27818 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1205

[CN–98–002]

1998 Amendment to Cotton Board

Rules and Regulations Adjusting

Supplemental Assessment on Imports

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing

Service (AMS) is amending the Cotton

Board Rules and Regulations by

lowering the value assigned to imported

cotton for the purpose of calculating

supplemental assessments collected for

use by the Cotton Research and

Promotion Program. This action is

required by this regulation on an annual

basis to ensure that the assessments

collected on imported cotton and the

cotton content of imported products

remain similar to those paid on

domestically produced cotton.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 22, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Norma McDill, (202) 720–2145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

This rule has been determined to be

‘‘not significant’’ for purposes of

Executive Order 12866, and, therefore,

has not been reviewed by the Office of

Management and Budget.

Executive Order 12988

This rule has been reviewed under

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice

Reform. It is not intended to have

retroactive effect. This rule would not

preempt any state or local laws,

regulations, or policies, unless they

present an irreconcilable conflict with

this rule.

The Cotton Research and Promotion

Act provides that administrative

proceedings must be exhausted before

parties may file suit in court. Under

Section 12 of the Act, any person

subject to an order may file with the

Secretary a petition stating that the

order, any provision of the plan, or any

obligation imposed in connection with

the order is not in accordance with law

and requesting a modification of the

order or to be exempted therefrom. Such

person is afforded the opportunity for a

hearing on the petition. After the

hearing, the Secretary would rule on the

petition. The Act provides that the

District Court of the United States in

any district in which the person is an

inhabitant, or has his principal place of

business, has jurisdiction to review the

Secretary’s ruling, provided a complaint

is filed within 20 days from the date of

the entry of the ruling.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Pursuant to requirements set forth in

the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5

U.S.C. 601 et seq.) AMS has considered

the economic impact of this action on

small entities and has determined that

its implementation will not have a

significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small businesses.

There are an estimated 16,000

importers who are presently subject to

rules and regulations issued pursuant to

the Cotton Research and Promotion

Order. This rule will affect importers of

cotton and cotton-containing products.

The majority of these importers are

small businesses under the criteria

established by the Small Business

Administration. This rule will lower the

assessments paid by the importers

under the Cotton Research and

Promotion Order. Even though the

assessment would be lowered, the

decrease is small and will not

significantly affect small businesses. The current assessment on imported

cotton is $0.012412 per kilogram of

imported cotton. The amended

assessment is $0.011850, a decrease of

$0.000562 or a 4.5 percent decrease

from the current assessment. From

January through December 1997

approximately $20 million was

collected at the $0.012412 per kilogram

rate. Should the volume of cotton

products imported into the U.S. remain

at the same level in 1998, one could

expect the decreased assessment to

generate $19.1 million or a 4.5 percent

decrease from 1997.

Paperwork Reduction

In compliance with Office of

Management and Budget (OMB)

regulations (5 CFR Part 1320) which

implement the Paperwork Reduction

Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the

information collection requirements

contained in the regulation to be

amended have been previously

approved by OMB and were assigned

control number 0581–0093.

Background

The Cotton Research and Promotion

Act Amendments of 1990 enacted by

Congress under Subtitle G of Title XIX

of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation

and Trade Act of 1990 on November 28,

1990, contained two provisions that

authorized changes in the funding

procedures for the Cotton Research and

Promotion Program. These provisions are: (1) The

assessment of imported cotton and

cotton products; and (2) termination of

the right of cotton producers to demand

a refund of assessments.

An amended Cotton Research and

Promotion Order was approved by

producers and importers voting in a

referendum held July 17–26, 1991 and

the amended Order was published in

the Federal Register on December 10,

1991, (56 FR 64470). Proposed rules

implementing the amended Order were

published in the Federal Register on

December 17, 1991, (56 FR 65450).

Implementing rules were published on

July 1 and 2, 1992, (57 FR 29181) and

(57 FR 29431), respectively.

This rule will decrease the value

assigned to imported cotton in the

Cotton Board Rules and Regulations (7

CFR 1205.510 (b)(2)). This value is used

to calculate supplemental assessments

on imported cotton and the cotton

content of imported products.

Supplemental assessments are the

second part of a two-part assessment.

The first part of the assessment is levied

on the weight of cotton produced or

imported at a rate of $1 per bale of

cotton which is equivalent to 500

pounds or $1 per 226.8 kilograms of

cotton.

Supplemental assessments are levied

at a rate of five-tenths of one percent of

the value of domestically produced

cotton, imported cotton, and the cotton

content of imported products. The

agency has adopted the practice of

assigning the calendar year average

price received by U.S. farmers for

Upland cotton to represent the value of

imported cotton. This is done so that the

assessment on domestically produced

cotton and the assessment on imported

cotton and the cotton content of

imported products remain similar. The

source for the average price statistic is

‘‘Agricultural Prices’’, a publication of

the National Agricultural Statistics

Service (NASS) of the Department of

Agriculture. Use of the average price

figure in the calculation of

supplemental assessments on imported

cotton and the cotton content of

imported products yields an assessment

that approximates assessments paid on

domestically produced cotton in the

prior calendar year.

The current value of imported cotton

as published in the Federal Register (62

FR 46412) on September 2, 1997, for the

purpose of calculating supplemental

assessments on imported cotton is

$1.6005 per kilogram. This number was

calculated using the annual average

price received by farmers for Upland

cotton during the calendar year 1996

which was $0.726 per pound and

multiplying by the conversion factor
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 27819

2.2046. Using the Average Price

Received by U.S. Farmers for Upland

Cotton for the calendar year 1997,

which is $0.675 per pound, the new

value of imported cotton is $1.4881 per

kilogram. The amended value is $0.1124

per kilogram less than the previous

value.

An example of the complete

assessment formula and how the various

figures are obtained is as follows:

One bale is equal to 500 pounds.

One kilogram equals 2.2046 pounds.

One pound equals 0.453597 kilograms.

One Dollar Per Bale Assessment

Converted to Kilograms

A 500 pound bale equals 226.8 kg. (500

× .453597).

$1 per bale assessment equals $0.002000

per pound (1÷500)

or $0.004409 per kg. (1÷226.8).

Supplemental Assessment of 5⁄10 of One

Percent of the Value of the Cotton

Converted to Kilograms

The 1997 calendar year average price

received by producers for Upland

cotton is $0.675 per pound or $1.4881

per kg. (0.675 × 2.2046)=1.4881.

Five tenths of one percent of the average

price in kg. equals $0.007441 per kg.

(1.4881 × .005).

Total Assessment

The total assessment per kilogram of

raw cotton is obtained by adding the $1

per bale equivalent assessment of

$0.004409 per kg. and the supplemental

assessment $0.007441 per kg. which

equals $0.011850 per kg.

The current assessment on imported

cotton is $0.012412 per kilogram of

imported cotton. The amended

assessment is $0.011850, a decrease of

$0.000562 per kilogram. This decrease

reflects the decrease in the Average

Price of Upland Cotton Received by U.S.

Farmers during the period January

through December 1997.

Since the value of cotton is the basis

of the supplemental assessment

calculation and the figures shown in the

right hand column of the Import

Assessment Table 1205.510(b)(3) are a

result of such a calculation, the figures

in this table have been revised. These

figures indicate the total assessment per

kilogram due for each Harmonized

Tariff Schedule (HTS) number subject to

assessment.

Eight HTS numbers subject to

assessment pursuant to this regulation

and found in the assessment table have

been changed. In order to maintain

consistency between the HTS and the

assessment table, the changes to these

eight numbers have been incorporated

into the assessment table. The last two

digits of these numbers were changed to

provide for statistical reporting

purposes and involve no physical

change to the products they represent.

Therefore, the assessment rate is not

affected by the change. The assessment

rate for each of the eight numbers has

been applied to each of the new

replacement numbers in the assessment

table. The following table represents the

changes:

Old No. New No. Conversion

factor

Assessment

cents/kg.

5208523040 .................................................................................................................................. 5208523045 1.1455 1.3574

5208524040 .................................................................................................................................. 5208524045 1.1455 1.3574

5208524060 .................................................................................................................................. 5208524065 1.1455 1.3574

5208592020 .................................................................................................................................. 5208592025 1.1455 1.3574

5208592090 .................................................................................................................................. 5208592095 1.1455 1.3574

5209516030 .................................................................................................................................. 5209516035 1.1455 1.3574

5209590020 .................................................................................................................................. 5209590025 1.1455 1.3574

5211590020 .................................................................................................................................. 5211590025 0.6873 0.8145

A proposed rule with a request for

comments was published in the Federal

Register (63 FR 15336) on March 31,

1998. No comments were received

during the comment period (March 31

through April 30, 1998).

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1205

Advertising, Agricultural research,

Cotton, Marketing agreements,

Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.

For the reasons set forth in the

preamble, 7 CFR Part 1205 is amended

as follows:

PART 1205—COTTON RESEARCH

AND PROMOTION

1. The authority citation for Part 1205

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101–2118.

2. In § 1205.510, paragraphs (b)(2) and

the table in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) are

revised to read as follows:

§ 1205.510 Levy of assessments.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(2) The 12-month average of monthly

average prices received by U.S. farmers

will be calculated annually. Such

average will be used as the value of

imported cotton for the purpose of

levying the supplemental assessment on

imported cotton and will be expressed

in kilograms. The value of imported

cotton for the purpose of levying this

supplemental assessment is $1.4881 per

kilogram.

(3) * * *

(ii) * * *

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

5201000500 .................. 0 1.185

5201001200 .................. 0 1.185

5201001400 .................. 0 1.185

5201001800 .................. 0 1.185

5201002200 .................. 0 1.185

5201002400 .................. 0 1.185

5201002800 .................. 0 1.185

5201003400 .................. 0 1.185

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

5201003800 .................. 0 1.185

5204110000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5204200000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205111000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205112000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205121000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205122000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205131000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205132000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205141000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205210020 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205210090 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205220020 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205220090 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205230020 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205230090 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205240020 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205240090 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205310000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205320000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205330000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205340000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205410020 .................. 1.1111 1.3167
27820 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

5205410090 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205420020 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205420090 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205440020 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5205440090 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5206120000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5206130000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5206140000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5206220000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5206230000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5206240000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5206310000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5207100000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5207900000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5208112020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208112040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208112090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208114020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208114060 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208114090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208118090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208124020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208124040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208124090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208126020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208126040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208126060 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208126090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208128020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208128090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208130000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208192020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208192090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208194020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208194090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208196020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208196090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208224040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208224090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208226020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208226060 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208228020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208230000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208292020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208292090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208294090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208296090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208298020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208312000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208321000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208323020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208323040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208323090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208324020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208324040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208325020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208330000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208392020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208392090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208394090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208396090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208398020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208412000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208416000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208418000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208421000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208423000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208424000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208425000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

5208430000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208492000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208494020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208494090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208496010 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208496090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208498090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208512000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208516060 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208518090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208523020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208523045 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208523090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208524020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208524045 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208524065 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208525020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208530000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208592025 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208592095 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208594090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5208596090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209110020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209110035 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209110090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209120020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209120040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209190020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209190040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209190060 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209190090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209210090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209220020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209220040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209290040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209290090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209313000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209316020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209316035 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209316050 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209316090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209320020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209320040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209390020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209390040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209390060 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209390080 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209390090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209413000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209416020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209416040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209420020 .................. 1.0309 1.2216

5209420040 .................. 1.0309 1.2216

5209430030 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209430050 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209490020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209490090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209516035 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209516050 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209520020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209590025 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209590040 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5209590090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5210114020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210114040 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210116020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210116040 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210116060 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210118020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

5210120000 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210192090 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210214040 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210216020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210216060 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210218020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210314020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210314040 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210316020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210318020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210414000 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210416000 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210418000 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210498090 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210514040 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210516020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210516040 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5210516060 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211110090 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211120020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211190020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211190060 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211210025 .................. 0.4165 0.4936

5211210035 .................. 0.4165 0.4936

5211210050 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211290090 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211320020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211390040 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211390060 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211490020 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211490090 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5211590025 .................. 0.6873 0.8145

5212146090 .................. 0.9164 1.0859

5212156020 .................. 0.9164 1.0859

5212216090 .................. 0.9164 1.0859

5509530030 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5509530060 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5513110020 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5513110040 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5513110060 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5513110090 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5513120000 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5513130020 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5513210020 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5513310000 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5514120020 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5516420060 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5516910060 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5516930090 .................. 0.4009 0.4751

5601210010 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5601210090 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5601300000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5602109090 .................. 0.5727 0.6786

5602290000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5602906000 .................. 0.526 0.6233

5604900000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5607902000 .................. 0.8889 1.0533

5608901000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5608902300 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5609001000 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5609004000 .................. 0.5556 0.6584

5701104000 .................. 0.0556 0.0659

5701109000 .................. 0.1111 0.1317

5701901010 .................. 1.0444 1.2376

5702109020 .................. 1.1 1.3035

5702312000 .................. 0.0778 0.0922

5702411000 .................. 0.0722 0.0856

5702412000 .................. 0.0778 0.0922

5702421000 .................. 0.0778 0.0922
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 27821

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

5702913000 .................. 0.0889 0.1053

5702991010 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5702991090 .................. 1.1111 1.3167

5703900000 .................. 0.4489 0.5319

5801210000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5801230000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5801250010 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5801250020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5801260020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5802190000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5802300030 .................. 0.5727 0.6786

5804291000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5806200010 .................. 0.3534 0.4188

5806200090 .................. 0.3534 0.4188

5806310000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

5806400000 .................. 0.4296 0.5091

5808107000 .................. 0.5727 0.6786

5808900010 .................. 0.5727 0.6786

5811002000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6001106000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6001210000 .................. 0.8591 1.018

6001220000 .................. 0.2864 0.3394

6001910010 .................. 0.8591 1.018

6001910020 .................. 0.8591 1.018

6001920020 .................. 0.2864 0.3394

6001920030 .................. 0.2864 0.3394

6001920040 .................. 0.2864 0.3394

6002203000 .................. 0.8681 1.0287

6002206000 .................. 0.2894 0.3429

6002420000 .................. 0.8681 1.0287

6002430010 .................. 0.2894 0.3429

6002430080 .................. 0.2894 0.3429

6002921000 .................. 1.1574 1.3715

6002930040 .................. 0.1157 0.1371

6002930080 .................. 0.1157 0.1371

6101200010 .................. 1.0094 1.1961

6101200020 .................. 1.0094 1.1961

6102200010 .................. 1.0094 1.1961

6102200020 .................. 1.0094 1.1961

6103421020 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6103421040 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6103421050 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6103421070 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6103431520 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6103431540 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6103431550 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6103431570 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6104220040 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6104220060 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6104320000 .................. 0.9207 1.091

6104420010 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6104420020 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6104520010 .................. 0.9312 1.1035

6104520020 .................. 0.9312 1.1035

6104622006 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6104622011 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6104622016 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6104622021 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6104622026 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6104622028 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6104622030 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6104622060 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6104632006 .................. 0.3774 0.4472

6104632011 .................. 0.3774 0.4472

6104632026 .................. 0.3774 0.4472

6104632028 .................. 0.3774 0.4472

6104632030 .................. 0.3774 0.4472

6104632060 .................. 0.3774 0.4472

6104692030 .................. 0.3858 0.4572

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

6105100010 .................. 0.985 1.1672

6105100020 .................. 0.985 1.1672

6105100030 .................. 0.985 1.1672

6105202010 .................. 0.3078 0.3647

6105202030 .................. 0.3078 0.3647

6106100010 .................. 0.985 1.1672

6106100020 .................. 0.985 1.1672

6106100030 .................. 0.985 1.1672

6106202010 .................. 0.3078 0.3647

6106202030 .................. 0.3078 0.3647

6107110010 .................. 1.1322 1.3417

6107110020 .................. 1.1322 1.3417

6107120010 .................. 0.5032 0.5963

6107210010 .................. 0.8806 1.0435

6107220015 .................. 0.3774 0.4472

6107220025 .................. 0.3774 0.4472

6107910040 .................. 1.2581 1.4908

6108210010 .................. 1.2445 1.4747

6108210020 .................. 1.2445 1.4747

6108310010 .................. 1.1201 1.3273

6108310020 .................. 1.1201 1.3273

6108320010 .................. 0.2489 0.2949

6108320015 .................. 0.2489 0.2949

6108320025 .................. 0.2489 0.2949

6108910005 .................. 1.2445 1.4747

6108910015 .................. 1.2445 1.4747

6108910025 .................. 1.2445 1.4747

6108910030 .................. 1.2445 1.4747

6108920030 .................. 0.2489 0.2949

6109100005 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100007 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100009 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100012 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100014 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100018 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100023 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100027 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100037 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100040 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100045 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100060 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100065 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109100070 .................. 0.9956 1.1798

6109901007 .................. 0.3111 0.3687

6109901009 .................. 0.3111 0.3687

6109901049 .................. 0.3111 0.3687

6109901050 .................. 0.3111 0.3687

6109901060 .................. 0.3111 0.3687

6109901065 .................. 0.3111 0.3687

6109901090 .................. 0.3111 0.3687

6110202005 .................. 1.1837 1.4027

6110202010 .................. 1.1837 1.4027

6110202015 .................. 1.1837 1.4027

6110202020 .................. 1.1837 1.4027

6110202025 .................. 1.1837 1.4027

6110202030 .................. 1.1837 1.4027

6110202035 .................. 1.1837 1.4027

6110202040 .................. 1.1574 1.3715

6110202045 .................. 1.1574 1.3715

6110202065 .................. 1.1574 1.3715

6110202075 .................. 1.1574 1.3715

6110909022 .................. 0.263 0.3117

6110909024 .................. 0.263 0.3117

6110909030 .................. 0.3946 0.4676

6110909040 .................. 0.263 0.3117

6110909042 .................. 0.263 0.3117

6111201000 .................. 1.2581 1.4908

6111202000 .................. 1.2581 1.4908

6111203000 .................. 1.0064 1.1926

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

6111205000 .................. 1.0064 1.1926

6111206010 .................. 1.0064 1.1926

6111206020 .................. 1.0064 1.1926

6111206030 .................. 1.0064 1.1926

6111206040 .................. 1.0064 1.1926

6111305020 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6111305040 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6112110050 .................. 0.7548 0.8944

6112120010 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6112120030 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6112120040 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6112120050 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6112120060 .................. 0.2516 0.2981

6112390010 .................. 1.1322 1.3417

6112490010 .................. 0.9435 1.118

6114200005 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6114200010 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6114200015 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6114200020 .................. 1.286 1.5239

6114200040 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6114200046 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6114200052 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6114200060 .................. 0.9002 1.0667

6114301010 .................. 0.2572 0.3048

6114301020 .................. 0.2572 0.3048

6114303030 .................. 0.2572 0.3048

6115198010 .................. 1.0417 1.2344

6115929000 .................. 1.0417 1.2344

6115936020 .................. 0.2315 0.2743

6116101300 .................. 0.3655 0.4331

6116101720 .................. 0.8528 1.0106

6116926420 .................. 1.0965 1.2994

6116926430 .................. 1.2183 1.4437

6116926440 .................. 1.0965 1.2994

6116928800 .................. 1.0965 1.2994

6117809510 .................. 0.9747 1.155

6117809540 .................. 0.3655 0.4331

6201121000 .................. 0.948 1.1234

6201122010 .................. 0.8953 1.0609

6201122050 .................. 0.6847 0.8114

6201122060 .................. 0.6847 0.8114

6201134030 .................. 0.2633 0.312

6201921000 .................. 0.9267 1.0981

6201921500 .................. 1.1583 1.3726

6201922010 .................. 1.0296 1.2201

6201922021 .................. 1.2871 1.5252

6201922031 .................. 1.2871 1.5252

6201922041 .................. 1.2871 1.5252

6201922051 .................. 1.0296 1.2201

6201922061 .................. 1.0296 1.2201

6201931000 .................. 0.3089 0.366

6201933511 .................. 0.2574 0.305

6201933521 .................. 0.2574 0.305

6201999060 .................. 0.2574 0.305

6202121000 .................. 0.9372 1.1106

6202122010 .................. 1.1064 1.3111

6202122025 .................. 1.3017 1.5425

6202122050 .................. 0.8461 1.0026

6202122060 .................. 0.8461 1.0026

6202134005 .................. 0.2664 0.3157

6202134020 .................. 0.333 0.3946

6202921000 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6202921500 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6202922026 .................. 1.3017 1.5425

6202922061 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6202922071 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6202931000 .................. 0.3124 0.3702

6202935011 .................. 0.2603 0.3085

6202935021 .................. 0.2603 0.3085
27822 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

6203122010 .................. 0.1302 0.1543

6203221000 .................. 1.3017 1.5425

6203322010 .................. 1.2366 1.4654

6203322040 .................. 1.2366 1.4654

6203332010 .................. 0.1302 0.1543

6203392010 .................. 1.1715 1.3882

6203399060 .................. 0.2603 0.3085

6203422010 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6203422025 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6203422050 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6203422090 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6203424005 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6203424010 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6203424015 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6203424020 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6203424025 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6203424030 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6203424035 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6203424040 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6203424045 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6203424050 .................. 0.9238 1.0947

6203424055 .................. 0.9238 1.0947

6203424060 .................. 0.9238 1.0947

6203431500 .................. 0.1245 0.1475

6203434010 .................. 0.1232 0.146

6203434020 .................. 0.1232 0.146

6203434030 .................. 0.1232 0.146

6203434040 .................. 0.1232 0.146

6203498045 .................. 0.249 0.2951

6204132010 .................. 0.1302 0.1543

6204192000 .................. 0.1302 0.1543

6204198090 .................. 0.2603 0.3085

6204221000 .................. 1.3017 1.5425

6204223030 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6204223040 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6204223050 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6204223060 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6204223065 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6204292040 .................. 0.3254 0.3856

6204322010 .................. 1.2366 1.4654

6204322030 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6204322040 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6204423010 .................. 1.2728 1.5083

6204423030 .................. 0.9546 1.1312

6204423040 .................. 0.9546 1.1312

6204423050 .................. 0.9546 1.1312

6204423060 .................. 0.9546 1.1312

6204522010 .................. 1.2654 1.4995

6204522030 .................. 1.2654 1.4995

6204522040 .................. 1.2654 1.4995

6204522070 .................. 1.0656 1.2627

6204522080 .................. 1.0656 1.2627

6204533010 .................. 0.2664 0.3157

6204594060 .................. 0.2664 0.3157

6204622010 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6204622025 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6204622050 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6204624005 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6204624010 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6204624020 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6204624025 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6204624030 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6204624035 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6204624040 .................. 1.2451 1.4754

6204624045 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6204624050 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6204624055 .................. 0.9854 1.1677

6204624060 .................. 0.9854 1.1677

6204624065 .................. 0.9854 1.1677

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

6204633510 .................. 0.2546 0.3017

6204633530 .................. 0.2546 0.3017

6204633532 .................. 0.2437 0.2888

6204633540 .................. 0.2437 0.2888

6204692510 .................. 0.249 0.2951

6204692540 .................. 0.2437 0.2888

6204699044 .................. 0.249 0.2951

6204699046 .................. 0.249 0.2951

6204699050 .................. 0.249 0.2951

6205202015 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205202020 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205202025 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205202030 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205202035 .................. 1.1206 1.3279

6205202046 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205202050 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205202060 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205202065 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205202070 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205202075 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6205302010 .................. 0.3113 0.3689

6205302030 .................. 0.3113 0.3689

6205302040 .................. 0.3113 0.3689

6205302050 .................. 0.3113 0.3689

6205302070 .................. 0.3113 0.3689

6205302080 .................. 0.3113 0.3689

6206100040 .................. 0.1245 0.1475

6206303010 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6206303020 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6206303030 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6206303040 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6206303050 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6206303060 .................. 0.9961 1.1804

6206403010 .................. 0.3113 0.3689

6206403030 .................. 0.3113 0.3689

6206900040 .................. 0.249 0.2951

6207110000 .................. 1.0852 1.286

6207199010 .................. 0.3617 0.4286

6207210010 .................. 1.1085 1.3136

6207210030 .................. 1.1085 1.3136

6207220000 .................. 0.3695 0.4379

6207911000 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6207913010 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6207913020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6208210010 .................. 1.0583 1.2541

6208210020 .................. 1.0583 1.2541

6208220000 .................. 0.1245 0.1475

6208911010 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6208911020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6208913010 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6209201000 .................. 1.1577 1.3719

6209203000 .................. 0.9749 1.1553

6209205030 .................. 0.9749 1.1553

6209205035 .................. 0.9749 1.1553

6209205040 .................. 1.2186 1.444

6209205045 .................. 0.9749 1.1553

6209205050 .................. 0.9749 1.1553

6209303020 .................. 0.2463 0.2919

6209303040 .................. 0.2463 0.2919

6210109010 .................. 0.2291 0.2715

6210403000 .................. 0.0391 0.0463

6210405020 .................. 0.4556 0.5399

6211111010 .................. 0.1273 0.1509

6211111020 .................. 0.1273 0.1509

6211118010 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6211118020 .................. 1.1455 1.3574

6211320007 .................. 0.8461 1.0026

6211320010 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6211320015 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

6211320030 .................. 0.9763 1.1569

6211320060 .................. 0.9763 1.1569

6211320070 .................. 0.9763 1.1569

6211330010 .................. 0.3254 0.3856

6211330030 .................. 0.3905 0.4627

6211330035 .................. 0.3905 0.4627

6211330040 .................. 0.3905 0.4627

6211420010 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6211420020 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6211420025 .................. 1.1715 1.3882

6211420060 .................. 1.0413 1.2339

6211420070 .................. 1.1715 1.3882

6211430010 .................. 0.2603 0.3085

6211430030 .................. 0.2603 0.3085

6211430040 .................. 0.2603 0.3085

6211430050 .................. 0.2603 0.3085

6211430060 .................. 0.2603 0.3085

6211430066 .................. 0.2603 0.3085

6212105020 .................. 0.2412 0.2858

6212109010 .................. 0.9646 1.1431

6212109020 .................. 0.2412 0.2858

6212200020 .................. 0.3014 0.3572

6212900030 .................. 0.1929 0.2286

6213201000 .................. 1.1809 1.3994

6213202000 .................. 1.0628 1.2594

6213901000 .................. 0.4724 0.5598

6214900010 .................. 0.9043 1.0716

6216000800 .................. 0.2351 0.2786

6216001720 .................. 0.6752 0.8001

6216003800 .................. 1.2058 1.4289

6216004100 .................. 1.2058 1.4289

6217109510 .................. 1.0182 1.2066

6217109530 .................. 0.2546 0.3017

6301300010 .................. 0.8766 1.0388

6301300020 .................. 0.8766 1.0388

6302100010 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302215010 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302215020 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302217010 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302217020 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302217050 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302219010 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302219020 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302219050 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302222010 .................. 0.4091 0.4848

6302222020 .................. 0.4091 0.4848

6302313010 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302313050 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302315050 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302317010 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302317020 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302317040 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302317050 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302319010 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302319040 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302319050 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302322020 .................. 0.4091 0.4848

6302322040 .................. 0.4091 0.4848

6302402010 .................. 0.9935 1.1773

6302511000 .................. 0.5844 0.6925

6302512000 .................. 0.8766 1.0388

6302513000 .................. 0.5844 0.6925

6302514000 .................. 0.8182 0.9696

6302600010 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302600020 .................. 1.052 1.2466

6302600030 .................. 1.052 1.2466

6302910005 .................. 1.052 1.2466

6302910015 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6302910025 .................. 1.052 1.2466
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 27823

IMPORT ASSESSMENT TABLE—

Continued

[Raw cotton fiber]

HTS No. Conv.

fact.

Cents/

kg.

6302910035 .................. 1.052 1.2466

6302910045 .................. 1.052 1.2466

6302910050 .................. 1.052 1.2466

6302910060 .................. 1.052 1.2466

6303110000 .................. 0.9448 1.1196

6303910000 .................. 0.6429 0.7618

6304111000 .................. 1.0629 1.2595

6304190500 .................. 1.052 1.2466

6304191000 .................. 1.1689 1.3851

6304191500 .................. 0.4091 0.4848

6304192000 .................. 0.4091 0.4848

6304910020 .................. 0.9351 1.1081

6304920000 .................. 0.9351 1.1081

6505901540 .................. 1.181 1.3995

6505902060 .................. 0.9935 1.1773

6505902545 .................. 0.5844 0.6925

* * * * *

Dated: May 15, 1998.

Mary E. Atienza,

Deputy Administrator, Cotton Programs.

[FR Doc. 98–13525 Filed 5–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–02–P

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

8 CFR Parts 3, 240, 245, 274a and 299

[INS NO. 1893–97; AG Order No. 2154–98]

RIN 1115–AF04

Adjustment of Status for Certain

Nationals of Nicaragua and Cuba

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization

Service, Justice, and Executive Office for

Immigration Review, Justice.

ACTION: Interim rule with request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This interim rule implements

section 202 of the Nicaragua Adjustment

and Central American Relief Act

(NACARA) by establishing procedures

for certain nationals of Nicaragua and

Cuba who have been residing in the

United States to become lawful

permanent residents of this country.

This rule allows them to obtain lawful

permanent resident status without

applying for an immigrant visa at a

United States consulate abroad and

waives many of the usual requirements

for this benefit.

DATES: Effective date: This interim rule

is effective June 22, 1998.

Comment date: Comments must be

submitted on or before July 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Please submit written

comments, original and two copies,to

the Director, Policy Directives and

Instructions Branch, Immigration and

Naturalization Service, 425 I Street NW,

Room 5307, Washington, DC 20536. To

ensure proper handling, please

reference INS No. 1893–97 on your

correspondence. Comments are

available for public inspection at the

above address by calling (202) 514–3048

to arrange for an appointment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For matters relating to the Immigration

and Naturalization Service—Suzy

Nguyen, Adjudications Officer, Office of

Adjudications, Immigration and

Naturalization Service, 425 I Street NW,

Room 3214, Washington, DC 20536,

telephone (202) 514–5014; For matters

relating to the Executive Office for

Immigration Review—Margaret M.

Philbin, General Counsel, Executive

Office for Immigration Review, 5107

Leesbury Pike, Suite 2400, Falls Church,

VA 22041, telephone (703) 305–0470.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How Does Section 202 of NACARA

Affect Nicaraguan and Cuban

Nationals?

The Nicaraguan Adjustment and

Central American Relief Act (NACARA),

enacted as title II of the District of

Columbia Appropriations Act, 1998,

Pub. L. 105–100 (111 Stat. 2160, 2193),

was signed into law on November 19,

1997. As amended, section 202 of

NACARA allows certain Nicaragua and

Cuban nationals who are physically

present in the United States to adjust

status to that of lawful permanent

resident. In order to be eligible for

benefits under NACARA, an applicant

must be a national of Nicaragua or Cuba;

must be admissible to the United States

under all provisions of section 212(a) of

the Immigration and Nationality Act

(the Act), other than those provisions

specifically excepted by NACARA; must

have been physically present in the

United States for a continuous period

beginning not later than December 1,

1995, and ending not earlier than the

date the application for adjustment is

filed (not counting absences totaling 180

days or less); and must properly file an

application before April 1, 2000. In

addition, certain family members of

NACARA beneficiaries are also eligible

for adjustment of status under

NACARA.

What Are the Benefits of NACARA?

An alien seeking adjustment of status

under NACARA is not subject to a

number of the requirements to which

aliens seeking adjustment under section

245 of the Act may be subject.

First, a NACARA applicant is not

required to have been inspected and

admitted or paroled into the United

States.

Second, a NACARA applicant is not

subject to any of the barriers to

adjustment contained in section 245(c)

of the Act (e.g., the bars against aliens

who have accepted or continued in

unauthorized employment, aliens who

remained in the United States longer

than authorized, and aliens admitted as

crewmen, in transmit without visa, or

under the visa waiver pilot program).

Consequently, an alien who would

otherwise be ineligible under section

245(c) may apply for adjustment under

NACARA.

Third, NACARA applicants are not

subject to the immigrant visa preference

system requirements contained in

sections 201 and 202 of the Act. Hence,

neither the worldwide quota restrictions

nor the per-country quota restrictions

apply.

Fourth, applicants need not

demonstrate that they are not

inadmissible under paragraphs (4), (5),

(6)(A), (7)(A), and (9)(B) of section

212(a) of the Act in order to adjust

status under section 202 of Public Law

105–100. Accordingly, NACARA allows

an otherwise qualified applicant to

adjust status under NACARA

notwithstanding inadmissibility for

likelihood of becoming a public charge,

for failure to obtain a labor certification,

for failure to meet certain requirements

applicable to foreign-trained physicians,

for failure to meet certain standards for

foreign health-care workers, for entering

or remaining in the country illegally, for

violating documentary requirements

relating to entry as an immigrant, or for

accruing more than 180 days of

unlawful presence prior to the alien’s

last departure or removal.

Fifth, unlike those seeking to adjust

status under other provisions of law, a

NACARA applicant who has been

paroled into the United States and is

now in exclusion or removal

proceedings before an immigration

judge is not barred from filing an

application for adjustment of status

under the provisions of NACARA while

in such proceedings.

What Are the NACARA Requirements

Regarding Continuous Physical

Presence in the United States

Under the terms of NACARA, eligible

applicants must have been physically

present in the United States

continuously since December 1, 1995.

However, they may have been outside of

the United States for periods not to

exceed 180 days in the aggregate

between December 1, 1995, and the date

of adjustment of status. A NACARA

applicant shall not be considered to