[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 166 (Monday, August 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45077-45078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21514]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

United States Customs Service


Extension of General Program Test for Transfer of International 
In-Transit Baggage

AGENCY: Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: General notice.

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

SUMMARY: This document announces that the test originally announced in 
the Federal Register on February 23, 2000, and modified by a notice 
published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2000, regarding the 
transfer of international in-transit baggage is being extended for an 
additional year. The time for applying to participate in the test also 
is being reopened for an additional six-month period.

DATES: The testing period is extended to August 16, 2002. Written 
applications to participate in the test must be filed with Customs on 
or before February 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Air carriers that have entered into an agreement with the 
Government by signing an Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) 
Memorandum of Understanding may apply to participate in the program 
test by submitting a letter of application to the port director with 
jurisdiction over the airport where the transfer of international in-
transit baggage will occur. Air carriers that wish to participate in 
the test can apply to participate in the APIS program by contacting 
Mike Cronin, Acting Executive Associate Commissioner for the Office of 
Programs, U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20536.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For operational or policy matters: 
Carlene Warren, Passenger Programs Branch, Office of Field Operations 
(202) 927-1391.
    For regulatory matters: Larry L. Burton, Office of Regulations and 
Rulings (202) 927-1287.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 23, 2000, Customs published a general notice in the 
Federal Register (65 FR 9054) announcing a program test that allows 
participating air carriers to more efficiently transfer accompanied air 
passenger baggage from one aircraft entering the United States to 
another aircraft departing from the United States enroute to a foreign 
destination. Under the test, participating air carriers will not be 
required to file an air cargo manifest (Customs Form 7509) but will 
instead electronically transmit certain required information to Customs 
while a flight is enroute to the United States.
    The notice specified that the test covers accompanied, 
international, in-transit, checked baggage that arrives in the United 
States aboard one aircraft and departs from the United States aboard 
another aircraft. (This baggage is referred to as international-to-
international baggage or ITI baggage.) The notice explained the air 
cargo manifest requirement and the ordinary ITI baggage processing 
procedure as provided for under the Customs Regulations; described the 
Advance

[[Page 45078]]

Passenger Information System (APIS) program; set forth the eligibility 
requirements for participation in the test, the information 
transmission and baggage processing procedures required under the test, 
and the test application process; and requested comments on all aspects 
of the test.
    On April 3, 2000, Customs published a general notice in the Federal 
Register (65 FR 17550) to announce an extension of the time period for 
applying to participate in the test. The application period was 
extended to May 26, 2000. On June 16, 2000, Customs published a notice 
in the Federal Register (65 FR 37828) to announce a modification of the 
test program based on a review of the comments received and a 
reevaluation of the test. That June 16, 2000, notice also provided for 
a new application period, to July 31, 2000, and stated that the 
modified program test would commence no earlier than August 15, 2000, 
and would run for approximately one year.
    Customs has determined that the test as it is currently being 
conducted should be extended for an additional year and that the time 
for applying to participate in the test should be reopened for a new 
six-month period. Extending the test period and reopening the 
application process will enable Customs to more fully evaluate the 
results of the test and formulate proposals to amend the Customs 
Regulations, as may be appropriate, to adopt the procedures under the 
test on a more permanent basis.
    Accordingly, the testing period is extended to August 16, 2002, and 
applications to participate in the test will be accepted by Customs 
through February 15, 2002. Customs notes that both the notice published 
on February 23, 2000, and the notice published on June 16, 2000, should 
be consulted for a fuller understanding of the various aspects of the 
program test, as the latter notice did not modify all aspects of the 
test. In addition, as the application process was modified in the 
notice of June 16, 2000, that notice should be consulted on how to 
apply for participation in the test.

    Dated: August 21, 2001.
Bonni G. Tischler,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 01-21514 Filed 8-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P