[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15698-15699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6835]


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

COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


New Export Visa Stamp for Certain Wool Textile Products Produced 
or Manufactured in Russia

March 14, 2001.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Issuing a directive to the Commissioner of Customs providing 
for the use of a new export visa stamp.

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

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naomi Freeman, International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, (202) 482-4212.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 1854); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as 
amended.

    Beginning on April 1, 2001, the Government of the Russian 
Federation will start issuing a new export visa stamp for shipments of 
wool textile products in Category 435, produced or manufactured in 
Russia, and exported from Russia on or after April 1, 2001. The new 
visa stamp reflects a name change from ``MINISTRY OF TRADE`` to 
``MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE'' but is otherwise 
unchanged. There will be a one-month grace period from April 1, 2001 
through April 30, 2001, during which products exported from Russia may 
be accompanied by either the old or new export visa stamp. Products 
exported from Russia on or after May 1, 2001 must be accompanied by the 
new export visa stamp.
    See 62 FR 4729, published on January 31, 1997.

D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

March 14, 2001.

Commissioner of Customs,
Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20229.

    Dear Commissioner: This directive amends, but does not cancel, 
the directive issued to you on January 28, 1997, as amended, by the 
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. 
That directive directed you to prohibit entry of certain wool 
textile products in Category 435, produced or manufactured in Russia 
for which the Government of the Russian Federation has not issued an 
appropriate export visa.
    Beginning on April 1, 2001, you are directed to amend further 
the directive dated January 28, 1997 to provide for the use of a new 
export visa stamp issued by the Government of the Russian Federation 
to accompany shipments of wool textile products in Category 435, 
produced or manufactured in Russia, and exported from Russia on or 
after April 1, 2001. The new visa stamp reflects a name change from 
``MINISTRY OF TRADE'' to ``MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND 
TRADE'' but is otherwise unchanged.
    Textile products exported from Russia during the period April 1, 
2001 through April 30, 2001 may be accompanied by either the old or 
new export visa stamp. Products exported from Russia on or after May 
1, 2001 must be accompanied by the new export visa stamp.
    A facsimile of the new visa stamp is enclosed with this letter.
    Shipments entered or withdrawn from warehouse according to this 
directive which are not accompanied by an appropriate export visa 
shall be denied entry and a new visa must be obtained.
    The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has 
determined that this action falls within the foreign affairs 
exception to the rulemaking provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1).



[[Page 15699]]


    Sincerely,
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-F
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN20MR01.004

[FR Doc. 01-6835 Filed 3-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-C