29 October 2004

Request for "fast track tariff relief" on certain polyester fabrics for use in the manufacture of upholstered furniture

The Department of Finance is seeking members’ views on a request that the Department has received for "fast track tariff relief" on certain polyester fabrics for use in the manufacture of upholstered furniture. They are proposing to introduce a new duty-free item, which will read as follows:

Multi-layer fabric, the wear service layer being a warp knit fabric, solely of polyester, brushed with a suede-like appearance, for use in the manufacture of upholstered furniture.

This fabric is currently classified under tariff item No. 5903.20.29 and is dutiable at 14% under the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff.

Members wishing to comment on this matter should contact Shezara Ali in Domestic Tariff Affairs at 613-992-4418, or by fax at 613-992-6761 by November 18, 2004.