[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8807-8809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04428]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

19 CFR Part 12

[CBP Dec. 19-03]
RIN 1515-AE45


Extension of Import Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological and 
Ecclesiastical Ethnological Material From Honduras

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP) regulations to reflect an extension of import restrictions on 
certain archaeological and ecclesiastical ethnological material from 
Honduras. The restrictions, which were originally imposed by CBP Dec. 
04-08 and last extended by CBP Dec. 14-03, are due to expire March 12, 
2019. The Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
United States Department of State, has made the requisite determination 
for extending the import restrictions that previously existed and 
entering into a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Honduras to 
reflect the extension of these import restrictions. The new MOU 
supersedes the existing agreement that became effective on March 12, 
2014. Accordingly, these import restrictions will remain in effect for 
an additional five years, and the CBP regulations are being amended to 
reflect this further extension through March 12, 2024. CBP Dec. 14-03 
contains the amended Designated List of archaeological and 
ecclesiastical ethnological material from Honduras to which the 
restrictions apply.

DATES:  Effective Date: March 12, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For legal aspects, Lisa L. Burley, 
Branch

[[Page 8808]]

Chief, Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted Merchandise Branch, 
Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, (202) 325-0215, [email protected]. For operational aspects, Christopher 
N. Robertson, Branch Chief, Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center, 
Trade Policy and Programs, Office of Trade, (202) 325-6586, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, 
Public Law 97-446, 19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., which implements the 1970 
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 
(UNESCO) Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the 
Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property 
(823 U.N.T.S. 231 (1972)), the United States entered into a bilateral 
agreement with the Republic of Honduras (Honduras) on March 12, 2004, 
concerning the imposition of import restrictions on certain 
archaeological material representing the Pre-Columbian cultures of 
Honduras and ranging in date from approximately 1200 B.C. to 1500 A.D. 
On March 16, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published CBP 
Dec. 04-08 in the Federal Register (69 FR 12267), which amended 19 CFR 
12.104g(a) to reflect the imposition of these restrictions and included 
a list designating the types of archaeological material covered by the 
restrictions.
    Import restrictions listed at 19 CFR 12.104g(a) are effective for 
no more than five years beginning on the date on which the agreement 
enters into force with respect to the United States. This period may be 
extended for additional periods of not more than five years if it is 
determined that the factors which justified the initial agreement still 
pertain and no cause for suspension of the agreement exists.
    On March 11, 2009, CBP published a final rule (CBP Dec. 09-05) in 
the Federal Register (74 FR 10482), which amended Sec.  12.104g(a) to 
reflect the extension of these import restrictions for an additional 
five years, to March 12, 2014.
    On September 24, 2013, the United States Department of State 
proposed in the Federal Register (78 FR 58596) to extend the agreement 
through a bilateral agreement between the United States and Honduras 
concerning the imposition of import restrictions on archaeological 
material from the pre-Columbian cultures of Honduras. On February 11, 
2014, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
United States Department of State, made the necessary determinations to 
extend the import restrictions for an additional five years. 
Additionally, pursuant to his statutory and decision-making authority, 
the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United 
States Department of State, included the coverage of certain 
ecclesiastical ethnological material to the Designated List. On March 
12, 2014, CBP published a final rule (CBP Dec. 14-03) in the Federal 
Register (79 FR 13873). This final rule amended Sec.  12.104g(a) to 
reflect the extension of these import restrictions for an additional 
five years and added restrictions on ecclesiastical ethological 
material dating to the Colonial Period of Honduras, c. A.D. 1502 to 
1821. The amended Designated List of archaeological and ecclesiastical 
ethnological material is set forth in CBP Dec. 14-03. These import 
restrictions are due to expire on March 12, 2019.
    On December 14, 2018, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, after consultation 
with and recommendations by the Cultural Property Advisory Committee, 
determined that the cultural heritage of Honduras continues to be in 
jeopardy from pillage of certain archaeological and ecclesiastical 
ethnological material and that the import restrictions should be 
extended for an additional five years. Subsequently, a new MOU was 
concluded between the United States and Honduras. The new MOU 
supersedes and replaces the prior MOU and extends the import 
restrictions that went into effect under the prior MOU for an 
additional five years. This MOU is titled: ``Memorandum of 
Understanding between the Government of the United States of America 
and the Government of Republic of Honduras Concerning the Imposition of 
Import Restrictions on Archaeological Material from the Pre-Columbian 
Cultures of Honduras and Ecclesiastical Ethnological Materials from the 
Colonial Period of Honduras.'' Accordingly, CBP is amending 19 CFR 
12.104g(a) to reflect the extension of the import restrictions.
    The restrictions on the importation of archaeological and 
ecclesiastical ethnological material are to continue in effect through 
March 12, 2024. Importation of such material from Honduras continues to 
be restricted through that date unless the conditions set forth in 19 
U.S.C. 2606 and 19 CFR 12.104c are met.
    The Designated List and additional information may also be found at 
the following website address: https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-property-advisory-committee/current-import-restrictions 
by selecting the material for ``Honduras.''

Inapplicability of Notice and Delayed Effective Date

    This amendment involves a foreign affairs function of the United 
States and is, therefore, being made without notice or public procedure 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1). For the same reason, a delayed effective date 
is not required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required, the 
provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do 
not apply.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13771

    CBP has determined that this document is not a regulation or rule 
subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12866 or Executive Order 
13771 because it pertains to a foreign affairs function of the United 
States, as described above, and therefore is specifically exempted by 
section 3(d)(2) of Executive Order 12866 and section 4(a) of Executive 
Order 13771.

Signing Authority

    This regulation is being issued in accordance with 19 CFR 
0.1(a)(1), pertaining to the Secretary of the Treasury's authority (or 
that of his/her delegate) to approve regulations related to customs 
revenue functions.

List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 12

    Cultural property, Customs duties and inspection, Imports, 
Prohibited merchandise.

Amendment to CBP Regulations

    For the reasons set forth above, part 12 of title 19 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (19 CFR part 12) is amended as set forth below:

PART 12--SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE

0
1. The general authority citation for part 12 and the specific 
authority citation for Sec.  12.104g continue to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 3(i), 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624;
* * * * *
    Sections 12.104 through 12.104i also issued under 19 U.S.C. 
2612;
* * * * *


0
2. In Sec.  12.104g, the table in paragraph (a) is amended by removing 
the words ``CBP Dec. 04-08 extended by CBP Dec.

[[Page 8809]]

14-03'' and adding in their place the words ``CBP Dec. 14-03 extended 
by CBP Dec. 19-03''.


Kevin K. McAleenan,
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    Approved: March 7, 2019.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 2019-04428 Filed 3-11-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-14-P