Search Results for "northern mariana islands" in "Northern Mariana Islands" on Export Portal

Exports

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a group of 14 islands in the North Pacific Ocean along the Mariana Trench the deepest location on earth.

Garment production has until recently been the fastest growing industry with employment of 12,000 mostly Chinese workers and shipments of $1 billion to the United States in 1998 under duty and quota exemptions. This production is extremely controversial because goods produced in the North Marianas can be labelled "Made in the U.S.A.", although not all American labor laws apply to the commonwealth leading to what critics charge as "sweatshop conditions" for imported, mostly Asian, workers. Among other companies, the teen clothing store Abercrombie & Fitch produces some of their clothing in the Northern Marianas and then sells them for high prices.

The garments exports and the industry are changing, though, and many of the garment factories are closing due to the lifting of WTO trade restrictions on Chinese imports. The industry was initially established in the Commonwealth because some U.S. labor and immigration laws do not apply within the CNMI - for example, the CNMI's minimum wage rate of $3.05 per hour (for most employment positions) is lower than the federal rate, which applies to most other areas of the United States. Additionally, the CNMI retains local control over customs and immigration enforcement, unlike in Guam.

Agricultural production, primarily of tapioca, cattle, coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons exists but is relatively unimportant in the economy.

Northern Mariana Islands main export partners are South Africa, Palau, Poland, Hong Kong, Sudan, South Korea, Lebanon, Singapore, Mexico, Cote d'Ivoire.

Northern Mariana Islands main exports are:

• Ink
• Computers
• Flavored Water
• Video Displays
• Watches
• Trunks and Cases
  
• Bandages
• Prepared Meat
• Scrap Iron

Customs requirements of Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Mariana Islands Customs Contacts

Website: http://www.cnmidof.net/customs/

Email: blas.tony@gmail.com 

Address: P.O. BOX 5234 CHRB, SAIPAN, MP 96950

Telephone: 670-664-1607

Department of Commerce

Website: http://commerce.gov.mp/ 

The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is one of five inhabited American insular areas. It consists of fifteen islands situated in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The Northern Mariana Islands and Guam form the Mariana Islands. The country is a member of the Universal Postal Union, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and maintains a political union with the United States.

Importing into the CNMI

An excise tax is levied on imported goods for the privilege of doing business when such imports are to be used. The CNMI can enact its own legislation to protect the islands from being adversely affected by competition from imported foreign goods. It has the right to protect its workers and firms from import competition by imposing duties on imported products, which might otherwise compete unfairly with local producers of similar goods. The Covenant may elect to allow foreign goods to enter the CNMI without import fees in order to maintain lower prices for local residents. 

Exemptions for CNMI Exporters

Exports from the Northern Mariana Islands destined for the U.S. market are exempt from the 22% sur-tax imposed on imports to the United States. As a U.S. insular possession, the CNMI is eligible for Caribbean Basin Initiative treatment on products exported under the U.S. Tariff Schedule. 

The Commonwealth Government imposed a 3.5% user fee on the gross value of merchandise. The fee is imposed upon certification of export has been made under General Headnote 3 (a) treatment by the CNMI Government. 

Export Sales Tax (User's Fee)

Any person engaged in the sale of goods, resources, food or agricultural produce exported from the Commonwealth is exempt from any tax levied by the CNMI on the gross revenue derived solely from such export sales. 

Sources:

https://www.iamovers.org/files/newimages/member/shippers/northern_mariana.pdf  

http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/NorthernMarianas/?rc=Formalities 

http://www.dpl.gov.mp/new/Investor_Info/ImpotingandExporting.php 

http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/northern_mariana_islands.htm