Drawback

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Parts 7, 10, 145, 173, 174, 181, 191

[RIN 1515-AB95]

Drawback

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document extends the period of time within which

interested members of the public may submit written comments on

proposed amendments to the Customs Regulations regarding drawback for

an additional 30 days. The proposed amendments would revise the

regulations to implement the extensive and significant changes to the

drawback law contained in the Customs modernization portion of the

North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act; change some

administrative procedures involving manufacturing and unused

merchandise drawback; and generally simplify and improve the editorial

clarity of the regulations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 24, 1997.

[[Page 9402]]

ADDRESSES: Comments (preferably in triplicate) must be submitted to

U.S. Customs Service, ATTN: Regulations Branch, Franklin Court, 1301

Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, D.C. 20229, and may be inspected

at the Regulations Branch, 1099 14th Street, NW., Suite 4000,

Washington, D.C. All comments submitted will be available for public

inspection in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.

552), Sec. 1.4, Treasury Department Regulations (31 CFR 1.4), and

Sec. 103.11(b), Customs Regulations (19 CFR 103.11(b)), between 9:00

a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on normal business days at the latter address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Hegland, Office of Regulations

and Rulings, (202-482-7040).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Customs published a document in the Federal Register on January 21,

1997 (62 FR 3082), inviting the public to comment on proposed

amendments to its regulations regarding drawback. Specifically, the

document would revise the regulations to implement the extensive and

significant changes to the drawback law contained in the Customs

modernization portion of the North American Free Trade Agreement

Implementation Act; change some administrative procedures involving

manufacturing and unused merchandise drawback; and generally simplify

and improve the editorial clarity of the regulations.

A trade association comprised of many members has submitted a

request to extend the period of time for comments on the proposed rule

for an additional 30 days (until April 24, 1997), in order to have

ample time to disseminate to its membership the proposed regulations,

review them, meet to discuss changes, and then to prepare a uniform

association position in this regard.

Customs believes under the circumstances that this request has

merit. Accordingly, the period of time for the submission of comments

is being extended as requested.

Dated: February 26, 1997.

John A. Durant,

Acting Assistant Commissioner, Office of Regulations and Rulings.

[FR Doc. 97-5145 Filed 2-28-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820-02-P