[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 30, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28039-28040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13070]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 10

[T.D. 95-45]


Reciprocal Privileges Extended to Aircraft Registered in Abu 
Dhabi, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends the Customs Regulations by adding Abu 
Dhabi, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar to the list of countries whose 
registered commercial aircraft are entitled to certain privileges that 
exempt from Customs duties and internal revenue taxes their supplies 
and equipment that are withdrawn from Customs or Internal Revenue 
custody. Customs has been duly informed that the Governments of these 
countries allow exemption privileges to U.S.-registered aircraft in 
connection with international commercial operations that are 
substantially reciprocal to the exemption privileges that may be 
allowed under U.S. law to aircraft of foreign registry. Accordingly, 
Customs is extending reciprocal privileges.

DATES: This amendment is effective May 30, 1995. These reciprocal 
privileges were granted on June 1, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William G. Rosoff, Entry Rulings 
Branch, (202) 482-7040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 309 (a)(3) and (d) and 317, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended 
(19 U.S.C. 1309 (a)(3) and (d) and 1317), provide that foreign-
registered aircraft engaged in foreign trade may withdraw from Customs 
or Internal Revenue custody, free of customs duties and internal 
revenue taxes imposed by reason of importation, articles of foreign or 
domestic origin for supplies (including equipment), ground equipment, 
maintenance, or repair of the aircraft. The privileges granted by these 
sections are allowed only if the Secretary of Commerce finds and 
advises the Secretary of the Treasury that the foreign country in 
question affords substantially reciprocal privileges to U.S.-registered 
aircraft. The regulations implementing these reciprocal duty-free 
customs and internal revenue tax exemptions are found at Sec. 10.59(f), 
Customs Regulations (19 CFR 10.59(f)), which enumerates 
[[Page 28040]] those countries entitled to reciprocal privileges and 
designates the extent of the exemptions allowed.
    In accordance with 19 U.S.C. 1309(d), the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Service Industries and Finance, International Trade 
Administration, Department of Commerce, has advised the Customs Service 
by letter dated April 17, 1995, that following an appropriate 
investigation, it has been found that the Governments of Abu Dhabi, 
Bahrain, Oman and Qatar allow or would allow to aircraft of United 
States registry exemption privileges, in connection with international 
commerce operations, substantially reciprocal to those exemption 
privileges provided to aircraft of foreign registry by sections 309 and 
317 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. The effective date of this 
finding is June 1, 1994.
    This document amends the list in Sec. 10.59(f), Customs Regulations 
(19 CFR 10.59(f)) by adding Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar to the 
list of countries entitled to reciprocal privileges.
    Authority to amend this section of the Customs Regulations has been 
delegated to the Chief, Regulations Branch.

Inapplicability of Public Notice and Comment Requirements, Delayed 
Effective Date Requirements, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and 
Executive Order 12866

    Because the subject matter of this document does not constitute a 
departure from established policy or procedures, but merely announces 
the granting of an exemption for which there is a statutory basis, it 
has been determined, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), that the notice 
and public comment procedures thereon are unnecessary. Further, for the 
same reasons and because Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar have been 
found to be presently granting reciprocal exemption privileges to U.S.-
registered aircraft, it has been determined, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(1) and (3), that a delayed effective date is not required. 
Because this document is not subject to the notice and public procedure 
requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553, it is not subject to the provisions of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). This document 
does not meet the criteria for a ``significant regulatory action'' as 
specified in E.O. 12866.

List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 10

    Aircraft, Customs duties and inspection, Exports, Imports, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Amendment to the Regulations

    To reflect the reciprocal privileges granted to aircraft registered 
in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar, part 10, Customs Regulations (19 
CFR part 10) is amended as set forth below:

PART 10--ARTICLES CONDITIONALLY FREE, SUBJECT TO A REDUCED RATE, 
ETC.

    1. The authority citation for part 10 continues to read, in part, 
as follows:

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1321, 1481, 1484, 
1498, 1508, 1623, 1624;
* * * * *
    Section 10.59 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1309, 1317;
* * * * *


Sec. 10.59  [Amended]

    2. Section 10.59(f) is amended in the table by adding to the column 
headed ``Country'', in appropriate alphabetical order, ``Abu Dhabi'', 
``Bahrain'', ``Oman'', and ``Qatar'' and by adding ``95-45'' adjacent 
to the names of the above-listed countries in the column headed 
``Treasury Decision(s)''.

    Dated: May 23, 1995.
Harold M. Singer,
Chief, Regulations Branch.
[FR Doc. 95-13070 Filed 5-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P