Department of Homeland Security August 23, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The current regulations in title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations allow CBP to collect a merchandise processing fee (MPF) on imported shipments to recoup administrative expenses. However, ``originating merchandise'' that qualifies to be marked as goods of Canada or of Mexico under the NAFTA are exempted from this fee. CBP is proposing to amend the regulations to clarify that an importer is subject to the same declaration requirement that is established for claiming NAFTA duty preference in order to claim the exemption of the MPF for goods that meet a NAFTA rule of origin even when the goods are unconditionally free. In addition, CBP is proposing to make several technical corrections. CBP is proposing to amend the regulations to clarify that a Certificate of Origin is not required for a commercial importation for which the total value of originating goods does not exceed $2,500. CBP is also proposing to remedy two incorrect addresses and an incorrect Code of Federal Regulations citation.

The Coast Guard has changed the effective period for the temporary regulation governing the operation of the New York City Highway Bridge (Belt Parkway), at mile 0.8, across Mill Basin, at New York City, New York. This temporary final rule allows the bridge owner to extend the effective period during which only one of the two moveable spans need open for the passage of vessel traffic. This rule is necessary to facilitate the completion of the ongoing bridge deck replacement.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has submitted the following information collection requests (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995: 1620-0002. The information collections were previously published in the Federal Register on June 15, 2006, at Vol. 71, No. 115, pages 34635 and 34636, allowing for OMB review and a 60-day public comment period. Comments received by DHS are being reviewed as applicable. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.