U.S. Customs delegation visited Israel to examine textile's FTA rules of origin

An American Customs delegation headed by Mr. Robert Hables, director of textile department at the U.S. Customs, visited Israel on a routine visit to examine local textile producers.
 
The delegation, which arrived at the beginning of August to examine origin declarations made by local textile producers, found that rules of origin as stated by the bi-lateral trade agreement were adhered to by all producers.
 
Mr.Zvi Liberman director of the Textile Producers Federation at the IMA (Israeli Manufacturers Association) who reported the visit, pointed out that Israeli made textile products will be allowed duty free entry to the U.S.A subject to fulfilling certain conditions set up within the Israel – U.S.A bilateral free trade agreement:
- Local added value of 35% of the sale value to the U.S. customer.
- Substantial transformation.
- Direct shipment from Israel to the U.S.A.
- A properly signed and declared certificate of origin.
 
Mr. Liberman, who spoke at a meeting organized by the IMA, also uncovered that an investigation was being held by the U.S and Israeli Customs Authorities to find out who was behind an illegal import of US$60 millions worth of Asian made textile products shipped via Israeli ports into the U.S.A.
 
According to Mr. Liberman, the U.S. Customs' investigation squad managed to uncover several documents of the companies which were apparently involved in the fraud however no tracing of the companies had yet been made.