95-8745. Technical Amendments to the Customs Regulations  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 18346-18349]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-8745]
    
    
    
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    [[Page 18347]]
    
    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    
    Customs Service
    
    19 CFR Parts 7, 11, 12, 18, 19, 24, 54, 101, 102, 111, 114, 123, 
    128, 132, 134, 141, 145, 146, 148, 151, 152, 177, 181, and 191
    
    [T.D. 95-29]
    
    
    Technical Amendments to the Customs Regulations
    
    AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This document amends the Customs Regulations by making certain 
    technical corrections to various authority citations to reflect 
    amendments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States made 
    by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Uruguay 
    Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: April 11, 1995.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory R. Vilders, Attorney, 
    Regulations Branch (202) 482-6930.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        At present, due to certain amendments to the Harmonized Tariff 
    Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) that resulted in many of the 
    General Notes of the HTSUS being renumbered, many authority citations 
    in the Customs Regulations that reference certain General Note 
    provisions are no longer accurate.
        In 1994, when the HTSUS was amended to incorporate changes made by 
    the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (see Presidential 
    Proclamation 6641 of December 15, 1993, published in the Federal 
    Register on December 20, 1993 (58 FR 66867, 67032)), General Notes 4 
    through 9 were redesignated as General Notes 13 through 18, 
    respectively, and new General Notes 4 through 12 were added. This 
    addition of nine new General Notes caused the General Note numbering 
    scheme to change. In 1995, when the HTSUS was again amended to 
    incorporate changes necessitated by provisions of the Uruguay Round of 
    the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) (see Presidential 
    Proclamation 6763 of December 23, 1994, published in the Federal 
    Register on January 4, 1995 (60 FR 1007, 1018)), the General Notes were 
    modified by renumbering General Notes 13 through 18 as General Notes 16 
    through 21, respectively, and inserting new General Notes 13 through 
    15. The addition of three more General Notes again caused the General 
    Note numbering scheme to change.
        For example, one of the authorities for many Customs Regulations, 
    as detailed below, is the General Note which provides that the 
    Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to issue rules and regulations 
    governing the admission of articles under the provisions of the tariff 
    schedule. This General Note was initially designated as General Note 8 
    when the Harmonized Tariff Schedule was adopted in 1989, became General 
    Note 17 in 1994, and, in 1995, is now designated as General Note 20.
        Customs also cites as authority for many sections detailed below 
    the General Note which provides that the Secretary of the Treasury is 
    authorized to prescribe methods of ascertainment whenever he finds that 
    such methods are necessary for purposes of any law administered by the 
    Customs Service. This General Note was initially designated as General 
    Note 9 when the Harmonized Tariff Schedule was adopted in 1989, became 
    General Note 18 in 1994, and, in 1995, is now designated as General 
    Note 21.
        This document updates and corrects those references in the Customs 
    Regulations to the HTSUS General Notes.
    
    Discussion of Changes
    
    Part 7
    
        The authority citation for Part 7 references General Note 8 of the 
    HTSUS. Since this General Note is now designated as General Note 20, as 
    discussed above, the reference is revised accordingly.
    
    Part 11
    
        The authority citation for Part 11 references General Note 9 of the 
    HTSUS. Since this General Note is now designated as General Note 21, as 
    discussed above, the reference is revised accordingly.
    
    Part 12
    
        The general authority citation for Part 12 references General Note 
    17 of the HTSUS. Since this General Note is now designated as General 
    Note 20, the reference is revised accordingly.
    
    Parts 18, 19, and 24
    
        The general authority citation for Parts 18 and 19 reference 
    General Note 8 of the HTSUS, and the general authority citation for 
    Part 24 references General Note 17 of the HTSUS, both provisions in 
    different editions of the HTSUS providing for the regulations authority 
    notes discussed above. For the reasons given above, these references 
    are revised to read General Note 20. Also, Sec. 24.23(c)(1)(v) 
    references General Note 4 of the HTSUS, which deals with exemptions. 
    Since this General Note is now designated as General Note 16, the 
    reference is revised accordingly.
    
    Parts 54, 101, 102, 111, 114, 123, 128, 132, and 134
    
        The authority citations for Parts 54, 101, 102, 111, 114, 123, 128, 
    132, and 134 reference General Note 8 of the HTSUS. For the reason 
    given above, these references are revised to reference General Note 20.
    
    Part 141
    
        Section 141.4(a) of Part 141 references General Note 4 of the 
    HTSUS. For the reason given above, this reference is revised to 
    reference General Note 16.
    
    Parts 145, 146, 148, and 151
    
        The authority citations for Parts 145, 146, 148, and 151 reference 
    General Note 8 of the HTSUS. For the reason given above, these 
    references are revised to reference General Note 20. Also in Part 151, 
    the authority citation references General Note 9 of the HTSUS. For the 
    reason given above, this reference is revised to reference General Note 
    21.
    
    Part 152
    
        The specific authority citation for subpart D of Part 152 and 
    several provisions of Sec. 152.13 reference General Note 5 of the 
    HTSUS, which dealt with the commingling of goods. Since this General 
    Note is now designated as General Note 17, the reference is revised 
    accordingly.
    
    Parts 177, 181, and 191
    
        The general authority citations for Parts 177, 181, and 191 
    reference General Note 17 of the HTSUS. For the reason given above, 
    these references are revised to reference General Note 20.
    
    Inapplicability of Public Notice and Comment Requirements, Delayed 
    Effective Date Requirements, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and 
    Executive Order 12866
    
        Inasmuch as these amendments merely correct certain referencing 
    errors in the Customs Regulations, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2) and 
    (b)(B), good cause exists for dispensing with notice and public 
    procedure thereon as unnecessary. For the same reason, good cause 
    exists for dispensing with the requirement for a delayed effective 
    date, under 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2) and (d)(3). Since this document is not 
    subject to the notice and public procedure [[Page 18348]] requirements 
    of 5 U.S.C. 553, it is not subject to provisions of the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). This amendment does not meet 
    the criteria for a ``significant regulatory action'' as specified in 
    E.O. 12866.
    
    Drafting Information
    
        The principal author of this document was Gregory R. Vilders, 
    Attorney, Office of Regulations and Rulings, Regulations Branch.
    
    Amendments to the Regulations
    
        The authority citations to those parts of chapter 1 of the Customs 
    Regulations (19 CFR chapter 1) listed below are amended as set forth 
    below:
    
    PART 7--CUSTOMS RELATIONS WITH INSULAR POSSESSIONS AND GUANTANAMO 
    BAY NAVAL STATION
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 7 is revised to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
    Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1623, 1624; 48 U.S.C. 
    1406i.
    
    PART 11--PACKING AND STAMPING; MARKING
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 11 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 21, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624.
    
    PART 12--SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 12 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624;
    * * * * *
    
    PART 18--TRANSPORTATION IN BOND AND MERCHANDISE IN TRANSIT
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 18 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1551, 1552, 
    1553, 1624;
    * * * * *
    
    PART 19--CUSTOMS WAREHOUSES, CONTAINER STATIONS AND CONTROL OF 
    MERCHANDISE THEREIN
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 19 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624;
    * * * * *
    
    PART 24--CUSTOMS FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING PROCEDURE
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 24 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 58a-58c, 66, 261, 267, 1202 
    (General Note 20, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
    (HTSUS)), 1450, 1624; 31 U.S.C. 9701, unless otherwise noted.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 24.23  [Amended]
    
        2. In Sec. 24.23, the reference in paragraph (c)(1)(v) to ``General 
    Note 4'' is revised to read ``General Note 16''.
    
    PART 54--CERTAIN IMPORTATIONS TEMPORARILY FREE OF DUTY
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 54 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Section XV, Note 
    5, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1623, 
    1624.
    
    PART 101--GENERAL PROVISIONS
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 101 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 2, 66, 1202 (General Note 
    20, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1623, 
    1624.
    
    PART 102--RULES OF ORIGIN
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 102 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
    Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624, and the North 
    American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, Pub.L. 103-182, 
    107 Stat. 2057.
    
    PART 111--CUSTOMS BROKERS
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 111 is revised to read 
    as follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
    Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624, 1641;
    * * * * *
    
    PART 114--CARNETS
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 114 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
    Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1623, 1624.
    
    PART 123--CUSTOMS RELATIONS WITH CANADA AND MEXICO
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 123 is revised to read 
    as follows:
    
        Authority: 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
    Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1431, 1433, 1624;
    * * * * *
    
    PART 128--EXPRESS CONSIGNMENTS
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 128 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
    Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1321, 1484, 1498, 
    1551, 1555, 1556, 1565, 1624.
    
    PART 132--QUOTAS
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 132 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
    Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1623, 1624.
    
    PART 134--COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 134 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1304, 
    1624.
    
    PART 141--ENTRY OF MERCHANDISE
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 141 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1448, 1484, 1624;
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 141.4  [Amended]
    
        2. In Sec. 141.4, the reference in paragraph (a) to ``General Note 
    4'' is revised to read ``General Note 16''.
    
    PART 145--MAIL IMPORTATIONS
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 145 is revised to read 
    as follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
    Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624;
    * * * * *
    
    PART 146--FOREIGN TRADE ZONES
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 146 is revised to read 
    as follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 81a-81u, 1202 (General Note 20, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1623, 
    1624;
    * * * * * [[Page 18349]] 
    
    PART 148--PERSONAL DECLARATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 148 is revised to read 
    as follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1496, 1498, 1624. The provisions of 
    this part, except for subpart C, are also issued under 19 U.S.C. 
    1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
    States (HTSUS));
    * * * * *
    
    PART 151--EXAMINATION, SAMPLING, AND TESTING OF MERCHANDISE
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 151 is revised to read 
    as follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Notes 20 and 21, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624. 
    Subpart A also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1499. * * *
    * * * * *
    
    PART 152--CLASSIFICATION AND APPRAISEMENT OF MERCHANDISE
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 152 is unchanged, but 
    the specific authority for subpart D and for Secs. 152.13 and 152.24 
    are revised, to read as follows:
    
        Authority:  19 U.S.C. 66, 1401a, 1500, 1502, 1624;
    * * * * *
        Subpart D also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1202 (General Note 17, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS));
    * * * * *
        Sections 152.13 and 152.24 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1202 
    (General Note 17, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
    (HTSUS)).
    
    
    Sec. 152.13  [Amended]
    
        2. In Sec. 152.13, the reference in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), (c) 
    introductory text, (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (d) to ``General Note 
    5'' is revised to read ``General Note 17''.
    
    PART 177--ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 177 is revised to read 
    as follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624;
    * * * * *
    
    PART 181--NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 181 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
    Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624, and the North 
    American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, Pub. L. 103-182, 
    107 Stat. 2057.
    
    PART 191--DRAWBACK
    
        1. The general authority citation for Part 191 is revised to read 
    as follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, 
    Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1313, 
    1624;
    * * * * *
        Dated: April 4, 1995.
    Stuart P. Seidel,
    Assistant Commissioner, Office of Regulations and Rulings.
    [FR Doc. 95-8745 Filed 4-10-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4820-02-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
4/11/1995
Published:
04/11/1995
Department:
Customs Service
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
95-8745
Dates:
April 11, 1995.
Pages:
18346-18349 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
T.D. 95-29
PDF File:
95-8745.pdf
CFR: (3)
19 CFR 24.23
19 CFR 141.4
19 CFR 152.13