[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 19, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 19CFR177.4]

[Page 336]
 
                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
  CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 177--ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS--Table of Contents
 
                   Subpart A--General Ruling Procedure
 
Sec. 177.4  Oral discussion of issues.

    (a) Generally. A person submitting a request for a ruling and 
desiring an opportunity to orally discuss the issue or issues involved 
should indicate that desire in writing at the time the ruling request is 
filed. Such a discussion will only be scheduled when, in the opinion of 
the Customs personnel by whom the ruling request is under consideration, 
a conference will be helpful in deciding the issue or issues involved or 
when a determination or conclusion contrary to that advocated in the 
ruling request is contemplated. Conferences are scheduled for the 
purpose of affording the parties an opportunity to freely and openly 
discuss the matters set forth in the ruling request. Accordingly, the 
parties will not be bound by any argument or position advocated or 
agreed to, expressly or by implication, during the conference unless 
either party subsequently agrees to be so bound in writing. The 
conference will not conclude with the issuance of a ruling letter.
    (b) Time, place, and number of conferences. If a request for a 
conference is granted, the person making the request will be notified of 
the time and place of the conference. No more than one conference with 
respect to the matters set forth in a ruling request will be scheduled, 
unless, in the opinion of the Customs personnel by whom the ruling 
request is under consideration, additional conferences are necessary.
    (c) Representation. A person whose request for a conference has been 
granted may be accompanied at that conference by counsel or other 
representatives, or may designate such persons to attend the conference 
in his place.
    (d) Additional information presented at conferences. It will be the 
responsibility of the person submitting the request for a ruling to 
provide for inclusion in the Customs Service file in the matter a 
written record setting forth any and all additional information, 
documents, and exhibits introduced during the conference to the extent 
that person considers such material relevant to the consideration of the 
ruling request.

[T.D. 75-186, 40 FR 31929, July 30, 1975, as amended by T.D. 80-285, 45 
FR 80105, Dec. 3, 1980; T.D. 84-149, 49 FR 28699, July 16, 1984; T.D. 
89-74, 54 FR 31515, July 31, 1989]