[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 45072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17116]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Customs and Border Protection

[CBP Dec. 04-23]


Duty-Free Treatment of Articles Imported in Connection With the 
2004 FINA World Championships

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Notice of designation of international athletic event for 
purposes of preferential tariff provision.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public of the designation of the 2004 
Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Championships, an 
international swimming competition, as a qualifying international 
athletic event under subheading 9817.60.00, Harmonized Tariff Schedule 
of the United States (HTSUS).

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 28, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristen K. Ver Steeg, Office of 
Regulations and Rulings (202-572-8810).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 1456 of the Tariff Suspension and Trade Act of 2000 (the 
Act) (Pub. L. 106-476, 114 Stat. 2101) promulgated the duty-free 
treatment provided under subheading 9817.60.00, HTSUS, for certain 
articles brought into the United States for certain international 
athletic events. Subheading 9817.60.00, HTSUS, which implements section 
1456(a) of the Act, states:

    Any of the following articles not intended for sale or 
distribution to the public: personal effects of aliens who are 
participants in, officials of, or accredited members of delegations 
to, an international athletic event held in the United States, such 
as the Olympics and Paralympics, the Goodwill Games, the Special 
Olympics World Games, the World Cup Soccer Games, or any similar 
international athletic event as the Secretary of the Treasury may 
determine, and of persons who are immediate family members of or 
servants to any of the foregoing persons; equipment and materials 
imported in connection with any such foregoing event by or on behalf 
of the foregoing persons or the organizing committee of such an 
event, articles to be used in exhibitions depicting the culture of a 
country participating in such an event; and, if consistent with the 
foregoing, such other articles as the Secretary of the Treasury may 
allow.

    Section 1456(b) of the Act, provides that such articles are free of 
duty, taxes, and fees, but are subject to routine inspections. The 
authority in section 1456 has been delegated to the Commissioner of 
Customs and Border Protection. See Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(Public Law 107-296), Treasury Department Order No. 100-16, DHS 
Delegation Number 7010.1.
    The 2004 World Swimming Championships will be held in Indianapolis, 
Indiana, from October 7, 2004, though October 11, 2004. This event is 
sponsored by the FINA, which is the international governing body for 
all aquatic sports, including swimming. United States Aquatic Sports 
(USAS), USA Swimming and the Indiana Sports Corporation will also 
sponsor the event, which will feature approximately 600 athletes from 
more than 100 countries. The President, USAS, on behalf of the Indiana 
Sports Corporation, has requested that the event be designated as a 
qualifying international athletic event for purposes of subheading 
9817.60.00, HTSUS.

Determination

    It is determined that the 2004 FINA World Championships qualifies 
as a ``similar international athletic event'' in accordance with 
section 1456 of the Tariff Suspension and Trade Act of 2000. Therefore, 
articles meeting the conditions and requirements set forth in 
subheading 9817.60.00, HTSUS, imported in connection with the 2004 FINA 
World Swimming Championships, will be entitled to duty-free treatment.

Robert C. Bonner,
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 04-17116 Filed 7-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P