[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 174 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51962-51963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20662]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

19 CFR Parts 4, 7, 10, 102, 134, and 177

[USCBP-2007-0100]
RIN 1505-AB49


Uniform Rules of Origin for Imported Merchandise

AGENCIES: Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security; Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document provides an additional 30 days for interested 
parties to submit comments on the proposed rule to amend the Customs 
and Border Protection (``CBP'') regulations to establish uniform rules 
governing CBP determinations of the country of origin of imported 
merchandise. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on 
July 25, 2008 (73 FR 43385), and the comment period was scheduled to 
expire on September 23, 2008.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before 
October 23, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number, by one 
of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments via docket number 
USCBP-2007-0100.
    <bullet> Mail: Trade and Commercial Regulations Branch, Regulations 
and Rulings, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., (Mint Annex), Washington, DC 
20229.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. For detailed instructions on submitting 
comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the 
``Public Participation'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Submitted comments 
may be inspected during regular business days between the hours of 9 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Trade and Commercial Regulations Branch, 
Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection, 799 9th Street, NW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC. 
Arrangements to inspect submitted comments should be made in advance by 
calling Mr. Joseph Clark at (202) 572-8768.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monika Brenner, Valuation and Special 
Programs, Office of International Trade, 202-572-8835; Heather K. 
Pinnock, Tariff Classification and Marking, Office of International 
Trade, 202-572-8828.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation

    Interested persons are invited to participate in this rulemaking by 
submitting written data, views, or arguments on all aspects of the 
proposed rule. CBP also invites comments that relate to the economic, 
environmental, or federalism effects that might result from this 
proposed rule. Comments that will provide the most assistance to CBP 
will reference a specific portion of the proposed rule, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include data, information, or 
authority that support such recommended change. See ADDRESSES above for 
information on how to submit comments.

Background

    CBP published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (73 FR 43385) on July 25, 2008, proposing to amend the CBP 
regulations to establish uniform rules of origin for imported 
merchandise. The proposed rule would extend application of the country 
of origin rules codified in 19 CFR part 102. Those rules have proven to 
be more objective and transparent and provide greater predictability in 
determining the country of origin of imported merchandise than the 
system of case-by-case adjudication they would replace. The proposed 
change also will aid an importer's exercise of reasonable care. In 
addition, the document proposes to amend the country of origin rules 
applicable to pipe fitting and flanges, printed greeting cards, glass 
optical fiber, and rice preparations. Finally, the proposed rule would 
amend the textile regulations set forth in Sec.  102.21 to make 
corrections so that the regulations reflect the language of section 
334(b)(5) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.
    The notice of proposed rulemaking invited the public to comment on 
the proposal. Comments on the proposed

[[Page 51963]]

rule were requested on or before September 23, 2008.

Extension of Comment Period

    In response to the proposed rule published in the Federal Register, 
CBP has received correspondence from several parties requesting an 
extension of the comment period. A decision has been made to grant an 
extension of 30 days. Comments are now due on or before October 23, 
2008.

    Dated: September 2, 2008.
Harold M. Singer,
Director, Regulations and Disclosure Law Division, Regulations and 
Rulings, Office of International Trade.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax, Trade and Tariff Policy), Office of 
Tax Policy, United States Treasury Department.
 [FR Doc. E8-20662 Filed 9-5-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P