[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 15261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8219]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service


Live Entry Requirement for Non-Automated Entry: Determination Not 
To Proceed

AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Customs Service has been evaluating the feasibility 
of requiring ``live entry'' procedures for non-automated entries, 
referred to as the ``Track One'' proposal. After a significant amount 
of research was done by Customs into the operational and legal issues 
associated with ``Track One'' and consideration of comments solicited 
from Customs personnel and from the trade community, the Customs Trade 
Compliance Board of Directors has decided against proceeding with the 
implementation of ``Track One'' at the present time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries should be directed to Ms. 
Brenda Brockman, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Rm. 6.4B, Washington, DC 
20229 (Telephone (202) 927-1507).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In accordance with the Customs Modernization provisions of the 
North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, which gives 
Customs the flexibility to tailor commercial operations to meet its 
needs and capabilities, Customs has undertaken an effort to redesign 
the entry process. Customs has proposed a four track entry process to 
better address current commercial practices. ``Track One'' would allow 
Customs to streamline the process used by non-automated commercial 
filers by requiring importers who file non-automated entry documents to 
file them as entry/entry summaries (``live entries''), along with all 
documentation and estimated duties, fees and taxes, prior to the 
release of the merchandise.
    A significant amount of research was done by Customs into the 
operational and legal issues associated with adoption of Track One. On 
October 28, 1997, Customs published a document in the Federal Register 
(62 FR 55847) announcing a public meeting to discuss whether Customs 
should proceed with publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking to 
require all non-automated entry documents to be filed as entry/entry 
summaries before the release of merchandise. The document also 
solicited comments regarding a possible change. The public meeting was 
held on November 14, 1997. Upon completion of the research and 
consideration of the comments, a determination was made by the Customs 
Trade Compliance Board of Directors to forego steps toward the 
implementation of ``Track One'' at the present time.

    Dated: March 24, 1998.
Charles W. Winwood,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Strategic Trade.
[FR Doc. 98-8219 Filed 3-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-U