96-1992. Export Certificates for Beef Subject to Tariff-Rate Quota  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 22 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Page 3569]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-1992]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    19 CFR Part 132
    
    [T.D. 96-12]
    
    RIN 1515-AB73
    
    
    Export Certificates for Beef Subject to Tariff-Rate Quota
    
    AGENCY: Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document adopts as a final rule, without change, the 
    interim amendment to the Customs Regulations setting forth the form and 
    manner by which an importer may make a declaration that a valid export 
    certificate is in effect for imported beef which is the subject of a 
    tariff-rate quota and the product of a participating country, as 
    defined in regulations of the United States Trade Representative, in 
    accordance with the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: February 1, 1996.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Cooper, Quota Branch, (202) 927-
    5401.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        As a result of the Uruguay Round Agreements, approved by Congress 
    in Sec. 101 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), the 
    President, by Presidential Proclamation No. 6763, established a tariff-
    rate quota for imported beef.
        The specific imported beef, as well as the various countries 
    eligible for the in-quota tariff rate are set forth in Additional U.S. 
    Note 3, Schedule XX, Chapter 2, of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
    the United States. The eligible countries which may export such beef to 
    the United States and avail themselves of the preferential, in-quota 
    tariff rate include Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
        As part of the implementation of the tariff-rate quota for beef, 
    the United States, specifically, the United States Trade Representative 
    (USTR), offered these exporting countries that have an allocation of 
    the in-quota quantity the opportunity to use export certificates for 
    their qualifying beef exports to the United States. Although countries 
    that have an allocation of the in-quota quantity are referred to in the 
    statutory law as ``participating countries'', for purposes of the 
    interim rule and now for this final rule, a participating country 
    constitutes an allocated country that has been authorized to 
    participate in the export certificate program. To this end, New Zealand 
    has requested the opportunity to participate in this program.
        An exporting country using export certificates in this regard must 
    notify the USTR and provide the necessary supporting information. 
    Customs is then responsible for ensuring that no imports of beef from 
    that country are counted against the country's in-quota allocation 
    unless such beef is covered by a proper export certificate.
        Accordingly, the USTR undertook rulemaking in this matter (15 CFR 
    2012.2 and 2012.3).
        In addition, Customs issued an interim rule published in the 
    Federal Register (60 FR 39108) on August 1, 1995, in order to set forth 
    the form and manner by which an importer declares that a valid export 
    certificate exists, including a unique number therefor which must be 
    referenced on the entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for consumption. 
    This interim rule also included a record retention period for the 
    certificate and required the submission of such certificate to Customs 
    upon request.
        No comments were received from the public in response to the 
    invitation therefor set forth in the interim rule, and Customs has 
    determined to adopt this rule as a final rule without change.
    
    Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        Because this document involves a foreign affairs function of the 
    United States and implements an international agreement, it is not 
    subject to E.O. 12866. Because no notice of proposed rulemaking was 
    required in this case, the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
    (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply.
    
    Drafting Information
    
        The principal author of this document was Russell Berger, Office of 
    Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs Service. However, personnel from 
    other offices participated in its development.
    
    List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 132
    
        Customs duties and inspection, Imports, Postal service, Quotas.
    
    Amendment to the Regulations
    
    PART 132--QUOTAS
    
        Accordingly, the interim rule amending 19 CFR part 132 to add a new 
    Sec. 132.15, which was published in the Federal Register at 60 FR 39108 
    on August 1, 1995, is adopted as a final rule without change.
    George J. Weise,
    Commissioner of Customs.
    
        Approved: December 22, 1995.
    John P. Simpson,
    Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
    [FR Doc. 96-1992 Filed 1-31-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4820-02-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
2/1/1996
Published:
02/01/1996
Department:
Treasury Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-1992
Dates:
February 1, 1996.
Pages:
3569-3569 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
T.D. 96-12
RINs:
1515-AB73: Export Certificates for Beef Subject to Tariff-Rate Quota
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1515-AB73/export-certificates-for-beef-subject-to-tariff-rate-quota
PDF File:
96-1992.pdf
CFR: (1)
19 CFR 132.15