Receipt of Domestic Interested Party Petition Concerning Country of Origin Marking for Safety Glasses

Resumen

Customs has received a petition filed on behalf of domestic interested parties concerning the country of origin marking requirements for prescription safety glasses. Under current practice, imported safety glass frames are excepted from country of origin marking requirements if an employer actually purchases the completed prescription safety glasses despite the fact that the wearer of the safety glasses may have some choice in selecting the frames. Customs has ruled that the insertion of the prescription lenses into the frames in the United States to make safety glasses substantially transforms the frames into a new article of commerce. The petitioners request that Customs adopts the position that employer-purchased imported prescription safety glass frames that an employee selects be required to be marked with their country of origin. Public comment is solicited regarding the application of the marking requirements to imported prescription safety frames.