3 DECEMBER CUSTOMS EDITION 4607

PROPOSED DUTY CONCESSION FOR CHILDREN'S CLOTHING : REQUEST FOR SUBMISSIONS

Explanatory Note

1 Currently some items of apparel are subject to alternative specific tariffs, i.e. tariffs that apply as a set dollar amount per garment. These tariffs impact particularly on lower-cost garment imports. Because the impact of specific tariffs increases as the cost of garments decrease, these tariffs can have a significant effect on the price of garments for smaller children. Given the relatively limited amount of local manufacture of such garments, manufacturers, retailers and importers have agreed to make a joint submission to the Minister of Commerce for a duty concession to eliminate alternative specific tariffs for garments designed to be worn by children between 2 and 7 years of age. It should be noted that this application by the industry relates only to the removal of the alternative specific tariffs and eligible garments would still be subject to the ad valorem tariff.

2 The submission specifically excludes those garments where there is a more significant level of production, namely briefs, underpants, singlets, vests, socks, swimwear and skivvies.

3 This concession request is unusual and will require the approval of the Minister of Commerce. Once any objections arising from the advertising of this concession have been considered, a final report on the industry request will be made to the Minister of Commerce.

4 If the concession is approved, and subsequently found, through monitoring, not to be enforceable at the border, it will be withdrawn.

Concession Coverage

5 The proposed concession relates to children's garments made of textiles or plastic, designed to be worn by children between two and seven years of age, of a height exceeding 86cm but not exceeding 123cm. The following garments will be excluded from the coverage:

• Briefs and underpants
• Singlets and other vests (but not T-Shirts)
• Socks
• Swimwear
• Skivvies (thin, high or roll necked, long sleeved, knitted garment with/or without neckline opening)

6 The goods covered by this concession are included in the following tariff headings of Chapters 39, 61 and 62:

• 3926.20
• 6101
• 6102
• 6103
• 6104
• 6105
• 6106
• 6107
• 6108
• 6109
• 6110
• 6111
• 6112
• 6114
• 6115
• 6201
• 6202
• 6203
• 6204
• 6205
• 6206
• 6207
• 6208
• 6210
• 6211
• 6212
• 6214
• 6215

Maximum Garment Measurements

To be eligible for concessionary entry the garments imported must not exceed the maximum garment measurements specified below:

• Garments, long sleeved, having a maximum dimension of 59cm, measured from the cervical, (being the top centre back of the garment at the point where any trim, rib, collar, etc., joins the body of the garment) to the cuff. (Note: where sleeve terminates with a turned up cuff, measurements must not exceed 62 cm when cuff is turned down).

• Garments designed to be worn on the upper part of the body, short sleeved or sleeveless, having a maximum chest circumference of 81cm, measured armpit to armpit.

• Other short sleeved or sleeveless garments, having a maximum length of 88cm measured from the highest point in the back to bottom of hem.

• Skirts, having a maximum length of 60cm measured from waist to bottom of hem.