Extension of Import Restrictions Imposed on Certain Archaeological and Ethnological Materials From the Plurinational State of Bolivia

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)

Federal Register Volume 81, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)

Rules and Regulations

Pages 87804-87805

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2016-29279

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

19 CFR Part 12

CBP Dec. 16-24

RIN 1515-AE20

Extension of Import Restrictions Imposed on Certain Archaeological and Ethnological Materials From the Plurinational State of Bolivia

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Department of Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect an extension of import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological materials from the Plurinational State of Bolivia (``Bolivia''). The restrictions, which were originally imposed by Treasury Decision (T.D.) 01-86 and last extended by CBP Dec. 11-24, are due to expire on December 4, 2016. The Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, has determined that conditions continue to warrant the imposition of import restrictions. Accordingly, these import restrictions will remain in effect for an additional five years, and the CBP regulations are being amended to reflect this extension through December 4, 2021. 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 in accordance with 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. 01-86 contains the Designated List of archaeological and ethnological

Page 87805

materials from Bolivia to which the restrictions apply.

DATES: Effective December 2, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For legal aspects, Lisa L. Burley, Chief, Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted Merchandise Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, (202) 325-0215. For operational aspects, William R. Scopa, Branch Chief, Partner Government Agency Branch, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of Trade, (202) 863-

6554, William.R.Scopa@cbp.dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Pursuant to the provisions of the 1970 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention, codified into U.S. law as 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 Bolivia \1\ on December 4, 2001, concerning the imposition of import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological materials from Bolivia. On December 7, 2001, the U.S. Customs Service (U.S. Customs and Border Protection's predecessor agency) published Treasury Decision (T.D.) 01-86 in the Federal Register (66 FR 63490), 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.

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\1\ In 2009, the new constitution of Bolivia changed the country's official name from the ``Republic of Bolivia'' to the ``Plurinational State of Bolivia.''

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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 11, 2016, after reviewing the findings and recommendations of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, concluding that the cultural heritage of Bolivia continues to be in jeopardy from pillage of certain archaeological and ethnological materials, made the necessary determination to extend the import restrictions for an additional five years. Diplomatic notes have been exchanged reflecting the extension of those restrictions for an additional five-year period. Accordingly, CBP is amending 19 CFR 12.104g(a) to reflect the extension of the import restrictions. The Designated List of Archaeological and Ethnological Material from Bolivia covered by these import restrictions is set forth in T.D. 01-

86. The Designated List may also be found at the following Web site address: http://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-property-protection/bilateral-agreements/bolivia.

The restrictions on the importation of these archaeological and ethnological materials from Bolivia are to continue in effect through December 4, 2021. 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 under 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 same reason, 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

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

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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;

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Sections 12.104 through 12.104i also issued under 19 U.S.C. 2612;

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Sec. 12.104g Amended

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2. In Sec. 12.104g, paragraph (a), the table is amended in the entry for Bolivia by removing the words ``CBP Dec. 11-24'' in the column headed ``Decision No.'' and adding in their place the words ``CBP Dec. 16-24.''

R. Gil Kerlikowske,

Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Approved: December 1, 2016.

Timothy E. Skud,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

FR Doc. 2016-29279 Filed 12-2-16; 11:15 am

BILLING CODE 9111-14-P