[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4344-4345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1951]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service


TECRO/AIT Carnet Issuing and Guaranteeing Association

AGENCY: Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: General Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public that Customs has selected the 
United States Council for International Business as the organization 
which will issue and guarantee TECRO/AIT carnets. These carnets are 
being issued pursuant to the TECRO/AIT Carnet Agreement which has been 
entered into between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative in 
the United States (TECRO) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) 
for the temporary admission of goods,

[[Page 4345]]

commercial samples and professional equipment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Scopa, Office of Field 
Operations 202-927-3112.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This notice advises the public that the United States Council for 
International Business has been selected as the issuing and 
guaranteeing organization for a new carnet, known as the ``TECRO/AIT 
Carnet''. This carnet is being offered as a result of the signing of a 
bilateral carnet agreement between the Taipei Economic and Cultural 
Representative in the United States (TECRO) and the American Institute 
in Taiwan (AIT) for the temporary admission of goods, commercial 
samples and professional equipment. In a final rule also published in 
this issue of the Federal Register, Customs is amending its regulations 
which apply to carnets to reflect this new agreement.
    A carnet is an international customs document, backed by an 
internationally valid guarantee, which may be used for the temporary 
admission of merchandise. The carnet is used in place of the usual 
national customs documentation and guarantees the payment of duties 
(including taxes) which may become due if the requirements of the 
carnet are not satisfied.
    Taiwan is currently ineligible to accede to the ATA Carnet 
Convention, under which carnets facilitate trade among more than fifty 
contracting parties. Thus, Taiwan has sought access to the carnet 
facility through the recently concluded TECRO/AIT Carnet Agreement. 
This agreement was negotiated pursuant to the authority contained in 22 
U.S.C. 3305.
    On November 4, 1996, a Notice was published in the Federal Register 
(61 FR 56740) in which the Customs Service informed the public of the 
TECRO/AIT carnet and solicited applications for an organization to 
issue and guarantee the new carnet.
    The issuing association must be approved by the Commissioner of 
Customs. The guaranteeing association is jointly and severally liable 
with the carnet holder for the payment of the sums. The guaranteeing 
association also must be approved by the Commissioner of Customs.
    Pursuant to Sec. 114.11, Customs Regulations (19 CFR 114.11), an 
association, in order to be approved by Customs, must provide in 
writing that it will undertake to perform the functions and fulfill the 
obligations specified in the Agreement to which the United States 
accedes.
    Based upon the information received from the United States Council 
for International Business, the Commissioner of Customs has determined 
that the United States Council for International Business satisfies the 
conditions to be designated an issuing and guaranteeing organization 
for the TECRO/AIT Carnet.

    Dated: July 15, 1997.

    Editorial note: This document was received by the Office of the 
Federal Register on January 22, 1998.
George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.
[FR Doc. 98-1951 Filed 1-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P