[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 36 (Thursday, February 23, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11388-11393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03727]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

19 CFR Part 12

[CBP Dec. 23-03]
RIN 1515-AE79


Extension of Import Restrictions on Archaeological and 
Ethnological Materials of Libya

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This document amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP) regulations to reflect an extension of import restrictions on 
certain categories of archaeological and ethnological materials of 
Libya. The Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
United States Department of State, has made the requisite 
determinations for extending the import restrictions and no cause for 
suspension exists. The restrictions, originally imposed by CBP Decision 
(CBP Dec.) 18-07, will be extended for an additional five-year period, 
through February 23, 2028, and the CBP regulations are being amended to 
reflect this extension. The Designated List of archaeological and 
ethnological material of Libya to which the restrictions apply is 
reproduced below with a statement clarifying that ethnological material 
on the Designated List excludes Jewish ceremonial and ritual objects.

DATES: Effective on February 23, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For legal aspects, W. Richmond 
Beevers, Chief, Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted Merchandise 
Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, (202) 325-0084, [email protected]. For operational aspects, Julie L. 
Stoeber, Chief, 1USG Branch, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of 
Trade, (202) 945-7064, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (Pub. 
L. 97-446, 19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) (CPIA), 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)) (Convention), the United States may enter 
into international agreements with another State Party to the 
Convention to impose import restrictions on eligible archaeological and 
ethnological materials. Under the CPIA and the applicable U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, found in section 12.104 of 
Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (19 CFR 12.104), the 
restrictions are effective for no more than five years beginning on the 
date on which an agreement enters into force with respect to the United 
States (19 U.S.C. 2602(b)). This period may be extended for additional 
periods, each extension not to exceed five years, if it is determined 
that the factors justifying the initial agreement still pertain and no 
cause for suspension of the agreement exists (19 U.S.C. 2602(e); 19 CFR 
12.104g(a)). In certain limited circumstances, the CPIA authorizes the 
imposition of restrictions on an emergency basis (19 U.S.C. 2603). The 
emergency restrictions are effective for no more than five years from 
the date of the State Party's request and may be extended for three 
years where it is determined that the emergency condition continues to 
apply with respect to the covered material (19 U.S.C. 2603(c)(3)). 
These restrictions may also be continued pursuant to an agreement 
concluded within the meaning of the Act (19 U.S.C. 2603(c)(4)).
    On December 5, 2017, CBP published a final rule, CBP Dec. 17-19 (82 
FR 57346), amending 19 CFR 12.104g(b) to reflect the imposition of 
emergency restrictions on the importation of certain categories of 
archaeological and ethnological materials of Libya, pursuant to 19 
U.S.C. 2603(c). On February 23, 2018, the United States entered into a 
memorandum of understanding (2018 MOU) with the Government of Libya 
(Libya), concerning the imposition of import restrictions on 
archaeological and ethnological material of Libya. The 2018 MOU covered 
the same archaeological and ethnological materials subject to the 
emergency restrictions.
    On July 9, 2018, CBP published a final rule, CBP Dec. 18-07, in the 
Federal Register (83 FR 31654) amending 19 CFR 12.104g(a) to reflect 
the imposition of restrictions pursuant to the 2018 MOU. CBP Dec. 18-07 
extended the import restrictions implemented in 19 CFR 12.104g(b) by 
CBP Dec. 17-19 for a five-year period, through February 23, 2023.
    On June 21, 2022, the United States Department of State proposed in 
the Federal Register (87 FR 36911) to extend the MOU between the United 
States and Libya concerning the import restrictions on certain 
categories of archaeological and ethnological material from Libya. On 
December 14, 2022, after considering the views and recommendations of 
the Cultural Property Advisory Committee, the Assistant Secretary for 
Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, 
determined that the cultural heritage of Libya continues to be in 
jeopardy from pillage of certain archeological and ethnological 
materials, and that the import restrictions should be extended for an 
additional five years, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 2602(e). Following the 
exchange of diplomatic notes, the United States Department of State and 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Libya have agreed 
to extend the 2018 MOU for an additional five-year period.
    Accordingly, CBP is amending 19 CFR 12.104g(a) to reflect the 
extension of the import restrictions through February 23, 2028, and is 
adding a statement to the Designated List clarifying that Jewish 
ceremonial and ritual objects are not covered by import restrictions on 
ethnological material. Importation of designated material from Libya 
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/current-agreements-and-import-restrictions by 
selecting the material for ``Libya.'' The designated list is included 
below with the addition of the clarifying statement on Jewish 
ceremonial and ritual objects.

Designated List

    The bilateral agreement between Libya and the United States covers 
the material set forth below in a Designated List of Archaeological and 
Ethnological Material of Libya. Importation of material on this list is 
restricted unless the material is accompanied by documentation 
certifying that the material left Libya legally and not in violation of 
the export laws of Libya. In order to clarify certain provisions of the 
Designated List contained CBP Dec. 18-07, the Designated List has been 
updated in this document with minor

[[Page 11389]]

revisions clarifying that Jewish ceremonial and ritual objects are not 
covered by import restrictions on ethnological material.
    The Designated List covers archaeological material of Libya and 
Ottoman ethnological material of Libya (as defined in section 302 of 
the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 
2601)), including, but not limited to, the following types of material. 
The archaeological material represents the following periods and 
cultures: Paleolithic, Neolithic, Punic, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, 
Islamic and Ottoman dating approximately 12,000 B.C. to 1750 A.D. The 
ethnological material represents categories of Ottoman objects derived 
from sites of Islamic cultural importance, made by a nonindustrial 
society (Ottoman Libya), and important to the knowledge of the history 
of Islamic Ottoman society in Libya from 1551 A.D. through 1911 A.D. 
This would exclude Jewish ceremonial and ritual objects.
    The Designated List set forth below is representative only. Any 
dimensions are approximate.

I. Archaeological Material

A. Stone

    1. Sculpture
    a. Architectural Elements--In marble, limestone, sandstone, and 
gypsum, in addition to porphyry and granite. From temples, forts, 
palaces, mosques, synagogues, churches, shrines, tombs, monuments, 
public buildings, and domestic dwellings, including doors, door frames, 
window fittings, columns, capitals, bases, lintels, jambs, friezes, 
pilasters, engaged columns, altars, mihrabs (prayer niches), screens, 
fountains, mosaics, inlays, and blocks from walls, floors, and 
ceilings. May be plain, molded, or carved. Often decorated with motifs 
and inscriptions. Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. to 1750 A.D.
    b. Architectural and Non-architectural Relief Sculpture--In marble, 
limestone, sandstone, and other stone. Types include carved slabs with 
figural, vegetative, floral, geometric, or other decorative motifs, 
carved relief vases, stelae, and plaques, sometimes inscribed in Greek, 
Punic, Latin, or Arabic. Used for architectural decoration, funerary, 
votive, or commemorative monuments. Approximate date: 1st millennium 
B.C. to 1750 A.D.
    c. Monuments--In marble, limestone, and other kinds of stone. Types 
include votive statues, funerary and votive stelae, and bases and base 
revetments. These may be painted, carved with relief sculpture, 
decorated with moldings, and/or carry dedicatory or funerary 
inscriptions in Greek, Punic, Latin, or Arabic. Approximate date: 1st 
millennium B.C. to 1750 A.D.
    d. Statuary--Primarily in marble, but also in limestone and 
sandstone. Large- and small-scale, including deities, human, animal, 
and hybrid figures, as well as groups of figures in the round. Common 
types are large-scale and free-standing statuary from approximately 3 
to 8 ft. in height, life-sized portrait or funerary busts (head and 
shoulders of an individual), waist-length female busts that are either 
faceless (aniconic) and/or veiled (head or face), and statuettes 
typically 1 to 3 ft. in height. Includes fragments of statues. 
Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. to 1750 A.D.
    e. Sepulchers--In marble, limestone, and other kinds of stone. 
Types of burial containers include sarcophagi, caskets, and chest urns. 
May be plain or have figural, geometric, or floral motifs painted on 
them, be carved in relief, and/or have decorative moldings. Approximate 
date: 1st millennium B.C. to 1750 A.D.
    2. Vessels and Containers--In marble and other stone. Vessels may 
belong to conventional shapes such as bowls, cups, jars, jugs, lamps, 
and flasks, and also include smaller funerary urns. Funerary urns can 
be egg-shaped vases with button-topped covers and may have sculpted 
portraits, painted geometric motifs, inscriptions, scroll-like handles 
and/or be ribbed.
    3. Furniture--In marble and other stone. Types include thrones, 
tables, and beds. May be funerary, but do not have to be. Approximate 
date: 1st millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    4. Inscriptions--Primarily in marble and limestone. Inscribed stone 
material date from the late 7th century B.C. to 5th century A.D. May 
include funerary stelae, votive plaques, tombstones, mosaic floors, and 
building plaques in Greek, Punic, Latin, or Arabic. Approximate date: 
1st millennium B.C. to 1750 A.D.
    5. Tools and Weapons--In flint, chert, obsidian, and other hard 
stones. Prehistoric and Protohistoric microliths (small stone tools). 
Chipped stone types include blades, borers, scrapers, sickles, cores, 
and arrow heads. Ground stone types include grinders (e.g., mortars, 
pestles, millstones, whetstones), choppers, axes, hammers, and mace 
heads. Approximate date: 12,000 B.C. to 1,400 B.C.
    6. Jewelry, Seals, and Beads--In marble, limestone, and various 
semi-precious stones, including rock crystal, amethyst, jasper, agate, 
steatite, and carnelian. Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. to 12th 
century A.D.

B. Metal

    1. Sculpture
    a. Statuary--Primarily in bronze, iron, silver, or gold, including 
fragments of statues. Large- and small-scale, including deities, human, 
and animal figures, as well as groups of figures in the round. Common 
types are large-scale, free-standing statuary from approximately 3 to 8 
ft. in height and life-size busts (head and shoulders of an individual) 
and statuettes typically 1 to 3 ft. in height. Approximate date: 1st 
millennium B.C. to 324 A.D.
    b. Reliefs--Relief sculpture, including plaques, appliques, stelae, 
and masks. Often in bronze. May include Greek, Punic, Latin, and Arabic 
inscriptions. Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. to 324 A.D.
    c. Inscribed or Decorated Sheet--In bronze or lead. Engraved 
inscriptions, ``curse tablets,'' and thin metal sheets with engraved or 
impressed designs often used as attachments to furniture. Approximate 
date: 1st millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    2. Vessels and Containers--In bronze, silver, and gold. These may 
belong to conventional shapes such as bowls, cups, jars, jugs, 
strainers, cauldrons, and oil lamps, or may occur in the shape of an 
animal or part of an animal. Also include scroll and manuscript 
containers for manuscripts. All can portray deities, humans or animals, 
as well as floral motifs in relief. Islamic Period objects may be 
inscribed in Arabic. Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. to 15th 
century A.D.
    3. Jewelry and Other Items for Personal Adornment--In iron, bronze, 
silver, and gold. Metal can be inlaid (with items such as red coral, 
colored stones, and glass). Types include necklaces, chokers, 
pectorals, rings, beads, pendants, belts, belt buckles, earrings, 
diadems, straight pins and fibulae, bracelets, anklets, girdles, belts, 
mirrors, wreaths and crowns, make-up accessories and tools, metal 
strigils (scrapers), crosses, and lamp-holders. Approximate date: 1st 
millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    4. Seals--In lead, tin, copper, bronze, silver, and gold. Types 
include rings, amulets, and seals with shank. Approximate date: 1st 
millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    5. Tools--In copper, bronze and iron. Types include hooks, weights, 
axes, scrapers, trowels, keys and the tools of crafts persons such as 
carpenters, masons and metal smiths. Approximate

[[Page 11390]]

date: 1st millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    6. Weapons and Armor--Body armor, including helmets, cuirasses, 
shin guards, and shields, and horse armor often decorated with 
elaborate engraved, embossed, or perforated designs. Both launching 
weapons (spears and javelins) and weapons for hand to hand combat 
(swords, daggers, etc.). Approximate date: 8th century B.C. to 4th 
century A.D.
    7. Coins
    a. General--Examples of many of the coins found in ancient Libya 
may be found in: A. Burnett and others, Roman Provincial Coinage, 
multiple volumes (British Museum Press and the Biblioth[egrave]que 
Nationale de France, 1992-), R. S. Poole and others, Catalogue of Greek 
Coins in the British Museum, volumes 1-29 (British Museum Trustees 
1873-1927) and H. Mattingly and others, Coins of the Roman Empire in 
the British Museum, volumes 1-6 (British Museum Trustees 1923-62). For 
Byzantine coins, see Grierson, Philip, Byzantine Coins, London, 1982. 
For publication of examples of coins circulating in archaeological 
sites, see La moneta di Cirene e della Cirenaica nel Mediterraneo. 
Problemi e Prospettive, Atti del V Congresso Internazionale di 
Numismatica e di Storia Monetaria, Padova, 17-19 marzo 2016, Padova 
2016 (Numismatica Patavina, 13).
    b. Greek Bronze Coins--Struck by city-states of the Pentapolis, 
Carthage and the Ptolemaic kingdom that operated in territory of the 
Cyrenaica in eastern Libya. Approximate date: 4th century B.C. to late 
1st century B.C.
    c. Greek Silver and Gold Coins--This category includes coins of the 
city-states of the Pentapolis in the Cyrenaica and the Ptolemaic 
Kingdom. Coins from the city-state of Cyrene often bear an image of the 
silphium plant. Such coins date from the late 6th century B.C. to late 
1st century B.C.
    d. Roman Coins--In silver and bronze, struck at Roman and Roman 
provincial mints including Apollonia, Barca, Balagrae, Berenice, 
Cyrene, Ptolemais, Leptis Magna, Oea, and Sabratha. Approximate date: 
late 3rd century B.C. to 1st century A.D.
    e. Byzantine Coins--In bronze, silver, and gold by Byzantine 
emperors. Struck in Constantinople and other mints. From 4th century 
A.D. through 1396 A.D.
    f. Islamic Coins--In bronze, silver, and gold. Dinars with Arabic 
inscriptions inside a circle or square, may be surrounded with symbols. 
Struck at mints in Libya (Barqa) and adjacent regions. From 642 A.D. to 
15th century A.D.
    g. Ottoman--Struck at mints in Istanbul and Libya's neighboring 
regions. Approximate date: 1551 A.D. through 1750 A.D.

C. Ceramic and Clay

    1. Sculpture
    a. Architectural Elements--Baked clay (terracotta) elements used to 
decorate buildings. Elements include acroteria, antefixes, painted and 
relief plaques, revetments. Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. to 30 
B.C.
    b. Architectural Decorations--Including carved and molded brick, 
and tile wall ornaments and panels.
    c. Statuary--Large- and small-scale. Subject matter is varied and 
includes deities, human and animal figures, human body parts, and 
groups of figures in the round. May be brightly colored. These range 
from approximately 4 to 40 in. in height. Approximate date: 1st 
millennium B.C. to 3rd century A.D.
    d. Terracotta Figurines--Terracotta statues and statuettes, 
including deities, human, and animal figures, as well as groups of 
figures in the round. Late 7th century B.C. to 3rd century A.D.
    2. Vessels
    a. Neolithic Pottery--Handmade, often decorated with a lustrous 
burnish, decorated with applique[acute] and/or incision, sometimes with 
added paint. These come in a variety of shapes from simple bowls and 
vases to large storage jars. Approximate date: 10th millennium B.C. to 
3rd millennium B.C.
    b. Greek Pottery--Includes both local and imported fine and coarse 
wares and amphorae. Also imported Attic Black Figure, Red Figure and 
White Ground Pottery--these are made in a specific set of shapes (e.g., 
amphorae, kraters, hydriae, oinochoi, kylikes) decorated with black 
painted figures on a clear clay ground (Black Figure), decorative 
elements in reserve with background fired black (Red Figure), and 
multi-colored figures painted on a white ground (White Ground). 
Corinthian Pottery--Imported painted pottery made in Corinth in a 
specific range of shapes for perfume and unguents and for drinking or 
pouring liquids. The very characteristic painted and incised designs 
depict human and animal figural scenes, rows of animals, and floral 
decoration. Approximate date: 8th century B.C. to 6th century B.C.
    c. Punic and Roman Pottery--Includes fine and coarse wares, 
including terra sigillata and other red gloss wares, and cooking wares 
and mortaria, storage and shipping amphorae.
    d. Byzantine Pottery--Includes undecorated plain wares, lamps, 
utilitarian, tableware, serving and storage jars, amphorae, special 
shapes such as pilgrim flasks. Can be matte painted or glazed, 
including incised ``sgraffitto'' and stamped with elaborate polychrome 
decorations using floral, geometric, human, and animal motifs. 
Approximate date: 324 A.D. to 15th century A.D.
    e. Islamic and Ottoman Pottery--Includes plain or utilitarian wares 
as well as painted wares.
    f. Oil Lamps and Molds--Rounded bodies with a hole on the top and 
in the nozzle, handles or lugs and figural motifs (beading, rosette, 
silphium). Include glazed ceramic mosque lamps, which may have a 
straight or round bulbous body with flared top, and several branches. 
Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    3. Objects of Daily Use--Including game pieces, loom weights, toys, 
and lamps.

D. Glass, Faience, and Semi-Precious Stone

    1. Architectural Elements--Mosaics and glass windows.
    2. Vessels--Shapes include small jars, bowls, animal shaped, 
goblet, spherical, candle holders, perfume jars (unguentaria), and 
mosque lamps. Those from prehistory and ancient history may be engraved 
and/or colorless or blue, green or orange, while those from the Islamic 
Period may include animal, floral, and/or geometric motifs. Approximate 
date: 1st millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    3. Beads--Globular and relief beads. Approximate date: 1st 
millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    4. Mosque Lamps--May have a straight or round bulbous body with 
flared top, and several branches. Approximate date: 642 A.D. to 1750 
A.D.

E. Mosaic

    1. Floor Mosaics--Including landscapes, scenes of deities, humans, 
or animals, and activities such as hunting and fishing. There may also 
be vegetative, floral, or geometric motifs and imitations of stone. 
Often have religious imagery. They are made from stone cut into small 
bits (tesserae) and laid into a plaster matrix. Approximate date: 5th 
century B.C. to 4th century A.D.
    2. Wall and Ceiling Mosaics--Generally portray similar motifs as 
seen in floor mosaics. Similar technique to floor mosaics, but may 
include tesserae of both stone and glass. Approximate

[[Page 11391]]

date: 5th century B.C. to 4th century A.D.

F. Painting

    1. Rock Art--Painted and incised drawings on natural rock surfaces. 
There may be human, animal, geometric and/or floral motifs. Include 
fragments. Approximate date: 12,000 B.C. to 100 A.D.
    2. Wall Painting--With figurative (deities, humans, animals), 
floral, and/or geometric motifs, as well as funerary scenes. These are 
painted on stone, mud plaster, lime plaster (wet--buon fresco--and 
dry--secco fresco), sometimes to imitate marble. May be on domestic or 
public walls as well as in tombs. Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. 
to 1551 A.D.

G. Plaster

    Stucco reliefs, plaques, stelae, and inlays or other architectural 
decoration in stucco.

H. Textiles, Basketry, and Rope

    1. Textiles--Linen cloth was used in Greco-Roman times for mummy 
wrapping, shrouds, garments, and sails. Islamic textiles in linen and 
wool, including garments and hangings.
    2. Basketry--Plant fibers were used to make baskets and containers 
in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as sandals and mats.
    3. Rope--Rope and string were used for a great variety of purposes, 
including binding, lifting water for irrigation, fishing nets, 
measuring, and stringing beads for jewelry and garments.

I. Bone, Ivory, Shell, and Other Organics

    1. Small Statuary and Figurines--Subject matter includes human, 
animal, and hybrid figures, and parts thereof as well as groups of 
figures in the round. These range from approximately 4 to 40 in. in 
height. Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    2. Reliefs, Plaques, Stelae, and Inlays--Carved and sculpted. May 
have figurative, floral and/or geometric motifs.
    3. Personal Ornaments and Objects of Daily Use--In bone, ivory, and 
spondylus shell. Types include amulets, combs, pins, spoons, small 
containers, bracelets, buckles, and beads. Approximate date: 1st 
millennium B.C. to 15th century A.D.
    4. Seals and Stamps--Small devices with at least one side engraved 
with a design for stamping or sealing; they can be discoid, cuboid, 
conoid, or in the shape of animals or fantastic creatures (e.g., a 
scarab). Approximate date: 1st millennium B.C. to 2nd millennium B.C.
    5. Luxury Objects--Ivory, bone, and shell were used either alone or 
as inlays in luxury objects including furniture, chests and boxes, 
writing and painting equipment, musical instruments, games, cosmetic 
containers, combs, jewelry, amulets, seals, and vessels made of ostrich 
egg shell.

J. Wood

    Items such as tablets (tabulae), sometimes pierced with holes on 
the borders and with text written in ink on one or both faces, 
typically small in size (4 to 12 in. in length), recording sales of 
property (such as slaves, animals, grain) and other legal documents 
such as testaments. Approximate date: late 2nd to 4th centuries A.D.

II. Ottoman Ethnological Material

A. Stone

    1. Architectural Elements--The most common stones are marble, 
limestone, and sandstone. From sites such as forts, palaces, mosques, 
shrines, tombs, and monuments, including doors, door frames, window 
fittings, columns, capitals, bases, lintels, jambs, friezes, pilasters, 
engaged columns, altars, mihrabs (prayer niches), screens, fountains, 
mosaics, inlays, and blocks from walls, floors, and ceilings. Often 
decorated in relief with religious motifs.
    2. Architectural and Non-architectural Relief Sculpture--In marble, 
limestone, and sandstone. Types include carved slabs with religious, 
figural, floral, or geometric motifs, as well as plaques and stelae, 
sometimes inscribed.
    3. Statuary--Primarily in marble, but also in limestone and 
sandstone. Large- and small-scale, such as human (including historical 
portraits or busts) and animal figures.
    4. Sepulchers--In marble, limestone, and other kinds of stone. 
Types of burial containers include sarcophagi, caskets, coffins, and 
chest urns. May be plain or have figural, geometric, or floral motifs 
painted on them, be carved in relief, and/or have decorative moldings.
    5. Inscriptions, Memorial Stones, and Tombstones--Primarily in 
marble, most frequently engraved with Arabic script.
    6. Vessels and Containers--Include stone lamps and containers such 
as those used in religious services, as well as smaller funerary urns.

B. Metal

    1. Architectural Elements--Primarily copper, brass, lead, and 
alloys. From sites such as forts, palaces, mosques, shrines, tombs, and 
monuments, including doors, door fixtures, other lathes, chandeliers, 
screens, and sheets to protect domes.
    2. Architectural and Non-architectural Relief Sculpture--Primarily 
bronze and brass. Includes appliques, plaques, and stelae. Often with 
religious, figural, floral, or geometric motifs. May have inscriptions 
in Arabic.
    3. Vessels and Containers--In brass, copper, silver, or gold, 
plain, engraved, or hammered. Types include jugs, pitchers, plates, 
cups, lamps, and containers used for religious services (like Qur'an 
boxes). Often engraved or otherwise decorated.
    4. Jewelry and Personal Adornments--In a wide variety of metals 
such as iron, brass, copper, silver, and gold. Includes rings and ring 
seals, head ornaments, earrings, pendants, amulets, bracelets, 
talismans, and belt buckles. May be adorned with inlaid beads, 
gemstones, and leather.
    5. Weapons and Armor--Often in iron or steel. Includes daggers, 
swords, saifs, scimitars, other blades, with or without sheaths, as 
well as spears, firearms, and cannons. Ottoman types may be inlaid with 
gemstones, embellished with silver or gold, or engraved with floral or 
geometric motifs and inscriptions. Grips or hilts may be made of metal, 
wood, or even semi-precious stones such as agate, and bound with 
leather. Armor consisting of small metal scales, originally sewn to a 
backing of cloth or leather, and augmented by helmets, body armor, 
shields, and horse armor.
    6. Ceremonial Paraphernalia--Including boxes (such as Qur'an 
boxes), plaques, pendants, candelabra, stamp and seal rings.
    7. Musical Instruments--In a wide variety of metals. Includes 
cymbals and trumpets.

C. Ceramic and Clay

    1. Architectural Decorations--Including carved and molded brick, 
and engraved and/or painted tile wall ornaments and panels, sometimes 
with Arabic script. May be from forts, palaces, mosques, shrines, 
tombs, or monuments.
    2. Vessels and Containers--Includes glazed, molded, and painted 
ceramics. Types include boxes, plates, lamps, jars, and flasks. May be 
plain or decorated with floral or geometric patterns, or Arabic script, 
primarily using blue, green, brown, black, or yellow colors.

D. Wood

    1. Architectural Elements--From sites such as forts, palaces, 
mosques, shrines, tombs, monuments, and madrassas, including doors, 
door fixtures, panels, beams, balconies, stages, screens, ceilings, and 
tent posts. Types include doors, door frames, windows, window

[[Page 11392]]

frames, walls, panels, beams, ceilings, and balconies. May be decorated 
with religious, geometric or floral motifs or Arabic script.
    2. Architectural and Non-architectural Relief Sculpture--Carved and 
inlaid wood panels, rooms, beams, balconies, stages, panels, ceilings, 
and doors, frequently decorated with religious, floral, or geometric 
motifs. May have script in Arabic or other languages.
    3. Qur'an Boxes--May be carved and inlaid, with decorations in 
religious, floral, or geometric motifs, or Arabic script.
    4. Study Tablets--Arabic inscribed training boards for teaching the 
Qur'an.

E. Bone and Ivory

    1. Ceremonial Paraphernalia--Types include boxes, reliquaries (and 
their contents), plaques, pendants, candelabra, stamp and seal rings.
    2. Inlays--For religious decorative and architectural elements.

F. Glass

    Vessels and containers in glass from mosques, shrines, tombs, and 
monuments, including glass and enamel mosque lamps and ritual vessels.

G. Textiles

    In linen, silk, and wool. Religious textiles and fragments from 
mosques, shrines, tombs, and monuments, including garments, hangings, 
prayer rugs, and shrine covers.

H. Leather and Parchment

    1. Books and Manuscripts--Either as sheets or bound volumes. Text 
is often written on vellum or other parchment (cattle, sheep, goat, or 
camel) and then gathered in leather bindings. Paper may also be used. 
Types include the Qur'an and other Islamic books and manuscripts, often 
written in brown ink, and then further embellished with colorful floral 
or geometric motifs.
    2. Musical Instruments--Leather drums of various sizes (e.g., 
bendir drums used in Sufi rituals, wedding processions and Mal'uf 
performances).

I. Painting and Drawing

    Ottoman Period paintings may depict courtly themes (e.g., rulers, 
musicians, riders on horses) and city views, among other topics.

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 Order 12866

    CBP has determined that this document is not a regulation or rule 
subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12866 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.

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

List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 12

    Cultural exchange programs, Cultural property, Foreign Relations, 
Freight, Imports, Prohibited or restricted importations, and Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements.

Amendment to the 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, amend the table in paragraph (a) by revising the 
entry for Libya to read as follows:


Sec.  12.104g   Specific items or categories designated by agreements 
or emergency actions.

    (a) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               State party                             Cultural property                     Decision No.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Libya...................................  Archaeological material and ethnological    CBP Dec. 23-03.
                                           material from Libya.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

Robert F. Altneu,
Director, Regulations & Disclosure Law Division, Regulations & Rulings, 
Office of Trade U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    Approved:

[[Page 11393]]

Thomas C. West, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy.
[FR Doc. 2023-03727 Filed 2-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P