ENUMERATED, CRUDE OR PROCESSED (EXCEPT BROOMCORN) Straws and other fibrous vegetable substances, not specially provided for: U.S. imports for consumption, by type, 1964-68 1/ Estimated. Reported figures known to include statistical misclassifications. Source: of Commerce. Compiled from official statistics of the U.S. Department December 1969 Note.--For the statutory description, see the Tariff Schedules of the United States Annotated (TSUSA-1969). U.S. trade position The domestic consumption of the teasels included in this category, which is believed to be supplied almost entirely from imports, has been small and erratic. Exports are believed to be negligible. Comment Teasels in item 192.90 are dried burrs from the teasel plant and are used in the textile finishing of fabrics. In practice the teasels, each about 1 or 2 inches long, are inserted in frames in a textiledressing roller. When fabric is drawn across the roller, barbs on the tips of the teasel spines raise a nap on the fabric. Teasels are used mostly on high-grade woolens for men's and women's clothing. Teasels create a slanted nap and high luster that cannot be duplicated by any other medium. Most textiles are napped with napping wire, which is much cheaper to use than teasels. Teasels suitable for use as dried flowers in bouquets and wreaths are provided for under items 748.30 and 748.32. Such use of teasels is minor; imports, if any, are negligible. The teasels suitable for bouquets, wreaths, or other ornamental use usually have a stem; those for the textile industry have almost no stem. Teasel seed (item 127.10) often is used as an ingredient in bird food. December 1969 The column 1 rate of duty applicable to imports (see general headnote 3 in the TSUSA-1969) is as follows: 1/ The rate which became effective Jan. 1, 1968, continues in effect until Jan. 1, 1970. The tabulation above shows the column 1 rates of duty in effect prior to January 1, 1968, and modifications therein as a result of concessions granted by the United States in the sixth round of trade negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Only the first and final stages of the annual rate modifications are shown above (see the TSUSA-1969 for the other stages). During the period from August 31, 1963, when the TSUS became effective, to December 31, 1967, the prior rate shown above did not change. U.S. consumption of teasels by the textile industry is believed to be supplied almost entirely from imports. The consumption of teasels varies with style changes in clothing and may fluctuate considerably from year to year. U.S. production of teasels is not presently reported and there is no sound basis for an estimate. A small production was reported in the 1949 United States Census of Agriculture, amounting to 80,000 pounds in Oregon, 6,400 pounds in New York, and 2,500 pounds in Michigan. There also may be some harvesting of wild growth. U.S. exports of teasels are not available; such exports are believed to be negligible. Data on U.S. imports of teasels averaged about 31,500 pounds ($14,000) annually during 1963-68--lower than during the 1950's, but higher than during the 1930's and 1940's. France has supplied most of the U.S. imports of teasels (see table). Italy, Japan, and Ireland have supplied all of the remainder in recent years. December 1969 Teasels: U.S. imports for consumption, by principal sources, 1963-68 France---- : 36,695 : 22,487 : 22,067 : 31,281 : 16,106 : 10,825 Italy-------: 14,380 : 8,584 : 2,240 : 2,397 : 7,904 : 7,338 130 : 1,220: Other-------: 3,016: : : Total-----: 54,091 : 31,071 : 24,437 : 34,898 : 24,010 : 1,071 2,255 20,418 France------: 17,612 : 13,151 : 11,212: 12,238 : 664 : : Other-------: : : Unit value (cents per pound) 900 : 1,054 : 670 : Source: Compiled from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce Note.--In 1967, excludes 22,015 pounds valued at $6,000 from Brazil of imports not properly classified for statistical purposes as determined from examination of copies of entries. December 1969 |