[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6466-6468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3415]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

14 CFR Part 1217

RIN 2700-AC12


Duty-Free Entry of Space Articles

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NASA is revising 14 CFR part 1217 to reflect the current 
import authority for the Agency, as proclaimed by the President on 
March 23, 1995, and to streamline and clarify NASA's internal 
procedures for the implementation of this authority.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John F. Hall, Jr., Senior Attorney (Commercial), 202-358-2432.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 23, 1995, the President issued 
Proclamation 6780 (60 FR 15845), which included an extension and 
expansion of NASA's authority with respect to duty-free imports of 
articles for use by NASA and for the implementation of its 
international programs. NASA's previous duty-free certification 
authority expired by operation of law on December 31, 1994.
    This final rule revises NASA's duty-free import regulation, found 
in 14 CFR part 1271, to reflect the broader duty-free import authority 
promulgated by the President, and additionally streamlines and 
clarifies the internal Agency procedures for implementation of this 
authority. In accordance with U.S. note 1 subchapter VIII of chapter 
98, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), as revised 
by Proclamation 6780, only imports which are procurements for NASA will 
be subject to customs entry procedures; however, all imports for NASA's 
domestic and international programs, including procurements, may be 
certified for duty-free treatment. This rule also permits the issuance 
of duty-free import certificates by designated officials at NASA Field 
Centers.
    Since this action is administrative in nature and involves Agency 
policy management procedures, no public comment period is required.
    I certify that this action is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 1217

    Customs duties and inspection, Space transportation and 
exploration.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 14 CFR part 1217 is 
revised to read as follows:

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PART 1217--DUTY-FREE ENTRY OF SPACE ARTICLES

Sec.
1217.100  Scope.
1217.101  Applicability.
1217.102  Background.
1217.103  Authority to certify.
1217.104  Certification forms.
1217.105  Procedures.
1217.106  Articles brought into the United States by NASA from 
space.

    Authority: Sections 101 and 103 of Pub. L. 103-465, 108 Stat. 
4814 and 4819; Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 1995, 60 FR 15845 
(March 27, 1995).


Sec. 1217.100  Scope.

    This part sets forth policy and procedures with respect to the use 
of the NASA's authority to certify to the U.S. Commissioner of Customs 
duty-free entry of articles into the United States for the use of NASA 
or for implementation of a NASA international program, including 
articles that will be launched into space, spare parts for such 
articles, ground support equipment, or uniquely associated equipment 
for use in connection with a NASA international program or launch 
service agreement. This Part also sets forth NASA's procedures with 
respect to the use of its authority to bring foreign-owned articles and 
articles from space into the customs territory of the United States, 
and describes the nonimport status of such articles.


Sec. 1217.101  Applicability.

    This part applies to qualifying articles entered or withdrawn from 
warehouse for consumption in the customs territory of the United 
States, and to articles brought into the customs territory of the 
United States by NASA from space or from foreign country as part of the 
NASA international program.


Sec. 1217.102  Background.

    In order to encourage and facilitate the use of NASA's launch 
services for the exploration and use of space, section 116 of Public 
Law 97-446 provided for the duty-free entry into the United States of 
certain articles imported by NASA for its space-related activities or 
articles imported by another person or entity for the purpose of 
meeting its obligations under a launch services agreement with NASA. 
Such articles were certified by NASA to the Commissioner of Customs for 
duty-free entry to be launched into space or space parts or necessary 
and uniquely associated support equipment for use in connection with a 
launch into space. This exemption from duty was provided for in 
Subheading 9808.00.80, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202). Also, HTSUS, Chapter VIII, U.S. note 1, 
pursuant to the same law, provided that return of articles by NASA from 
space to the United States would not be considered an importation, and 
similarly not be subject to a duty.
    As a result of the Uruguay Round agreements of the 1994 General 
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, this authority was revised and expanded 
in scope. It now provides that imports of articles for NASA's use and 
articles imported to implement NASA's international programs, including 
articles to be launched into space, parts thereof, ground support 
equipment, and uniquely associated equipment for use in connection with 
NASA's international programs and launch service agreements would be 
eligible for duty-free customs entry upon certification by NASA to the 
Commissioner of Customs. The revised authorities also provided, in U.S. 
note 1 to subchapter VIII of chapter 98 of the HTSUS, that articles 
brought into the customs territory of the United States by NASA from 
space or from a foreign country as part of a NASA's international 
programs would not be considered imports or subject to customs entry 
requirements.


Sec. 1217.103  Authority to certify.

    (a) The following NASA officials, their deputies, and designees 
within their respective organizations are authorized, under the 
conditions described herein, to make the certification to the 
Commissioner of Customs required for the duty-free entry of space 
articles pursuant to subheading HTSUS 9808.00.80.
    (1) The NASA Associate Administrator for Procurement is authorized 
to issue the certification for articles imported into the United States 
which are procured by NASA or by other U.S. Government agencies, or by 
U.S. Government contractors or subcontractors when title to the 
articles is or will be vested in the U.S. Government pursuant to the 
terms of the contract or subcontract. Requests for certification should 
be sent to: Office of Procurement, Attn: HK/Director, Contract 
Management Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
Washington, DC 20546.
    (2) The NASA Associate Administrator for External Relations is 
authorized to issue the certification for articles imported into the 
United States pursuant to international agreements. Requests for 
certification should be sent to: Office of External Relations, Attn: 
ID/Manager, International Technology Transfer Policy, National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546.
    (3) The NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight is authorized 
to issue the certification for articles imported into the United States 
by persons or entities under agreements other than those identified in 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, including launch services 
agreements. Requests for certification should be sent to: Office of 
Space Flight, Attn: M/Director, Space Operations Utilization, National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546.
    (b) Each certification by the officials identified in paragraphs 
(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this section shall receive the 
concurrence of the Office of the General Counsel.
    (c) Subject to procedures established by the officials identified 
in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this section, as 
appropriate, the Center Procurement Officer or a Program Manager at a 
NASA Installation who is designated by an official identified in 
paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this section may make the 
certification to the Commissioner of Customs required for the duty-free 
entry of space articles pursuant to subheading HTSUS 9808.00.80. Such 
procedures shall include the following requirements:
    (1) All such certifications by designated Procurement Officers or 
Program Managers shall receive the concurrence of the Chief Counsel of 
the issuing NASA Installation; and
    (2) All such certifications by designated Procurement Officers or 
Program Managers shall be promptly reported to an official identified 
in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this section, as 
appropriate.


Sec. 1217.104  Certification forms.

    To the extent an authorized NASA official approves a request for 
certification, that official shall sign a certificate in the following 
form:
    (a) For articles procured by NASA, a Customs Service Form CF 7501 
(Entry Summary) shall be completed, and the following certification 
shall be used:

Articles for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Item 9808.00.80, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

Program:---------------------------------------------------------------

    I hereby certify that the articles identified in [attached 
invoice] are being imported for the use of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration (NASA) in accordance with 9808.00.80, 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

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    (b) For articles imported by NASA to implement international 
programs of NASA to which NASA will take title, or which remain the 
property of foreign entities under such programs, no entry is required 
pursuant to U.S. note 1 to HTSUS subchapter VIII of chapter 98. For 
such articles, the following certification shall be used:

Articles for Use in an International Program of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration

Item 9808.00.80, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

Program:---------------------------------------------------------------

Foreign Owner(s) (if applicable):--------------------------------------

    In accordance with subheading 9808.00.80 and U.S. note 1 to 
subchapter VIII of chapter 98, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States, I hereby certify that the above-described shipment is 
being brought into the customs territory of the United States as 
part of an international program of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration (NASA). No CF 7501 entry is required for this 
shipment. All articles contained in this shipment are, and shall 
remain, the property of NASA or of the foreign entities identified 
above. Except for articles consumed in the execution of the above-
described Program, none of these articles will be made available for 
sale or other disposition to persons or institutions not directly 
involved in the Program identified above.

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    (c) A blanket certificate for a series of imports under a specific 
NASA international program or procurement is authorized but shall 
require written verification by a NASA official designated by a 
Director of a receiving NASA Installation that the articles received 
meet the conditions of the certificate. The blanket certificate shall 
be in the form of the certifications set forth in paragraphs (a) or (b) 
of this section, as appropriate, but shall include the following 
paragraph at the end thereof:

    Before this certification is used to obtain duty-free entry of 
these articles, a cognizant NASA official at the receiving NASA 
Installation, who is designated by the Installation Director, shall 
verify in writing that specifically identified articles to be 
entered on a particular date are the articles described in this 
certificate or its attachments. This verification and this 
certification shall be presented to the U.S. Customs Service at the 
time entry for the particular articles is sought.

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    With respect to articles represented to be: procurements by NASA; 
or imports to implement international programs of NASA to which NASA 
will take title, or foreign-owned articles for use in a NASA 
international program, the NASA official issuing the blanket 
certificate shall review the proposed articles and approve their 
eligibility for duty-free entry. A description of these articles shall 
either be referred to in the blanket certificate and provided in Form 
CF 7501 (Entry Summary) for procurements or attached to the certificate 
for imports to implement NASA international programs, as appropriate.


Sec. 1217.105  Procedures.

    (a) Requests for certification shall be forwarded to an appropriate 
NASA official or designee as provided for in Sec. 1217.103 of this 
part.
    (b) Each request for certification shall be accompanied by:
    (1) A proposed certificate as provided for in Sec. 1217.104 of this 
part;
    (2) The information and documentation required by 19 CFR 10.102(a), 
including invoice documentation or a description of covered articles; 
and
    (3) The anticipated date of entry of entry and port of entry for 
each article. If the article is to be transported in bond from the port 
of arrival to another port of entry in the United States, identify both 
ports.
    (c) The signed certificate and its attachment(s) will be forwarded 
to the NASA Installation responsible for duty-free entry of the 
materials, unless issued at such Installation by an authorized official 
in accordance with Sec. 1217.103(c) of this part. These documents shall 
be presented to an appropriated Customs official at the port(s) of 
entry. The procedures specified in 19 CFR 10.102 will be followed by 
the NASA Installation in obtaining duty-free entry at the Customs 
port(s) of entry. The NASA Installation should ensure that, at the time 
the articles are to be released after Customs entry, the custody of the 
imported articles is transferred directly from the carrier or from the 
U.S. Customs Service to the NASA Installation, its agent, or the launch 
service customer in the case of a Launch and Associated Services 
Agreement.
    (d) If articles procured under contract by NASA are imported prior 
to compliance with these procedures and it is essential that the 
articles be released from Customs custody prior to such compliance, the 
procedures outlined in 19 CFR 10.101 may be followed by cognizant NASA 
officials to secure the release of the articles from Customs custody. 
To the extent applicable, the procedures in Sec. 1217.105 of this part 
shall be followed when time permits to obtain duty-free entry for the 
articles released from Customs custody.


Sec. 1217.106  Articles brought into the United States by NASA from 
space.

    Pursuant to U.S. note 1 subchapter VIII of chapter 98, HTSUS, 
articles brought into the customs territory of the United States by 
NASA from space shall not be considered an importation, and no 
certification or entry of such materials through U.S. Customs shall be 
required. This provision is applicable to articles brought to the U.S. 
from space whether or not the articles were launched into space aboard 
a NASA vehicle.
Daniel S. Goldin,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-3415 Filed 2-11-97; 8:45 am]
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