[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 9768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3306]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Exemption of Foreign Air Carriers From Customs Duties and Excise 
Taxes; Review of Findings of Reciprocity Eligibility

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Solicitation of public comments concerning a review undertaken 
at the request of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service of existing 
exemptions for aircraft of foreign registry from certain customs duties 
and internal revenue taxes on the purchase of supplies in the United 
States for such aircraft in connection with their international 
commercial operations.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to sections 1309 and 
1317 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1309 and 1317), 
and section 4221 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (26 U.S.C. 
4221), the Department of Commerce is undertaking to determine whether 
the governments of the countries listed herein allow or will allow 
substantially reciprocal customs duties and tax exemptions to aircraft 
of U.S. registry in connection with international commercial operations 
similar to those exemptions currently granted to or available to 
aircraft of those countries by the United States under the 
aforementioned statutes. The basis for this undertaking is the 
implementation of certain provisions of the Air Transport Agreement 
between the United States and the European Community and its Member 
States, signed in Washington, DC, on April 30, 2007. The Department of 
Commerce finding would be effective as of March 30, 2008.
    The above-cited statutes provide exemptions for aircraft of foreign 
registry from payment of certain customs duties and internal revenue 
taxes on supplies purchased, imported or stored in the United States 
for such aircraft in connection with their international commercial 
operations. These exemptions apply upon a finding by the Secretary of 
Commerce, or his designee, and communicated to the Department of the 
Treasury, that such country allows, or will allow, ``substantially 
reciprocal privileges'' to aircraft of U.S. registry with respect to 
purchases of such supplies in that country. The Department of Commerce 
proposes that aircraft registered in the following countries be 
provided exemptions as allowed by sections 1309 and 1317 of the Tariff 
Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1309 and 1317), and section 4221 of 
the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (26 U.S.C. 4221).
    Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, 
Estonia, Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Hungary, 
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, 
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, 
United Kingdom.
    Interested parties are invited to submit their views, comments and 
supporting documentation in writing, concerning this matter to Ms. Ana 
Guevara, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services, Room 1128, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230. Submissions should be 
sent electronically to [email protected]. All submissions should be 
received no later than thirty days from the date of publication of this 
notice. Comments received, with the exception of information marked 
``business confidential,'' will be available for public inspection upon 
request. Information marked ``business confidential'' shall be 
protected from disclosure to the full extent permitted by law. It is 
suggested that those desiring additional information contact Mr. Eugene 
Alford, Office of Service Industries, Room 1104, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, or telephone 202-482-5071.

    Dated: February 15, 2008.
Carlos Montoulieu,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services.
[FR Doc. E8-3306 Filed 2-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P