[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 20, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64654-64655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26383]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
19 CFR Part 12
[CBP Dec. 10-32]
RIN 1515-AD70
Extension of Import Restrictions Imposed on Certain Categories of
Archaeological Material From the Pre-Hispanic Cultures of the Republic
of Nicaragua
AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security;
Department of the Treasury.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This document amends Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
regulations to reflect the extension of import restrictions on certain
categories of archaeological material from the Pre-Hispanic cultures of
the Republic of Nicaragua. The restrictions, which were originally
imposed by Treasury Decision (T.D.) 00-75 and extended by CBP Decision
(Dec.) 05-33, are due to expire on October 20, 2010. The Assistant
Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States
Department of State, has determined that factors continue to warrant
the imposition of import restrictions. Accordingly, these import
restrictions will remain in effect for an additional 5 years, and the
CBP regulations are being amended to reflect this extension until
October 20, 2015. These restrictions are being extended pursuant to
determinations of the United States Department of State made under the
terms of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act that
implemented the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and
Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of
Cultural Property. T.D. 00-75 contains the Designated List of
archaeological material representing Pre-Hispanic cultures of Nicaragua
to which the restrictions apply.
DATES: Effective Date: October 20, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For legal aspects, Charles Steuart,
Chief, Intellectual Property Rights and Restricted Merchandise Branch,
Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, (202) 325-0020.
For operational aspects, Michael Craig, Chief, Interagency Requirements
Branch, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of International Trade, (202)
863-6558.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pursuant to the provisions of the 1970 United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention, implemented
by the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (Pub. L. 97-
446, 19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), the United States entered into a
bilateral agreement with the Republic of Nicaragua concerning the
imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of
archaeological material from the Pre-Hispanic cultures of the Republic
of Nicaragua on June 16, 1999, and following completion by the
Government of Nicaragua of all internal legal requirements, the
agreement entered into force on October 20, 2000. On October 26, 2000,
the former U.S. Customs Service (now U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP)), published T.D. 00-75 in the Federal Register (65 FR 64140),
which amended 19 CFR 12.104g(a) to reflect the imposition of these
restrictions and included a list designating the types of articles
covered by the restrictions.
Import restrictions listed in 19 CFR 12.104g(a) are ``effective for
no more than five years beginning on the date on which the agreement
enters into force with respect to the United States. This period can be
extended for additional periods not to exceed five years if it is
determined that the factors which justified the initial agreement still
pertain and no cause for suspension of the agreement exists'' (19 CFR
12.104g(a)). On October 20, 2005, CBP published CBP Dec. 05-33 in the
Federal Register (70 FR 61031) which amended 19 CFR 12.104g(a) to
reflect the extension for an additional period of 5 years.
On February 23, 2010, the Department of State received a request by
the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua to extend the Agreement,
and after the Department of State proposed to extend the Agreement and
reviewed the findings and recommendations of the Cultural Property
Advisory Committee, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and
Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, determined that
the cultural heritage of Nicaragua continues to be in jeopardy from
pillage of Pre-Hispanic archaeological resources and made the necessary
determinations to extend the import restrictions for an additional five
years. Diplomatic notes have been exchanged on October 15, 2010,
reflecting the extension of those restrictions for an additional five
year period. Accordingly, CBP is amending 19 CFR 12.104g(a) to reflect
this extension of the import restrictions.
The Designated List of Pre-Hispanic Archaeological Material from
Nicaragua covered by these import restrictions is set forth in T.D. 00-
75. The Designated List and accompanying image database may also be
found at the following Internet Web site address: http://exchanges.state.gov/heritage/culprop/nifact.html.
The restrictions on the importation of these archaeological
materials from the Republic of Nicaragua are to continue in effect
until October 20, 2015. Importation of such material continues to be
restricted unless the conditions set forth in 19 U.S.C. 2606 and 19 CFR
12.104c are met.
Inapplicability of Notice and Delayed Effective Date
This amendment involves a foreign affairs function of the United
States and is, therefore, being made without notice or public procedure
(5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1)). In addition, CBP has determined that such notice
or public procedure would be impracticable and contrary to the public
interest because the action being taken is essential to avoid
interruption of the application of the existing import restrictions (5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B)). For the
[[Page 64655]]
same reasons, a delayed effective date is not required under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3).
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required, the
provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do
not apply.
Executive Order 12866
Because this rule involves a foreign affairs function of the United
States, it is not subject to Executive Order 12866.
Signing Authority
This regulation is being issued in accordance with 19 CFR
0.1(a)(1).
List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 12
Cultural property, Customs duties and inspection, Imports,
Prohibited merchandise.
Amendment to CBP Regulations
0
For the reasons set forth above, part 12 of title 19 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (19 CFR part 12), is amended as set forth below:
PART 12--SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE
0
1. The general authority citation for part 12 and the specific
authority citation for Sec. 12.104g continue to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 3(i),
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624;
* * * * *
Sections 12.104 through 12.104i also issued under 19 U.S.C.
2612;
* * * * *
Sec. 12.104g [Amended]
0
2. In Sec. 12.104g, paragraph (a), the table is amended in the entry
for Nicaragua by removing the reference to ``CBP Dec. 05--33'' and
adding in its place ``CBP Dec. 10--32''.
Alan Bersin,
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Approved: October 15, 2010.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 2010-26383 Filed 10-19-10; 8:45 am]
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