Certain Festive Articles: Recommendations for Modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, 57293-57295 [2010-23396]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 181 / Monday, September 20, 2010 / Notices management organizations; and the public; and; (f) Providing appropriate access to Federal lands for recreational shooting and hunting; (g) Providing recommendation to improve implementation of Federal conservation programs that benefit wildlife, hunting and outdoor recreation on private lands; and (h) When requested by the agencies’ designated ex officio members or the DFO in consultation with the Council Chairman, performing a variety of assessments or reviews of policies, programs, and efforts through the Council’s designated subcommittees or workgroups. Background information on the Council is available at https:// www.fws.gov/whhcc. jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Meeting Agenda The Council will convene to consider: (1) The Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Resource Conservation Plan—A Ten-Year Plan for Implementation; (2) America’s Great Outdoors initiative; (3) programs of the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture, and its bureaus, that enhance hunting opportunities and support wildlife conservation; (4) Information on issues for the Council to include in its 2010– 2012 work plan; and (5) other Council business. The final agenda will be posted on the Internet at https:// www.fws.gov/whhcc. Public Input Interested members of the public may present, either orally or through written comments, information for the Council to consider during the public meeting. Questions from the public will not be considered during this period. Speakers who wish to expand upon their oral statements, or those who had wished to speak but could not be accommodated on the agenda, are encouraged to submit these comments in written form to the Council after the meeting. Individuals or groups requesting an oral presentation at the public Council meeting will be limited to 2 minutes per speaker, with no more than a total of 30 minutes for all speakers. Interested parties should contact Joshua Winchell, Council Coordinator, in writing (preferably via e-mail), by September 24 (See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), to be placed on the public speaker list for this meeting. Written statements must be received by September 27, so that the information may be made available to the Council for their consideration prior to this meeting. Written statements must be supplied to the Council Coordinator in VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Sep 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 both of the following formats: One hard copy with original signature, and one electronic copy via e-mail (acceptable file format: Adobe Acrobat PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, or RTF (Rich Text File) in IBM–PC/ Windows 2007 format). In order to attend this meeting, you must register by close of business September 27. Because entry to Federal buildings is restricted, all visitors are required to pre-register to be admitted. Please submit your name, time of arrival, e-mail address, and phone number to Joshua Winchell via e-mail at joshua_winchell@fws.gov, or by phone at (703) 358–2639. Summary minutes of the conference will be maintained by the Council Coordinator at 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS–3103–AEA, Arlington, VA 22203, and will be available for public inspection during regular business hours within 30 days following the meeting. Personal copies may be purchased for the cost of duplication. Dated: September 14, 2010. Paul R. Schmidt, Acting Director. [FR Doc. 2010–23393 Filed 9–17–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 1205–9] Certain Festive Articles: Recommendations for Modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice of institution of investigation and opportunity to present written views on proposed recommendations. AGENCY: Following receipt of a letter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Commission instituted investigation No. 1205–9, Certain Festive Articles: Recommendations for Modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, pursuant to section 1205 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3005), for the purpose of making recommendations to the President regarding the addition of a U.S. note and the amendment or replacement of certain classification provisions in subchapter XVII of chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) relating to certain utilitarian articles that incorporate a SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57293 festive design, decoration, emblem, or motif. DATES: October 22, 2010: Deadline for filing written views relating to the Commission’s proposed recommendations. November 29, 2010: Transmittal of the Commission’s recommendations to the President. ADDRESSES: All Commission offices are located in the United States International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC. All written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. The public record for this collection of proposals may be viewed on the Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS) at https:// www.usitc.gov/secretary/edis.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Schottman, Nomenclature Analyst (202– 205–2077, fred.schottman@usitc.gov), or Janis L. Summers, Attorney Advisor (202–205–2605, janis.summers@usitc.gov), of the Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements (fax 202–205–2616). The media should contact Margaret O’Laughlin, Office of External Affairs (202–205–1819), margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov). Hearing impaired individuals may obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal at 202– 205–1810. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet Web site (https://www.usitc.gov). Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. Background: Section 1205(a) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (the 1988 Act) (19 U.S.C. 3005(a)) provides that the Commission shall keep the HTS under continuous review and periodically recommend to the President such modifications in the HTS as the Commission considers necessary or appropriate to accomplish five general objectives. Among these stated objectives, section 1205(a)(2) of the 1988 Act directs the Commission to consider changes to the HTS to promote the uniform application of the Harmonized System Convention and particularly the Protocol thereto, which contains the Harmonized System nomenclature structure and accompanying legal notes. Subsections (b) through (d) of section 1205 describe the procedures the Commission is to follow in formulating recommendations, including with respect to soliciting and considering views of interested Federal E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1 57294 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 181 / Monday, September 20, 2010 / Notices agencies and the public. Section 1205(b)(1) requires that the Commission give notice of proposed recommendations and afford reasonable opportunity for interested parties to present their views in writing. In a letter dated July 1, 2010, from Myles B. Harmon, Director, Commercial and Trade Facilitation Division, CBP asked that the Commission conduct an investigation under section 1205 for the purpose of making recommendations to the President regarding the addition of a U.S. note and the amendment or replacement of certain classification 9817.95.01 ........ jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES 9817.95.02 ........ CBP’s letter requested that the following U.S. note 9 be inserted in subchapter XVII of chapter 98: 9. Heading 9817.95.02 applies only to tableware, kitchenware (except baking pans, cookie cutters, cookie stamps and presses) and toilet articles of chapter 39, 69 or 70; carpets and other textile floor coverings of chapter 57; apparel and accessories of chapter 61 or 62; and made-up textile articles of chapter 63. The letter further requested that existing HTS subheadings 9817.95.01 and 9817.95.05 and superior text thereto be replaced by: Utilitarian articles (including but not limited to Seder plates, blessing cups, menorahs or kinaras) of a kind used in the home in the performance of specific religious or cultural ritual celebrations for religious or cultural holidays, or religious festive occasions (provided for in subheading 3924.10, 3926.90, 6307.90, 6911.10, 6912.00, 7013.22, 7013.28, 7013.41, 7013.49, 9405.20, 9405.40 or 9405.50). Utilitarian articles, each incorporating a symbol and/or motif that is closely associated with a festive occasion (for example, Christmas, Easter, Halloween or Thanksgiving), the foregoing articles used or displayed principally during that festive occasion and not typically at any other time, under the terms of U.S. note 9 to this subchapter. CBP’s letter provided additional background on the tariff classification of utilitarian articles that incorporate a festive design, decoration, emblem, or motif. The letter summarized relevant court decisions and decisions of CBP that are the basis of CBP’s request. A copy of CBP’s letter is being posted on the Commission’s Web site at https:// www.usitc.gov/tariff_affairs/ modifications_hts.htm. The Commission believes that a modification of CBP’s description for heading 9817.95.02 should be considered in order to clarify the intended scope of the heading and conform to normal HTS language. The Commission proposes that a phrase included in the request letter’s description for that heading as ‘‘a festive occasion (for example, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, or Thanksgiving)’’ be replaced by ‘‘Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving or similar festive occasion’’. The Harmonized System nomenclature, which is maintained by the WCO, provides a uniform structural basis for the customs tariffs and statistical nomenclatures of all major trading countries of the world, including the United States. The Harmonized System comprises the broadest principles of classification and levels of categories in the HTS, comprising the general rules of interpretation, section and chapter titles, section and chapter legal notes, and heading and subheading texts to the 6-digit level of detail. Additional U.S. notes, further subdivisions (8-digit subheadings and 10-digit statistical VerDate Mar<15>2010 provisions in chapter 98 of the HTS relating to certain utilitarian articles that incorporate a festive design, decoration, emblem, or motif. The letter included CBP’s proposed language for a U.S. note and proposed changes in two U.S. tariff rate lines at the 8-digit level that take into account (a) Federal court decisions on the classification of particular utilitarian articles, and (b) the amendment of note 1 to chapter 95 of the international Harmonized System by the World Customs Organization (WCO). 15:00 Sep 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 annotations) and statistical notes, as well as the entirety of chapters 98 and 99 and several appendixes, are national legal and statistical detail added for the administration of the U.S. tariff and statistical programs and are not part of the international HS. An up-to-date copy of the HTS, which incorporates the international HS in its overall structure, can be found on the Commission’s Web site (https:// www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/ index.htm). Hard copies and electronic copies on CD can be found at many of the 1,400 Federal Depository Libraries located throughout the United States and its territories; further information about these locations can be found at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/fdlp.html or by contacting GPO Access at the Government Printing Office at this telephone number: 866–512–1800. The Commission will prepare recommendations for the President in the form of a single report. In preparing these recommendations, the Commission will take into account CBP’s request, as well as all other appropriate legal and technical considerations relating to HTS chapters 39, 57, 61, 62, 63, 69, 70, 94, and 95. The Commission will consider and include, where appropriate, the input submitted by other agencies and interested parties. Submissions from other agencies and the public must be filed by October 22, 2010, in order to be assured of consideration in the Commission’s report and recommendations to the President. Written submissions should be filed in accordance with the procedures PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Free .............. 25%. Free .............. 25%. below. Such submissions should take into account the classification of the merchandise concerned under the international Harmonized System as well as domestic judicial decisions and seek to further the goals set out by section 1205 of the 1988 Act and the Harmonized System Convention. No proposals for changes to existing U.S. rates of duty or to 10-digit statistical annotations or notes will be considered by the Commission during its review. However, the Commission will examine information concerning the rates of duty currently utilized by importers in liquidated and undisputed entries of specific festive articles that are the subject of this investigation. The changes in the HTS that may result from this investigation are not intended to alter current tariff rates. The changes instead are intended to ensure that existing tariff treatment continues to be applicable following the implementation of new U.S. tariff provisions, taking into account HTS changes that were proclaimed as of February 3, 2007, and related judicial decisions and CBP classification rulings. Proposed Recommendations: Section 1205(b)(1) of the 1988 Act requires that the Commission give notice of proposed recommendations and afford reasonable opportunity for interested parties to present their views in writing. The Commission hereby gives notice that its proposed recommendations in this investigation for purposes of section 1205(b)(1) of the 1988 Act are as follows: (1) Adopt CBP’s proposed language for U.S. note 9, to be inserted in E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 181 / Monday, September 20, 2010 / Notices subchapter XVII of chapter 98 of the HTS; and (2) Adopt CBP’s proposed language for HTS subheadings 9817.95.01 and jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES 9817.95.02 ........ 9817.95.02 and the deletion of subheading 9817.95.05 with the exception of the one change noted above regarding the parenthetical expression VerDate Mar<15>2010 shown in HTS subheading 9817.95.02, as requested, relating to festive occasions. Thus, HTS subheading 9817.95.02 would read as follows: Utilitarian articles, each incorporating a symbol and/or motif that is closely associated with Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving or similar festive occasion, the foregoing articles used or displayed principally during that festive occasion and not typically at any other time, under the terms of U.S. note 9 to this subchapter. Written Submissions: Interested parties and agencies are invited to file written submissions relating to the Commission’s proposed recommendations. All written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary. Written submissions relating to CBP’s request should be received no later than October 22, 2010. Submissions should refer to ‘‘Investigation No. 1205–9’’ in a prominent place on the cover page and/ or the first page. All written submissions must conform with the provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8). Section 201.8 requires that a signed original (or a copy so designated) and fourteen (14) copies of each document be filed. In the event that confidential treatment of a document is requested, at least four (4) additional copies must be filed, in which the confidential information must be deleted (see the following paragraph for further information regarding confidential business information). The Commission’s rules authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means only to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, https:// www.usitc.gov/secretary/ fed_reg_notices/rules/documents/ handbook_on_electronic_filing.pdf). Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary (202–205–2000). Any submissions that contain confidential business information must also conform with the requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of the document and the individual pages be clearly marked as to whether they are the ‘‘confidential’’ or ‘‘non-confidential’’ version, and that the confidential business information be clearly identified by means of brackets. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be made available for inspection by interested parties. Confidential business information received in the submissions 15:00 Sep 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 57295 Free .............. may be made available to CBP during the examination of the requested HTS modifications. The Commission will not otherwise publish or release any confidential business information received, nor release it to other government agencies or other persons. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR By order of the Commission. Issued: September 13, 2010. Marilyn R. Abbott, Secretary to the Commission. 25%. AGENCY: BILLING CODE 7020–02–P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE United States Parole Commission Record of Vote of Meeting Closure (Pub. L. 94–409) (5 U.S.C. Sec. 552b) I, Isaac Fulwood, of the United States Parole Commission, was present at a meeting of said Commission, which started at approximately 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, September 9, 2010, at the U.S. Parole Commission, 5550 Friendship Boulevard, 4th Floor, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815. The purpose of the meeting was to approve or disapprove the appointment of a hearing examiner. Four Commissioners were present, constituting a quorum when the vote to close the meeting was submitted. Public announcement further describing the subject matter of the meeting and certifications of General Counsel that this meeting may be closed by vote of the Commissioners present were submitted to the Commissioners prior to the conduct of any other business. Upon motion duly made, seconded, and carried, the following Commissioners voted that the meeting be closed: Isaac Fulwood, Cranston J. Mitchell and Patricia K. Cushwa. In witness whereof, I make this official record of the vote taken to close this meeting and authorize this record to be made available to the public. Dated: September 10, 2010. Isaac Fulwood, Chairman, U.S. Parole Commission. [FR Doc. 2010–23295 Filed 9–17–10; 8:45 am] PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Affirmative Decisions on Petitions for Modification Granted in Whole or in Part Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor. ACTION: Notice. [FR Doc. 2010–23396 Filed 9–17–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–01–M Mine Safety and Health Administration Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This Federal Register Notice (FR Notice) notifies the public that it has investigated and issued a final decision on certain mine operator petitions to modify a safety standard. ADDRESSES: Copies of the final decisions are posted on MSHA’s Web Site at https://www.msha.gov/indexes/ petition.htm. The public may inspect the petitions and final decisions during normal business hours in MSHA’s Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2349, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All visitors must first stop at the receptionist desk on the 21st Floor to sign-in. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roslyn B. Fontaine, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances at 202–693– 9475 (Voice), fontaine.roslyn@dol.gov (E-mail), or 202–693–9441 (Telefax), or Barbara Barron at 202–693–9447 (Voice), barron.barbara@dol.gov (Email), or 202–693–9441 (Telefax). [These are not toll-free numbers]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Introduction Under section 101 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, a mine operator may petition and the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) may modify the application of a mandatory safety standard to that mine if the Secretary determines that: (1) An alternative method exists that will guarantee no less protection for the miners affected than that provided by the standard; or (2) that the application of the standard E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57293-57295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23396]


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 INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 1205-9]


Certain Festive Articles: Recommendations for Modifying the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice of institution of investigation and opportunity to 
present written views on proposed recommendations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a letter from U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP), the Commission instituted investigation No. 1205-9, 
Certain Festive Articles: Recommendations for Modifying the Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States, pursuant to section 1205 of the 
Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3005), for the 
purpose of making recommendations to the President regarding the 
addition of a U.S. note and the amendment or replacement of certain 
classification provisions in subchapter XVII of chapter 98 of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) relating to 
certain utilitarian articles that incorporate a festive design, 
decoration, emblem, or motif.

DATES: October 22, 2010: Deadline for filing written views relating to 
the Commission's proposed recommendations.
    November 29, 2010: Transmittal of the Commission's recommendations 
to the President.

ADDRESSES: All Commission offices are located in the United States 
International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, 
DC. All written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, 
United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20436. The public record for this collection of 
proposals may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at 
https://www.usitc.gov/secretary/edis.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Schottman, Nomenclature Analyst 
(202-205-2077, fred.schottman@usitc.gov), or Janis L. Summers, Attorney 
Advisor (202-205-2605, janis.summers@usitc.gov), of the Office of 
Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements (fax 202-205-2616). The media 
should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External Affairs (202-
205-1819), margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov). Hearing impaired individuals 
may obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission's 
TDD terminal at 202-205-1810. General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet Web site 
(https://www.usitc.gov). Persons with mobility impairments who will need 
special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact 
the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000.
    Background: Section 1205(a) of the Omnibus Trade and 
Competitiveness Act of 1988 (the 1988 Act) (19 U.S.C. 3005(a)) provides 
that the Commission shall keep the HTS under continuous review and 
periodically recommend to the President such modifications in the HTS 
as the Commission considers necessary or appropriate to accomplish five 
general objectives. Among these stated objectives, section 1205(a)(2) 
of the 1988 Act directs the Commission to consider changes to the HTS 
to promote the uniform application of the Harmonized System Convention 
and particularly the Protocol thereto, which contains the Harmonized 
System nomenclature structure and accompanying legal notes. Subsections 
(b) through (d) of section 1205 describe the procedures the Commission 
is to follow in formulating recommendations, including with respect to 
soliciting and considering views of interested Federal

[[Page 57294]]

agencies and the public. Section 1205(b)(1) requires that the 
Commission give notice of proposed recommendations and afford 
reasonable opportunity for interested parties to present their views in 
writing.
    In a letter dated July 1, 2010, from Myles B. Harmon, Director, 
Commercial and Trade Facilitation Division, CBP asked that the 
Commission conduct an investigation under section 1205 for the purpose 
of making recommendations to the President regarding the addition of a 
U.S. note and the amendment or replacement of certain classification 
provisions in chapter 98 of the HTS relating to certain utilitarian 
articles that incorporate a festive design, decoration, emblem, or 
motif. The letter included CBP's proposed language for a U.S. note and 
proposed changes in two U.S. tariff rate lines at the 8-digit level 
that take into account (a) Federal court decisions on the 
classification of particular utilitarian articles, and (b) the 
amendment of note 1 to chapter 95 of the international Harmonized 
System by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
    CBP's letter requested that the following U.S. note 9 be inserted 
in subchapter XVII of chapter 98:

    9. Heading 9817.95.02 applies only to tableware, kitchenware 
(except baking pans, cookie cutters, cookie stamps and presses) and 
toilet articles of chapter 39, 69 or 70; carpets and other textile 
floor coverings of chapter 57; apparel and accessories of chapter 61 
or 62; and made-up textile articles of chapter 63.
    The letter further requested that existing HTS subheadings 
9817.95.01 and 9817.95.05 and superior text thereto be replaced by:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9817.95.01...........  Utilitarian      Free............            25%.
                        articles
                        (including but
                        not limited to
                        Seder plates,
                        blessing cups,
                        menorahs or
                        kinaras) of a
                        kind used in
                        the home in
                        the
                        performance of
                        specific
                        religious or
                        cultural
                        ritual
                        celebrations
                        for religious
                        or cultural
                        holidays, or
                        religious
                        festive
                        occasions
                        (provided for
                        in subheading
                        3924.10,
                        3926.90,
                        6307.90,
                        6911.10,
                        6912.00,
                        7013.22,
                        7013.28,
                        7013.41,
                        7013.49,
                        9405.20,
                        9405.40 or
                        9405.50).
9817.95.02...........  Utilitarian      Free............            25%.
                        articles, each
                        incorporating
                        a symbol and/
                        or motif that
                        is closely
                        associated
                        with a festive
                        occasion (for
                        example,
                        Christmas,
                        Easter,
                        Halloween or
                        Thanksgiving),
                        the foregoing
                        articles used
                        or displayed
                        principally
                        during that
                        festive
                        occasion and
                        not typically
                        at any other
                        time, under
                        the terms of
                        U.S. note 9 to
                        this
                        subchapter.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

CBP's letter provided additional background on the tariff 
classification of utilitarian articles that incorporate a festive 
design, decoration, emblem, or motif. The letter summarized relevant 
court decisions and decisions of CBP that are the basis of CBP's 
request. A copy of CBP's letter is being posted on the Commission's Web 
site at https://www.usitc.gov/tariff_affairs/modifications_hts.htm.
    The Commission believes that a modification of CBP's description 
for heading 9817.95.02 should be considered in order to clarify the 
intended scope of the heading and conform to normal HTS language. The 
Commission proposes that a phrase included in the request letter's 
description for that heading as ``a festive occasion (for example, 
Christmas, Easter, Halloween, or Thanksgiving)'' be replaced by 
``Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving or similar festive 
occasion''.
    The Harmonized System nomenclature, which is maintained by the WCO, 
provides a uniform structural basis for the customs tariffs and 
statistical nomenclatures of all major trading countries of the world, 
including the United States. The Harmonized System comprises the 
broadest principles of classification and levels of categories in the 
HTS, comprising the general rules of interpretation, section and 
chapter titles, section and chapter legal notes, and heading and 
subheading texts to the 6-digit level of detail. Additional U.S. notes, 
further subdivisions (8-digit subheadings and 10-digit statistical 
annotations) and statistical notes, as well as the entirety of chapters 
98 and 99 and several appendixes, are national legal and statistical 
detail added for the administration of the U.S. tariff and statistical 
programs and are not part of the international HS.
    An up-to-date copy of the HTS, which incorporates the international 
HS in its overall structure, can be found on the Commission's Web site 
(https://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm). Hard copies and 
electronic copies on CD can be found at many of the 1,400 Federal 
Depository Libraries located throughout the United States and its 
territories; further information about these locations can be found at 
https://www.gpoaccess.gov/fdlp.html or by contacting GPO Access at the 
Government Printing Office at this telephone number: 866-512-1800.
    The Commission will prepare recommendations for the President in 
the form of a single report. In preparing these recommendations, the 
Commission will take into account CBP's request, as well as all other 
appropriate legal and technical considerations relating to HTS chapters 
39, 57, 61, 62, 63, 69, 70, 94, and 95. The Commission will consider 
and include, where appropriate, the input submitted by other agencies 
and interested parties. Submissions from other agencies and the public 
must be filed by October 22, 2010, in order to be assured of 
consideration in the Commission's report and recommendations to the 
President.
    Written submissions should be filed in accordance with the 
procedures below. Such submissions should take into account the 
classification of the merchandise concerned under the international 
Harmonized System as well as domestic judicial decisions and seek to 
further the goals set out by section 1205 of the 1988 Act and the 
Harmonized System Convention. No proposals for changes to existing U.S. 
rates of duty or to 10-digit statistical annotations or notes will be 
considered by the Commission during its review. However, the Commission 
will examine information concerning the rates of duty currently 
utilized by importers in liquidated and undisputed entries of specific 
festive articles that are the subject of this investigation. The 
changes in the HTS that may result from this investigation are not 
intended to alter current tariff rates. The changes instead are 
intended to ensure that existing tariff treatment continues to be 
applicable following the implementation of new U.S. tariff provisions, 
taking into account HTS changes that were proclaimed as of February 3, 
2007, and related judicial decisions and CBP classification rulings.
    Proposed Recommendations: Section 1205(b)(1) of the 1988 Act 
requires that the Commission give notice of proposed recommendations 
and afford reasonable opportunity for interested parties to present 
their views in writing.
    The Commission hereby gives notice that its proposed 
recommendations in this investigation for purposes of section 
1205(b)(1) of the 1988 Act are as follows:
    (1) Adopt CBP's proposed language for U.S. note 9, to be inserted 
in

[[Page 57295]]

subchapter XVII of chapter 98 of the HTS; and
    (2) Adopt CBP's proposed language for HTS subheadings 9817.95.01 
and 9817.95.02 and the deletion of subheading 9817.95.05 with the 
exception of the one change noted above regarding the parenthetical 
expression shown in HTS subheading 9817.95.02, as requested, relating 
to festive occasions. Thus, HTS subheading 9817.95.02 would read as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        [emps]              [emps]           [emps]           [emps]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9817.95.02...........  Utilitarian      Free............            25%.
                        articles, each
                        incorporating
                        a symbol and/
                        or motif that
                        is closely
                        associated
                        with
                        Christmas,
                        Easter,
                        Halloween,
                        Thanksgiving
                        or similar
                        festive
                        occasion, the
                        foregoing
                        articles used
                        or displayed
                        principally
                        during that
                        festive
                        occasion and
                        not typically
                        at any other
                        time, under
                        the terms of
                        U.S. note 9 to
                        this
                        subchapter.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Written Submissions: Interested parties and agencies are invited to 
file written submissions relating to the Commission's proposed 
recommendations. All written submissions should be addressed to the 
Secretary. Written submissions relating to CBP's request should be 
received no later than October 22, 2010. Submissions should refer to 
``Investigation No. 1205-9'' in a prominent place on the cover page 
and/or the first page. All written submissions must conform with the 
provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8). Section 201.8 requires that a signed original 
(or a copy so designated) and fourteen (14) copies of each document be 
filed. In the event that confidential treatment of a document is 
requested, at least four (4) additional copies must be filed, in which 
the confidential information must be deleted (see the following 
paragraph for further information regarding confidential business 
information). The Commission's rules authorize filing submissions with 
the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means only to the extent 
permitted by section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook for Electronic 
Filing Procedures, https://www.usitc.gov/secretary/fed_reg_notices/rules/documents/handbook_on_electronic_filing.pdf). Persons with 
questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary 
(202-205-2000).
    Any submissions that contain confidential business information must 
also conform with the requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the 
rules requires that the cover of the document and the individual pages 
be clearly marked as to whether they are the ``confidential'' or ``non-
confidential'' version, and that the confidential business information 
be clearly identified by means of brackets. All written submissions, 
except for confidential business information, will be made available 
for inspection by interested parties. Confidential business information 
received in the submissions may be made available to CBP during the 
examination of the requested HTS modifications. The Commission will not 
otherwise publish or release any confidential business information 
received, nor release it to other government agencies or other persons.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: September 13, 2010.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2010-23396 Filed 9-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
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