N349094

N349094 June 6, 2025 OT:RR:NC:N3:351 CATEGORY: Classification, Country of Origin TARIFF NO.: 6307.90.9891; 9903.01.24; 9903.01.25; 9903.88.15 Mr. Ameet Shah Culp Inc. 1823 Eastchester Drive Highpoint, NC 27265 RE: The tariff classification, country of origin determination, and HOPE eligibility for a pregnancy support belt; 19 CFR 102.21(c)(2) Dear Mr. Shah: This is in reply to your letter dated May 16, 2025, requesting a classification, country of origin determination, and HOPE eligibility for a pregnancy support belt. A sample of the pregnancy support belt was provided with your request and will be retained by this office for training purposes. The sample, described as a “Motif Medical - Pregnancy Band,” is a textile support belt designed to be worn around the abdomen and provide support, comfort, and stability for a woman during pregnancy. The support belt consists of five panels which are sewn together around the edges with an 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex knit binding fabric. The two end panels are composed of an outer layer of 100 percent nylon knitted velvet fabric, a middle layer of 100 percent polyester knitted fabric, and an inner layer of 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex knitted fabric. Each of the panels sewn to the end panel are composed of an outer layer of 100 percent polyester knitted fabric and an inner layer of 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex knitted fabric. The middle panel is composed of a double layer of 95 percent polyester and 5 percent spandex knitted mesh fabric. The support belt is shaped like a cummerbund and attaches around the abdomen with a hook-and-loop fastener on each end. In addition, the support belt features two pieces of polypropylene (PP) strips measuring ½ inch wide by 5 inches in length inserted in the center of the inside of the belt; and two, 6 inch long by 5 ½ inch wide, pieces of elastic knit fabric attached to the PP strip on the inside face of the belt. The polypropylene insert provides balance and support to the body on the back while the elasticized design provides support to the body on both sides. The support belt is available in seven sizes (lengths): XS 37 ½", S 43, M 52 ½", L 59, and XL 65 ½". You also state the support belt can be worn under or over clothing depending on the user’s preference. The manufacturing operations for the insert are as follows: China: • The 95 percent polyester and 5 percent spandex mesh fabric were knitted and shipped in rolls to Haiti. • The 100 percent nylon velvet fabric were knitted and shipped in rolls to Haiti. • The 100 percent polyester (sandwich) fabric were knitted and shipped in rolls to Haiti. • The 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex fabric were knitted and shipped in rolls to Haiti. • The hook-and-loop fasteners, elastic, ribbon, PP strip, and thread are produced and shipped to Haiti. Haiti: • The pregnancy support belt is cut, sewn, and packaged then shipped to the U.S. ISSUE: What are the classification and country of origin of the subject merchandise? CLASSIFICATION: The applicable subheading for the pregnancy support belt will be 6307.90.9891, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Other made up articles, including dress patterns: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other.” The rate of duty will be 7 percent ad valorem. The tariffs and additional duties cited above are current as of this ruling’s issuance. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided at https://hts.usitc.gov/. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - LAW AND ANALYSIS: Section 334 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (“URAA”) (codified at 19 U.S.C. 3592), enacted on December 8, 1994, provides the rules of origin for textiles and apparel products for purposes of the customs laws and the administration of quantitative restrictions, unless otherwise provided by the statute, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after July 1, 1996. Section 3592 has been described as Congress’s expression of substantial transformation as it relates to textile and apparel products. Section 102.21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (19 CFR 102.21), implements the URAA. The country of origin of a textile or apparel product shall be determined by the sequential application of the general rules set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of section 102.21. See 19 CFR 102.21(c). Paragraph (c)(1) states, “The country of origin of a textile or apparel product is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was wholly obtained or produced.” As the subject merchandise is not wholly obtained or produced in a single country, territory or insular possession, paragraph (c)(1) of Section 102.21 is inapplicable. Paragraph (c)(2) states, “Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which each of the foreign materials incorporated in that good underwent an applicable change in tariff classification, and/or met any other requirement, specified for the good in paragraph (e) of this section:” Paragraph (e) in pertinent part states, The following rules shall apply for purposes of determining the country of origin of a textile or apparel product under paragraph (c)(2) of this section: HTSUS Tariff shift and/or other requirements 6307.90 The country of origin of a good classifiable under 6307.90 is the country, territory, or insular possession in which the fabric comprising the good was formed by a fabric-making process. The pregnancy support belt is comprised of multiple panels of fabric sewn together, and each of these fabrics are formed by a fabric-making process in a single country, that is China. Therefore, pursuant to 19 CFR 102.21(c)(2), the country of origin of the pregnancy support belt is China. HAITI ECONOMIC LIFT PROGRAM ACT (HELP) – LAW AND ANALYSIS: In your letter you specifically request this ruling also address whether the pregnancy support belt is eligible under Haiti Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 or 2008 (“HOPE I” or “HOPE II”) or the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010 (“HELP”). Based on the information you have provided above the “Motif Medical – Pregnancy Band,” subheading 9820.63.05, HTSUS, provides the applicable trade preference legislation to consider whether this made-up article is eligible for duty-free treatment. Subheading 9820.63.05, HTSUS, established under the HELP Act which modifies the Haiti HOPE II Act was effective on November 1, 2010 and provides for: Made-up textile articles described in U.S. note 6(r) to this subchapter and imported directly from Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Chapter 98, Subchapter XX, HTSUS, U.S. Note 6(r) states: For purposes of heading 9820.63.05, any made-up textile article described in subdivision (r)(ii) of this note that is wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape, in Haiti from any combination of fabrics, fabric components, components knit-to-shape or yarns and is imported directly from Haiti or the Dominican Republic shall enter the United States free of duty, without regard to the source of the fabric, fabric components, components knit-to-shape or yarns from which the article is made. The made-up textile articles that are eligible for the treatment provided under subdivision (r)(i) of this note are the made-up textile articles that are described in the following statistical reporting numbers of the tariff schedule, as in effect on May 23, 2010: 5601.10.2000, 5601.22.0090, 5601.29.0010, 5601.29.0020, 5601.29.0090, 5701.10.9000, 5701.90.1030, 5701.90.2010, 5701.90.2020, 5701.90.2030, 5702.31.1000, 5702.31.2000, 5702.32.1000, 5702.32.2000, 5702.39.2010, 5702.42.2090, 5702.50.2000, 5702.50.4000, 5702.50.5200, 5702.50.5600, 5702.91.3000, 5702.91.4000, 5702.92.100

Section 334 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (“URAA”) (codified at 19 U.S.C. 3592), enacted on December 8, 1994, provides the rules of origin for textiles and apparel products for purposes of the customs laws and the administration of quantitative restrictions, unless otherwise provided by the statute, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after July 1, 1996. Section 3592 has been described as Congress’s expression of substantial transformation as it relates to textile and apparel products. Section 102.21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (19 CFR 102.21), implements the URAA. The country of origin of a textile or apparel product shall be determined by the sequential application of the general rules set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of section 102.21. See 19 CFR 102.21(c). Paragraph (c)(1) states, “The country of origin of a textile or apparel product is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was wholly obtained or produced.” As the subject merchandise is not wholly obtained or produced in a single country, territory or insular possession, paragraph (c)(1) of Section 102.21 is inapplicable. Paragraph (c)(2) states, “Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which each of the foreign materials incorporated in that good underwent an applicable change in tariff classification, and/or met any other requirement, specified for the good in paragraph (e) of this section:” Paragraph (e) in pertinent part states, The following rules shall apply for purposes of determining the country of origin of a textile or apparel product under paragraph (c)(2) of this section: HTSUS Tariff shift and/or other requirements 

6307.90 The country of origin of a good classifiable under 6307.90 is the country, territory, or insular possession in which the fabri