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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 185 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50053-50054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25341]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

Expansion of National Customs Automation Program Test Regarding 
Electronic Protest Filing

AGENCY: Customs Service, Treasury.

ACTION: General notice; expansion of program.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces Customs plan to expand its program 
regarding the electronic filing of protests to encourage new 
participants. Also, public comments concerning any aspect of the test 
are solicited.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The testing period, which was scheduled to end on April 
30, 1997, is now extended through December of 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding this notice or any aspect of this 
test should be addressed to the Chief, Commercial Compliance Branch, 
U.S. Customs Service, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 1313, 
Washington, DC 20229-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For operational or policy issues: Neil 
Shannon, Chief, Commercial Compliance Branch, (202) 927-0300.
    For protest system or automation issues: Steve Linnemann, Office of 
Information and Technology, (202) 927-0436.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On January 30, 1996, Customs published in the Federal Register (61 
FR 3086) a general notice announcing, as part of the National Customs 
Automation Program (NCAP), a test regarding the electronic filing of 
protests. The test began on May 1, 1996, was to last six months, but 
was extended through April of 1997, when a second general notice was 
published on December 31, 1996, in the Federal Register (61 FR 69133). 
The test allows the following actions to be filed and tracked 
electronically:
    (1) Protests against Customs decisions under 19 U.S.C. 1514
    (2) Claims for refunds of duties deposited or for corrections of 
errors requiring reliquidation pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1520 (c) and (d); 
and
    (3) Interventions in an importer's protest by an exporter or 
producer of merchandise from a country that is a party to the North 
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) under Sec. 181.115 of the Customs 
Regulations (19 CFR 181.115).
    Participation in this NCAP component is available to all interested 
parties. If you already are an ABI participant, you can take advantage 
of electronic protest immediately by contacting your local Customs 
Client Representative. If you are not an ABI participant, write a 
letter on your company's letterhead indicating your interest in 
electronic protest filing. The information provided should include your 
company's name, address, telephone number, and the name of a contact 
person. Send the letter to: U.S. Customs Service, Office of Information 
and Technology, User Support Services Division, Trade Support, Room 
2419, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20229.

Expansion of Test

    This notice informs the public that Customs is expanding the 
program for the electronic filing of protests to encourage new 
participants. Also, public comments concerning any aspect of the test 
are solicited.
    Customs anticipates that this NCAP component will be available to 
all interested parties by January of 1998.

[[Page 50054]]

    Dated: September 19, 1997.
Robert S. Trotter,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-25341 Filed 9-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P
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