[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7396]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 29, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Customs Service
19 CFR Part 175
[T.D. 94-5]
Country of Origin Marking for Packaged Frozen Produce; Suspension
of Date for Compliance
AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of suspension of compliance date.
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SUMMARY: This document gives notice that Customs is suspending the
compliance date for T.D. 94-5, which was published in the Federal
Register (58 FR 68743) on December 29, 1993. T.D. 94-5 was a final
interpretive rule concerning the country of origin marking requirements
for retail packages containing imported frozen produce. As numerous
companies and trade organizations have objected that the compliance
date set forth in that document is impracticable, Customs is suspending
the compliance date, pending a determination based on comments received
in response to another document published in today's Federal Register.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This suspension of the May 8, 1994 compliance date for
T.D. 94-5 is effective March 29, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Cascardo, Value and Marking
Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs Service, (202)
482-7010.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On December 29, 1993, pursuant to section 516 of the Tariff Act of
1930, as amended, Customs issued T.D. 94-5, a Decision and Final
Interpretive Rule concerning the country of origin marking requirements
for retail packages containing imported frozen produce. 58 FR 68743
(December 29, 1993). In T.D. 94-5, Customs reversed a previous
determination and ruled that country of origin marking must appear on
the front panel of such packages in specified type face and size. The
legally effective date of the determination was February 11, 1994.
However, parties adversely affected by the final interpretive rule were
allowed until May 8, 1994, to bring their imported frozen packaging
into compliance.
Numerous individual companies and several trade organizations
objected that even this extended date for compliance is impracticable,
and have requested suspension of the May 8, 1994, compliance date.
In accordance with these requests, Customs is suspending the May 8,
1994, effective date for parties adversely affected by compliance
obligations under T.D. 94-5. In a companion document to be published
today in the Federal Register, Customs is giving public notice of its
intention to adopt a new compliance date of January 1, 1995. Public
comment is being requested on both the date for compliance with the
requirement to place country of origin marking on the front panels of
produce packaging, and on the specifications regarding type size and
style set forth in T.D. 94-5.
Authority
This notice is published in accordance with 19 U.S.C. 1516 and
parts 134 and 175, Customs Regulations (19 CFR part 134; 19 CFR part
175).
Drafting Information
The principal drafter of this document was Robert Cascardo, Value
and Marking Branch, U.S. Customs Service. Personnel from other Customs
offices participated in its development.
Samuel H. Banks,
Acting Commissioner of Customs.
Approved: March 21, 1994.
John P. Simpson.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 94-7396 Filed 3-24-94; 4:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P
