[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66719-66720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33172]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service


Extension of National Customs Automation Program Test Regarding 
Presentation of Electronic Cargo Declarations

AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces Customs plan to extend the test program 
to allow the electronic submission of certain inward vessel manifest 
information with one modification and invites additional members of the 
vessel carrier community to apply for participation in the test. The 
test was originally announced in the Federal Register on September 10, 
1996, and began on February 11, 1997. Public comments are invited on 
any aspect of the test as set forth in the September 10, 1996, 
announcement as modified by today's announcement.

DATES: To apply for participation in the test, parties must submit the 
necessary information as outlined in this notice to Customs by January 
20, 1998. Comments concerning the test must be received on or before 
January 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding this notice and letters 
requesting participation in the test program should be addressed to 
Cargo Release Processing, U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Room 5.2b, Washington, D.C. 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For operational or policy matters: 
William Scopa (202) 927-3112.
    For systems or automation matters: Kim Santos (202) 927-0651.
    For legal matters: Larry L. Burton (202) 927-1287.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On September 10, 1996, Customs published a document in the Federal 
Register (61 FR 47782) announcing a plan to conduct a test program to 
allow the electronic submission of certain inward vessel manifest 
information. The notice described the test, informed interested members 
of the public of the eligibility requirements for participation in the 
test and requested comments concerning any aspect of the test. The 
announcement stated that the test would commence no sooner than 
December 9, 1996, and would last for approximately one year; the actual 
commencement date of the test was February 11, 1997.
    In today's document Customs is announcing that the test will be 
extended and that there is an additional opportunity for members of the 
vessel carrier community to request participation in the test. The test 
will be extended for at least another year.

Test Modification Regarding Manifesting of Empty Containers

    The parameters of the original test are spelled out in the 
September 10, 1996, Federal Register notice. The extension of the test 
will operate under the same parameters with one modification. The 
manifesting of empty containers will be treated differently than the 
original test notice states.
    Pursuant to the modified procedures, empty containers shall be 
manifested either by transmitting in the Automated Manifest System 
(AMS) a list of the empty containers on board the vessel by port of 
discharge, or by providing the same list on a CF 1302 Cargo 
Declaration. The manifesting of empty containers is subject to all 
other current regulatory requirements.

Foreign Freight Remaining on Board

    Because many comments have been received concerning one of the test 
requirements set forth in the September 10 notice, Customs is 
reiterating in this document that requirement which reads as follows:

    In the case of Foreign Freight Remaining On Board (FROB) a 
vessel entering the United States and not intended for discharge in 
this country, test participants are required to transmit all bill of 
lading cargo data pertaining to such shipments at the first U.S. 
port of arrival. Such bills of lading shall be automatically 
released in AMS upon transmission of the data unless placed on hold 
with the test participant by Customs through electronic or other 
means. FROB bill of lading cargo data is subject to all of the same 
requirements and standards set forth in this document (the September 
10, 1996 notice) which apply to other bill of lading cargo data.

    Comments have been received regarding this requirement requesting 
that FROB cargo on a vessel entering the United States from Canada not 
have to be transmitted electronically and not be subject to the same 
data element requirements as required for discharge cargo. Further, the 
commenters have requested that the data regarding FROB cargo not have 
to be transmitted in English. These changes are requested because the 
commenters contend that the voyage from Canada is too short to provide 
sufficient time for the data to be ready for submission at the first 
U.S. port of arrival and because foreign subsidiaries do not provide 
the required data.

[[Page 66720]]

    Customs is maintaining the requirements for FROB cargo as set forth 
in the September 10, 1996, notice. Customs cannot accommodate the 
requested changes because Customs considers all cargo on board a vessel 
as potentially being used to facilitate the smuggling of narcotics and 
other contraband into the United States. Expressly stated, full bill of 
lading data is required for FROB cargo originating in Canada or from 
any other country and the data must be transmitted in English by the 
time of arrival.

Application Process

    Parties desiring to participate in this test program must submit a 
written statement to the United States Customs Service, Cargo Release 
Processing, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.2b, Washington, DC 
20229-0002, on or before 30 days from the date of publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register. The document, signed by an authorized 
official of the carrier, must state that the carrier wishes to 
voluntarily participate in the test and that the carrier meets all 
qualifications as outlined in the September 10, 1996, Federal Register 
notice as modified by today's document. The statement must acknowledge 
that all submissions made to Customs as part of the test are required 
to be accomplished electronically. The document must also designate a 
national point of contact and telephone number, and shall also identify 
local contacts and telephone numbers for the use of Customs personnel 
at individual ports.

Basis for Participant Selection

    Eligible importing carriers will be considered for participation in 
the test. Customs is looking for a variety of circumstances and 
participants in the test. Customs stresses that those not selected for 
participation are invited to comment on the test and to participate in 
its evaluation.
    Selection will be based on the depth of an applicant's electronic 
interface capabilities and the ability to meet all the user 
requirements in the CAMIR and in this notice. Participants selected 
will be notified by means of the Customs Electronic Bulletin Board.

    Dated: December 11, 1997.
Robert S. Trotter,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-33172 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P