Customs Brokers

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR PART 111

RIN 1515-AC34

Customs Brokers

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document provides an additional 30 days for interested

members of the public to submit comments on the proposed revision to

part 111 of the Customs Regulations governing the licensing and conduct

of customs brokers in the performance of customs business on behalf of

others. The proposed revision, which was published in the Federal

Register on April 27, 1999, includes changes to the regulatory texts to

part 111 to reflect amendments to the underlying statutory authority

enacted as part of the Customs Modernization provisions of the North

American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. The proposed revision

also includes changes to reflect the recent reorganization of Customs

as well as changes to improve the content, layout and clarity of the

regulatory texts. The comment period was scheduled to expire on June

28, 1999.

DATES: Comments on the proposed revision must be received on or before

July 28, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments (preferably in triplicate) may be addressed

to the Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, US

Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20229. 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 a.m.

and 4:30 p.m. on normal business days at the Regulations Branch, Office

of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania

Avenue, NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Operational Aspects: Bruce Ingalls,

Office of Field Operations (202-927-1082).

Legal Aspects: Jerry Laderberg, Office of Regulations and Rulings

(202-927-2320).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Customs published a document in the Federal Register (64 FR 22726)

on April 27, 1999, proposing to revise part 111 of the Customs

Regulations governing the licensing and conduct of customs brokers in

the performance of customs business on behalf of others. The proposed

revision includes changes to the regulatory texts to part 111 to

reflect amendments to the underlying statutory authority enacted as

part of the Customs Modernization provisions of the North American Free

Trade Agreement Implementation Act. The proposed revision also includes

changes to reflect the recent reorganization of Customs as well as

changes to improve the content, layout and clarity of the regulatory

texts.

The document invited the public to comment on the proposed revision

to part 111. Comments on the proposed rule were requested on or before

June 28, 1999.

On June 22, 1999, Customs received a request from a law firm

representing the JFK Airport Customs Brokers Association to extend the

time period for submission of comments on the proposed rule so that the

firm can receive sufficient input from members of the Association

before submitting comments.

Customs has concluded that this request has merit. Accordingly, the

period of time for the submission of comments is being extended 30

days. Comments are now due on or before July 28, 1999.

Dated: June 23, 1999.

Stuart P. Seidel,

Assistant Commissioner, Office of Regulations and Rulings.

[FR Doc. 99-16479 Filed 6-28-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820-02-P