[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32030-32031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15329]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 123

RIN 1515-AB90
[T.D. 97-48]


Port Passenger Acceleration Service System (PORTPASS) Program

AGENCY: Customs Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document amends the Customs Regulations to reference 
certain Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Regulations that 
provide for land-border inspection programs that were jointly developed 
with Customs. These land-border inspection programs--collectively known 
as Port Passenger Acceleration Service System (PORTPASS)--are designed 
to facilitate the processing of certain identified, pre-registered, 
low-risk travelers along the United States border who frequently cross 
at certain areas by exempting them from normal report of arrival and 
presentation for inspection requirements, while still safeguarding the 
integrity of the United States land border. Participation in PORTPASS 
is voluntary and annual application fees are charged by the INS.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 14, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Sellers, Office of Field 
Operations, Passenger Operations Division, (202) 927-0531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    To facilitate the entry processing of certain low-risk land-border 
travelers, Customs and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) 
developed certain technologically-innovative land-border inspection 
programs, collectively known as the Port Passenger Accelerated Service 
System (PORTPASS). (See INS document at 60 FR 50386, September 29, 
1995, implementing land-border facilitating programs, codified at 8 CFR 
235.13). Two land-border entry facilitation programs have been 
developed thus far

[[Page 32031]]

under the PORTPASS: one concerns travelers that enter the U.S. through 
designated lanes at busy Port of Entry (POE) crossings (the Dedicated 
Commuter Lane (DCL) program); the other concerns local residents who 
enter the U.S. at remote land border crossings (the Automated Permit 
Port (APP) program). Participation in PORTPASS is voluntary and, 
because such participation constitutes an exception to the normal 
reporting and presentation for inspection requirements contained at 19 
CFR 123.1, participants must agree to abide by certain conditions and 
restrictions.
    Because PORTPASS program specifics are provided for under the INS 
Regulations (title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Customs 
decided to provide notice of PORTPASS by cross referencing those INS 
Regulations in the Customs Regulations. Accordingly, on September 12, 
1996, Customs published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (61 FR 48100) that solicited comments concerning a proposal to 
amend Sec. 123.1 of the Customs Regulations (19 CFR 123.1) to reference 
Secs. 235.13 and 286.8 of the INS regulations (8 CFR 235.13 and 286.8) 
which provide for the PORTPASS.
    The public comment period for the proposed amendment closed 
November 12, 1996. One comment was received, which, although discussed 
below, was not within the scope of the proposed amendment to the 
Customs Regulations. Accordingly, Customs has decided to adopt the 
proposed amendment to Part 123 of the Customs Regulations without 
change.

Discussion of Comment

    Comment: One comment was received from the Air Transport 
Association of America which, while applauding Customs effort to 
facilitate the low risk land-border traveler, inquired if such 
innovations would be expanded to the airport inspection environment.
    Customs response: A number of initiatives unique to the air 
environment are available to benefit the air passenger. The 
preclearance program is designed to expedite entry into the United 
States for air passengers traveling directly into the United States 
from Canada and the Caribbean; the Advanced Passenger Information 
System is designed to facilitate entry into the United States for 
passengers on participating carriers; and the General Aviation 
Telephonic Entry Program, currently being tested (see, 61 FR 46902), 
which provides telephonic entry into the United States for qualifying 
general aviation aircraft entering the United States from Canada has 
been developed for private aircraft. Other additional methods to 
further expedite air passengers are currently under consideration as 
part of the National Performance Review (NPR).

Inapplicability of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 
12866

    Pursuant to provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 
601 et seq.), it is certified that the amendment will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
as the amendment concerns the entry status of individuals. Accordingly, 
the amendment is not subject to the regulatory analysis or other 
requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604. This amendment does not meet the 
criteria for a ``significant regulatory action'' as specified in 
Executive Order 12866.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of this document was Gregory R. Vilders, 
Attorney, Regulations Branch. However, personnel from other offices 
participated in its development.

List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 123

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Canada, Customs 
duties and inspection, Fees, Forms, Immigration, Imports, Mexico, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Test programs.

Amendment to the Regulations

    For the reasons stated above, part 123 of the Customs Regulations 
(19 CFR part 123) is amended as set forth below:

PART 123--CUSTOMS RELATIONS WITH CANADA AND MEXICO

    1. The general authority citation for part 123 continues 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.
* * * * *
    2. In Sec. 123.1, the first sentence in paragraph (a) is amended by 
adding the words ``, unless excepted by voluntary enrollment in and 
compliance with PORTPASS--a joint Customs Service/Immigration and 
Naturalization Service facilitated entry program (See, Immigration and 
Naturalization Regulations at 8 CFR 235.13),'' after the words 
``Individuals arriving in the United States''; and, paragraph (b) is 
amended by removing the second and third sentences and adding, in their 
place, the sentence that reads as follows:


Sec. 123.1  Report of arrival from Canada or Mexico and permission to 
proceed.

* * * * *
    (b) Vehicles. * * * Upon arrival of the vehicle in the U.S., the 
driver, unless he or she and all of the vehicle's occupants are 
excepted by enrollment in, and in compliance with, PORTPASS--a joint 
Customs Service/ Immigration and Naturalization Service facilitated 
entry program (See, Immigration and Naturalization Regulations at 8 CFR 
235.1 and 286.8), immediately shall report such arrival to Customs, and 
shall not depart or discharge any passenger or merchandise (including 
baggage) without authorization by the appropriate Customs officer.
* * * * *
George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.

    Approved: May 21, 1997.
Dennis M. O'Connell,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 97-15329 Filed 6-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P