.
635 W&G coats 34.5 doz.
636 Dresses 37.9 doz.
638 M&B knitshirts 15.0 doz.
639 W&G knitshirts &blouses 12.5 doz.
640 M&B shirts, notknit 20.1 doz.
641 W&G shirts/blouses, notknit 12.1 doz.
642 Skirts 14.9 doz.
643 M&B suits 3.76 No.
644 W&G suits 3.76 No.
645 M&B sweaters 30.8 doz.
646 W&G sweaters 30.8 doz.
647 M&B trousers, breeches &shorts 14.9 doz.G/TMB/N/276
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Category Description Conversion
Factor toSquare
MetresUnit
648 W&G trousers, breeches &shorts 14.9 doz.
649 Brassieres &body-supporting garments 4.0 doz.
650 Dressing gowns, etc. 42.6 doz.
651 Nightwear &pyjamas 43.5 doz.
652 Underwear 13.4 doz.
653 M&B down-filled coats 34.5 doz.
654 W&G down-filled coats 34.5 doz.
659 Other man-made fibreapparel 14.4 kg.
Silk-blend andother non-cotton vegetable fibres
845 Sweaters ofnon-cotton vegetable fibres 30.8 doz.
MADE-UP AND MISCELLANEOUS TEXTILES
360 Pillowcases 0.9 No.
361 Sheets 5.2 No.
362 Bedspreads andquilts 5.8 No.
363 Terry andother piletowels 0.4 No.
369 Cotton manufactures, notspecified, nspf 8.5 kg.
464 Blankets 2.4 kg.
465 Floor coverings 1.0 m2
469 Wool manufactures, nspf 3.7 kg.
665 Floor coverings 1.0 m2
666 Other furnishings 14.4 kg.
669 Man-made fibremanufactures, nspf 14.4 kg.
670 Flatgoods, handbags, luggage 3.7 kg.