Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2008/07/23/E8-16799/united-states-bahrain-free-trade-agreement
Timestamp: 2018-08-20 03:43:18
Document Index: 618562674

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 10', 'art 10', '§\u200910', '§\u200910', '§\u200910', '§\u200910', '§\u2009553', '§\u200910', '§\u20090', 'arts 10', '§\u200910', '§\u200910']

A Rule by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Treasury Department on 07/23/2008
This final rule is effective on August 22, 2008.
73 FR 42679
Docket No. USCBP-2007-0063
CBP Dec. 08-28
E8-16799
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E8-16799 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E8-16799
Textile Operational Aspects: Robert Abels, Office of International Trade, (202) 863-6503. Other Operational Start Printed Page 42680Aspects: Heather Sykes, Office of International Trade, (202) 863-6099. Legal Aspects: Karen Greene, Office of International Trade, (202) 572-8838.
On September 14, 2004, the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain (the “Parties”) signed the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (“BFTA”). The stated objectives of the BFTA include creating new employment opportunities and raising the standard of living for the citizens of the Parties by liberalizing and expanding trade between them; enhancing the competitiveness of the enterprises of the Parties in global markets; establishing clear and mutually advantageous rules governing trade between the Parties; eliminating bribery and corruption in international trade and investment; fostering creativity and innovation by improving technology and enhancing the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights; strengthening the development and enforcement of labor and environmental laws and policies; and establishing an expanded free trade area in the Middle East, thereby contributing to economic liberalization and development in the region.
The provisions of the US-BFTA were adopted by the United States with the enactment on January 11, 2006, of the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Area Implementation Act (the “Act”), Public Law 109-169, 119 Stat. 3581 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note). Section 205 of the Act requires that regulations be prescribed as necessary.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) is responsible for administering the provisions of the BFTA and the Act that relate to the importation of goods into the United States from Bahrain. Those customs-related BFTA provisions that require implementation through regulation include certain tariff and non-tariff provisions within Chapter One (Initial Provisions and Definitions), Chapter Two (National Treatment and Market Access for Goods), Chapter Three (Textiles and Apparel), Chapter Four (Rules of Origin), and Chapter Five (Customs Administration). On October 16, 2007, CBP published CBP Dec. 07-81 in the Federal Register (72 FR 58511), setting forth interim amendments to implement the preferential tariff treatment and customs-related provisions of the BFTA. For a more detailed discussion of the BFTA provisions that were implemented by the interim amendments, please see CBP Dec. 07-81.
In order to provide transparency and facilitate their use, the majority of the BFTA implementing regulations set forth in CBP Dec. 07-81 were included within new Subpart N in Part 10 of the CBP regulations (19 CFR Part 10). However, in those cases in which BFTA implementation was more appropriate in the context of an existing regulatory provision, the BFTA regulatory text was incorporated in an existing part within the CBP regulations. CBP Dec. 07-81 also set forth several cross-references and other consequential changes to existing regulatory provisions to clarify the relationship between those existing provisions and the new BFTA implementing regulations.
Although the interim regulatory amendments were promulgated without prior public notice and comment procedures and took effect on October 16, 2007, CBP Dec. 07-81 provided for the submission of public comments which would be considered before adoption of the interim regulations as a final rule, and the prescribed public comment period closed on December 17, 2007. No comments were received in response to the solicitation of public comments in CBP Dec. 07-81.
Accordingly, CBP has determined that the interim regulations published as CBP Dec. 07-81 should be adopted as a final rule with two technical corrections. The technical corrections to the interim regulatory text effected by this final rule involve § 10.804, which concerns the declaration, and § 10.822, which concerns the transshipment of non-Originating fabric or apparel goods. Paragraph (a)(2)(vi) of § 10.804 has been revised by adding the word “the” immediately before the word “territory” and paragraph (b) of § 10.822 has been revised by replacing the word “terms” with the word “term”.
CBP Dec. 07-81 was issued as an interim rule rather than a notice of proposed rulemaking because CBP had determined that the interim regulations involve a foreign affairs function of the United States pursuant to § 553(a)(1) of the APA. Because no notice of proposed rulemaking was required, the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), do not apply. Accordingly, this final rule is not subject to the regulatory analysis requirements or other requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604.
The collection of information in this final rule has previously been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507) under control number 1651-0130. The collections of information in these regulations are in §§ 10.803, 10.804, 10.818, and 10.821. This information is required in connection with claims for preferential tariff treatment and for the purpose of the exercise of other rights under the BFTA and the Act and will be used by CBP to determine eligibility for a tariff preference or other rights or benefits under the BFTA and the Act. The likely respondents are business organizations including importers, exporters, and manufacturers.
This document is being issued in accordance with § 0.1(a)(1) of the CBP Regulations (19 CFR 0.1(a)(1)) pertaining to the authority of the Start Printed Page 42681Secretary of the Treasury (or his/her delegate) to approve regulations related to certain customs revenue functions.
Accordingly, the interim rule amending Parts 10, 24, 102, 162, 163, and 178 of the CBP regulations (
Section 10.801 through 10.829 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1202 (General Note 30, HTSUS) and Public Law 109-169, 119 Stat. 3581 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note).
2. In § 10.804, paragraph (a)(2)(vi) is amended by adding the word “the” immediately before the word “territory”.
3. In § 10.822, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the word “terms” in the first sentence and adding, in its place, the word “term”.
[FR Doc. E8-16799 Filed 7-22-08; 8:45 am]