Guide to Short Supply List Template
The Product Specific Rule of Origin (PSR) for textiles is based on the ‘yarn-forward’ concept, where a good qualifies for duty preferences if production occurs in one or more parties to the FTA from the yarn manufacturing stage forward to the end product. While we believe that a yarn forward rule is the best way to promote regional integration, encourage investment and create sustainable supply chains, we realize that some products may not be available from TPP partners on day one of entry into force of the agreement.Thus, in order to maximize the eligibility of textile and apparel products for duty preference, we are adding a permanent and a temporary short supply list (SSL) to the textiles provisions. A short supply list (SSL) would be structured to identify inputs not available in TPP countries and eligible for use from third countries.The SSL would be structured on a permanent and temporary (3 years) basis. Products placed on the permanent list would be those that for reasons of geographic limitations for raw materials or other processes would be unlikely to expand to the region. Products on the Temporary Short Supply List would be those wherean essential element of the production is not commercially available (a particular type of yarn, a coating, a laminate, a special finish), but the basis for said product is available or likely to be made available within the TPP region.
The spreadsheet template is designed to assist you in identifying the fibers, yarns, and fabrics, and specific apparel end-uses you want to be considered for placement on the SSLs.
How to fill out the template request:
Explanation of the spreadsheet columns:
All columns pertaining to your short supply request must be filled in except for Column H which is only necessary if the product has additional defining characteristics (not included in the HTS code) or is a subset of an HTS code. Examples are provided on the template. In addition, Columns E and F are only required if short supply request is garment specific.
Column A, Product Number: A sequential numbering system will be used by the USG for listing products for review. You do not need to fill this in.
Column B, Short Supply Request: Provide the complete description of the product you wish to be placed on the short supply list. Please submit the request as you would like to see it written into the agreement.
There are three ways a product can qualify for short supply. For example:
- HTS Code-If the entire HTS code is in short supply ie: 5506.30
- Subset of an HTS Code- ie: If the HTS code specifies mmf (man made fiber) but polyester and nylon are available within the region, but other mmf’s are not. Thus in this case you would need to specify that you are requesting “acrylic” or “rayon” fiber to be in short supply. Indicate a subset when a more detailed description is required to differentiate the unavailable product. More details can be:
a)Construction – ie, 4x1 twill, sateen, plain weave, circular knit, etc.
b)Weight – grams per meter/2
c)Yarn Size – 40/1’s or higher
d)Finishes – ie coating, laminates, sueding, napping, coating, bonding, dyeing, sanforizing, wrinkle-free, etc.
e)Combination fabrics polyester/spandex woven plain weave, laminated to ePTFE and tricot polyester
f)Or other quality that might describe an unavailable product
- For a specific end use:
Provide a product description for a particular end use. An example – woven fabrics found in HTS XXXXXXXX blended with XYZ in a x%-x% range (if necessary to put this in) for a XYZ (apparel) use.
Examples:
- Polyester/spandex woven plain weave, treated with a DWR finish, laminated to ePTFE and a tricot polyester lining fabric for ski suits.
- knit polyester fabrics of subheading 6004.10 through 6004.90 containing between 3% and 21% spandex that has been treated for chlorine resistance, weighing 200 g/m2, used in the manufacture of women's or girls swimsuits classifiable in subheadings 6112.41
Column C, Category for product being requested:
Identify if the product described is a Fiber, Yarn, Fabric, or an input that is intended to be used in a specifically identified garment, using the code provided. Fiber (FI), Yarn (Y), Fabric (FA), or input with Garment Specific End Use (G).
Column D, HTS Chapter for Specific Short Supply Request (FI, Y, FA): Indicate the two-digit chapter number of the Fiber, Yarn, or Fabric of your request. If your request is for an input for a specific garment, provide the two-digit chapter number of the fiber, yarn, or fabric, and also see the next column.
Column E, HTS Chapter for Garment Specific Short Supply Request (G): Indicate the two-digit chapter number of the specific end-use garment that the request will be used in. Required only if requesting garment specific end use
Column F, HTS codes(s) of Short Supply requested input: Indicate all of the applicable HTS codes, to the appropriate level (6, 8, or 10-digit) of the Fiber, Yarn, or Fabric of your request.
Column G, HTS code of Short Supply requested product: Indicate all of the applicable HTS codes, to the appropriate level (6, 8, or 10-digit) of the garment that is the specific end-use of your request. *Mandatory if apparel specific end use.
Column H, Subset of HTS OR greater description of product and/or input: If appropriate, provide the specific criteria of the product description that identifies the requested product within the HTS codes requested, for the fiber, yarn, or fabric, and the specified end-use garment.
Column I, Permanent: Check if you want your request to be considered for the Permanent Short Supply List.
Column J, Temporary: Check if you want your request to be considered for the Temporary Short Supply List.
Vetting:
The USG will host on the MAX OMB website a vetting opportunity for SSL products for review and consideration. Stakeholders will have 15calendar days from the date that a product was added to the SSL to provide comments on any or all items, so that concerns can be discussed with interested parties. Each company and association will be allowed to gain access to the password protected website to review products on the short supply list and provide their comments. The U.S. government will only be accepting short supply requests from U.S. companies and associations.
To be considered, all comments must provide a single contact name, company or trade association name, email address, and phone number so that we may contact you with follow-up questions. Only one individual from a company or association may be the contact person for that company, although we will be pleased to discuss the comments or requests with all interested parties at a company or association.
- If you are objecting to a product being included on a list, you must provide information regarding the ability of a TPP supplier to provide the subject product or a substitutableone. This information can be provided through the website comment section or if the objection requires business confidential information, be sure to not include your name, company or any other identifiable information in the comments section, and send that information under separate e-mail to Gail Strickler and Kim Glas at: and
Please inform us of your objection within the 15 days after website posting and provide the following information within 30 calendar days of the posting.
a)Include details on current or past production
a)Describe quantities currently produced
b)Current available capacity, and capacity utilization
c)Provide information on an available substitutable product
d)Provide information on investment and expansion plans to produce the proposed product
e)Identify concerns regarding the ability to supply the proposed product except for the unavailability of an upstream input
f)Identify inputs/processes whose availability is due to environmental concerns and
g)Information on the location of the manufacturing facility, such as name, address, and contact person, email address, and phone number.
Short Supply List requests:
- All short supply list requests must be submitted by using the attached template
- Requests and comments will be considered on a rolling basis. Initial submissions for requests are due no later than March 1st, 2013. Further deadlines will be announced.
- All completed templates with short supply requests should be e-mailed to all of the following addresses at USTR and Commerce: , ,
- Companies and associations will have 15calendar daysto provide initial comments to the proposedSSL. Once you have expressed interest in a particular item we will include you in all further review.