CBP Reminder on New Sock Origin Labeling Requirement Which Takes Effect March 3, 2006

Special requirements for country of origin labeling of socks. Public Law No. 108-429 amended the Textile Act (15 USC 70) by adding a new subsection, 15 USC 70b(k), which imposes special requirements for the country of origin labeling of socks that are included within HTS subheadings 6115.92.90, 6115.93.90, 6115.99.18, 6111.20.60, 6111.30.50, and 6111.90.50, as in effect on September 1, 2003.

Country of origin marking must appear on front of package or label/tag (as applicable). For those socks, the country of origin marking must always be placed on the front of the package. If size information for the product also appears on the front of the package, the country of origin marking must be adjacent to the size information for the product. If no size information appears on the package or if the size information appears on the back of the package, the country of origin marking must still be placed on the front of the package.

The information must be set forth in a manner that is clearly legible, conspicuous, and readily accessible to the consumer. In addition, the marking must be as indelible or permanent as the nature of the article or package will permit. For socks that are not fully enclosed in a package, but are banded together by a label or hangtag, the information must be placed on the front of the label or tag.

Exception for socks included in package that includes other types of goods. There is an exception to this requirement for socks included in a package that also contains other types of goods (for example, a baby outfit that includes socks as well as other items of clothing). However, such packages of multiple items must comply with other relevant subsections of the Textile Rules. (See, e.g., 16 CFR 303.28 (products contained in packages) and 303.29 (labeling of pairs or products containing two or more units.)

(The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule, effective March 3, 2006, in order to amend its Rules and Regulations under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (16 CFR 303) to conform with the new sock labeling requirement imposed by the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004 (Public Law (P.L.) 108-429). (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/14/05 news, 05121415, for BP summary of FTC final rule.)

CBP notes that the Textile Act and 16 CFR Part 303 require that sellers of covered textile products mark each product to show: (1) the fiber content, (2) the country of origin, and (3) the identity of the manufacturer or another business responsible for marketing or handling the item. The general requirements for affixing textile labels and the arrangement of information on labels are set forth in 16 CFR 303.15 and 303.16.)

CBP notice, (TBT-06-004, dated 02/23/06) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/tbts/tbt2006/tbt_06_004.ctt/tbt_06_004.doc.