[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 107 (Friday, June 4, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29975-29976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14167]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR PARTS 4 AND 159

RIN 1515-AC30


Foreign Repairs to American Vessels

AGENCY: Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document provides an additional 30 days for interested 
members of the public to submit comments on proposed amendments to the 
Customs Regulations concerning foreign repairs to American vessels. The 
proposed amendments would revise the regulations regarding the 
declaration, entry, assessment of duty and processing of petitions for 
relief from duty for vessels of the United States that undergo foreign 
shipyard operations. The proposed amendments to the vessel repair 
regulations are intended to accurately reflect current statutory law, 
as well as legal and policy determinations made as a result of judicial 
decisions and administrative enforcement experience.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 21, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be addressed to the Regulations Branch, U.S. 
Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 3rd Floor, Washington 
D.C. 20229. All comments submitted will be available for public 
inspection in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 
552), Sec. 1.4, Treasury Department Regulations (31 CFR 1.4), and 
Sec. 103.11(b), Customs Regulations (19

[[Page 29976]]

CFR 103.11(b)), between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on normal business days 
at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry L. Burton, Office of Regulations 
and Rulings, 202-927-1287.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Customs published a document in the Federal Register (64 FR 19508) 
on April 21, 1999, inviting the public to comment on proposed 
amendments to its regulations concerning foreign repairs to American 
vessels. Specifically, the proposed amendments would revise the Customs 
Regulations regarding the declaration, entry, assessment of duty and 
processing of petitions for relief from duty for vessels of the United 
States that undergo foreign shipyard operations. The proposed 
amendments to the vessel repair regulations are intended to accurately 
reflect current statutory law, as well as legal and policy 
determinations made as a result of judicial decisions and 
administrative enforcement experience.
    Comments on the proposed rule were due on or before June 21, 1999. 
However, a request has been made on behalf of a large shipping concern 
to extend the period of time for comments on the proposed rule for an 
additional 30 days (until July 21, 1999). The additional time is 
requested so that a thorough and meaningful comment may be prepared, in 
light of the fact that the proposal involves a major revision of the 
vessel repair regulations.
    Customs has concluded under the circumstances that this request has 
merit. Accordingly, the period of time for the submission of public 
comments on the proposed rule is being extended as requested.

    Dated: June 1, 1999.
Stuart P. Seidel,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Regulations and Rulings.
[FR Doc. 99-14167 Filed 6-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P