[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 165 (Monday, August 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48435-48436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18655]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Extension of the Section 321 Data Pilot

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

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP) is extending the Section 321 Data Pilot through August 2023.

DATES: The voluntary pilot initially began on August 22, 2019, and will 
run for an additional 24 months through August 2023. At this time, the 
pilot is limited to a maximum of nine participants.

ADDRESSES: Prospective pilot participants should submit an email to 
[email protected]. In the subject line of your email please state 
``Application for Section 321 Data Pilot.'' For information on what to 
include in the email, see section II.D (Application Process and 
Acceptance) of the notice published in the Federal Register on July 23, 
2019 (84 FR 35405).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Dempsey, Director, IPR & E-
Commerce Division at [email protected] or 202-615-0514 and 
Daniel Randall, Director, Manifest & Conveyance Security at 
[email protected] or 202-344-3282.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, provides for an 
exemption from duty and taxes for shipments of merchandise imported by 
one person on one day having an aggregated fair retail value in the 
country of shipment not less than $800. 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C). On 
July 23, 2019, CBP published a general notice in the Federal Register 
(84 FR 35405) (hereafter referred to as the ``July 2019 notice'') 
introducing a voluntary Section 321 Data Pilot. Pilot participants 
agree to transmit electronically certain data in advance

[[Page 48436]]

for shipments potentially eligible for release under Section 321 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (``section 321 shipments''). The data pilot tests 
the feasibility of collecting data elements, beyond those required by 
current regulations, and from non-traditional entities, such as online 
marketplaces. The purpose of this data pilot is to improve CBP's 
ability to target efficiently and assess the security risks posed by 
section 321 shipments.
    The July 2019 notice provided a comprehensive description of the 
program and its purpose, eligibility requirements, and the application 
process for participation. 84 FR 35405. Specifically, the July 2019 
notice stated that the data pilot applied only to section 321 shipments 
arriving by air, truck, or rail and was set to conclude on August 22, 
2020. 84 FR 35405. On December 9, 2019, CBP published another notice in 
the Federal Register (84 FR 67279) (hereafter referred to as the 
``December 2019 notice''). This notice expanded the pilot to include 
section 321 shipments arriving by ocean and international mail covered 
in 19 CFR part 145, extended the pilot through August 2021, and 
provided clarification with respect to the misconduct portion of the 
data pilot. 84 FR 67279.

II. Extension of the Section 321 Data Pilot Period

    CBP will extend the test for another two years to continue further 
evaluation of the 321 Data Pilot program and the risks associated with 
section 321 shipments. The pilot will now run through August 2023.

III. Applicability of Initial Test Notice

    All provisions found in the July 2019 notice remain applicable, 
subject to the time period extension herein and the amendments provided 
in the December 2019 notice. Furthermore, CBP reiterates that it is not 
waiving any regulations for purposes of the pilot. All existing 
regulations continue to apply to pilot participants.

IV. Signing Authority

    Troy A. Miller, the Acting Commissioner, having reviewed and 
approved this document, is delegating the authority to electronically 
sign this document to Robert F. Altneu, who is the Director of the 
Regulations and Disclosure Law Division for CBP, for purposes of 
publication in the Federal Register.

    Dated: August 25, 2021.
Robert F. Altneu,
Director, Regulations & Disclosure Law Division, Regulations & Rulings, 
Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 2021-18655 Filed 8-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P