Yarn trafficking legislation proposed

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/14/2011 12:03:13 PM

Washington - Three of North Carolina's members of Congress plan to reintroduce the Textiles Enforcement and Security Act, which aims to assist the domestic textiles industry by going after illegal yarn trafficking.

Similar legislation was introduced during the last Congress, but did not pass. The sponsors are Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) along with Rep. Larry Kissell (D-NC) and Walter Jones (R-NC).

According to the Home Fashion Products Association and its counsel, Meeks, Sheppard, Leo & Pillsbury, the legislation proposes to:

• Establish an electronic verification program that tracks yarn and fabric imports in countries operation under free trade agreements;
• Increase the number of textiles and apparel verification specialists at the 15 largest U.S. ports that process textiles and apparel imports;
• Increase textiles staff at U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters and retarget them towards trade preference verifications;
• Require the publication of a list of ‘fraudulent actors' in this field.

"Should this legislation become law it would benefit [HFPA] members by increasing enforcement against those breaking the law, however it could also lead to increased questions by Customs on lawful HFPA members' shipments and possible delays at the ports," the association advised members in a memo.