[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 64 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8113]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Part 275

[Notice No. 894]
RIN 1512-AB71


Implementation of Public Law 105-33, Section 9302, Requiring the 
Qualification of Tobacco Products Importers.

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of 
the Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document reopens the comment period for Notice No. 888, a 
notice of proposed rulemaking cross-referenced to temporary 
regulations, published in the Federal Register on December 22, 1999. 
ATF has received a request to extend the comment period in order to 
provide sufficient time for all interested parties to respond to the 
issues raised in the notice.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 3, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Regulations Division, 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box 50221, Washington, DC 
20091-0221, Attention: Notice Number 888.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clifford A. Mullen by writing to 
Regulations Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650 
Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20226, by phone at 202-927-
8210, or by e-mail at alcohol/[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 22, 1999, ATF published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) cross-referenced to temporary regulations in the Federal 
Register soliciting comments from the public and industry on proposed 
regulations implementing the provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 
1997, Public Law 105-33. These provisions amended the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 to require that, beginning January 1, 2000, importers of 
tobacco products qualify for a permit to conduct that activity (Notice 
No. 888; 64 FR 71955).
    The comment period for Notice No. 888 was scheduled to close on 
February 22, 2000. Prior to the close of the comment period, ATF 
received a request from a manufacturer of tobacco products, RJ Reynolds 
Tobacco Company to extend the comment period. RJ Reynolds stated that 
it needed additional time to coordinate the comments of several 
departments within the company which have an interest in the 
importation of tobacco products.
    In consideration of the above, ATF finds that a reopening of the 
comment period is warranted. Thus, the comment period is being reopened 
for an additional 30 days until May 3, 2000. The Bureau believes that a 
comment period totaling 90 days is a sufficient amount of time for all 
interested parties to respond.

Disclosure

    Copies of this notice, Notice No. 888, and the written comments 
will be available for public inspection during normal business hours 
at: ATF Public Reading Room, Room 6480, 650 Massachussetts Avenue, NW, 
Washington DC.
    Drafting Information. The author of this document is Clifford A. 
Mullen, Regulations Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 275

    Administrative practices and procedures, Authority delegations, 
Cigarette papers and tubes, Cigars and cigarettes, Claims, Customs 
duties and inspections, Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, 
Imports, Labeling, Packaging and containers, Penalties, Reporting and 
record keeping requirements, Seizures and forfeitures, Surety bonds, 
U.S. Possessions, Warehouses.

Authority and Issuance

    This notice is issued under the authority in 26 U.S.C. 7805.

    Signed: March 22, 2000.
Bradley A. Buckles,
Director.
[FR Doc. 00-8113 Filed 3-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P