81_FR_15002 81 FR 14948 - Flights to and From Cuba

81 FR 14948 - Flights to and From Cuba

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 54 (March 21, 2016)

Page Range14948-14953
FR Document2016-06371

Current U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations contain a separate subpart O addressing flights to and from Cuba. The provisions in that subpart are either obsolete due to intervening regulatory changes or are duplicative of regulations applicable to all other similarly situated international flights. This rule therefore amends the regulations by removing subpart O. These amendments are consistent with the President's policy promoting the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 54 (Monday, March 21, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 54 (Monday, March 21, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14948-14953]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06371]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

8 CFR Part 234

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

19 CFR Part 122

[USCBP-2016-0015; CBP Dec 16-06]
RIN 1651-AB10


Flights to and From Cuba

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, DHS.

ACTION: Interim final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Current U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations 
contain a separate subpart O addressing flights to and from Cuba. The 
provisions in that subpart are either obsolete due to intervening 
regulatory changes or are duplicative of regulations applicable to all 
other similarly situated international flights. This rule therefore 
amends the regulations by removing subpart O. These amendments are 
consistent with the President's policy promoting the normalization of 
relations between the United States and Cuba.

[[Page 14949]]


DATES: This interim final rule is effective on March 21, 2016. Comments 
must be received by April 20, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number, by one 
of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments via docket number 
USCBP-2016-0015.
     Mail: Border Security Regulations Branch, Regulations and 
Rulings, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, 90 K Street NE., 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Comments submitted 
will be available for public inspection during regular business days 
between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Regulations and 
Rulings, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, 90 K Street NE., 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177. 
Arrangements to inspect submitted comments should be made in advance by 
calling Mr. Joseph Clark at (202) 325-0118.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arthur A.E. Pitts, Sr., U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, by phone at (202) 
344-2752 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Participation

    Interested persons are invited to participate in this rulemaking by 
submitting written data, views, or arguments on all aspects of the 
interim final rule. DHS also invites comments that relate to the 
economic, environmental, or federalism effects that might result from 
this interim final rule. Comments that will provide the most assistance 
to DHS will reference a specific portion of the interim final rule, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include data, 
information, or authority that support such recommended change.

Background

    As part of the President's new approach to Cuba policy, DHS and CBP 
examined their regulations and policies pertaining to Cuba, 
particularly as they relate to air travel between the two countries.\1\ 
The existing regulations pertaining to flights to and from Cuba 
(codified at 19 CFR part 122, subpart O) are no longer needed because 
they are either obsolete in light of intervening regulatory changes or 
substantively identical to the general CBP requirements applicable to 
aircraft seeking to fly into or out of the United States. Accordingly, 
DHS is amending 19 CFR part 122 to remove subpart O and to make 
conforming amendments to other provisions.
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    \1\ See Fact Sheet: Charting a New Course on Cuba, The White 
House (Dec. 17, 2014), https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/17/statement-president-cuba-policy-changes.
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    Under 19 CFR part 122, subpart O, only certain CBP-approved 
airports may accept aircraft traveling to or from Cuba. Section 122.153 
(19 CFR 122.153) provides a process by which a port authority must 
submit a written request to CBP requesting that an airport receive 
approval to accept flights to or from Cuba. Section 122.153 also 
contains a list of approved airports. The remaining sections in subpart 
O pertain to other requirements for flights to and from Cuba, including 
notice of arrival, documents to be presented upon arrival, the release 
of passengers arriving from Cuba, and documents required for clearance. 
None of the regulatory requirements that apply specifically to flights 
to and from Cuba is mandated by statute, but rather are authorized by 
the broad authority granted to the Secretary of Homeland Security 
respecting all aircraft arriving in and departing from the United 
States under 19 U.S.C. 1433, 1644 and 1644a.\2\
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    \2\ Specifically, 19 U.S.C. 1433(c) provides that the pilot of 
any aircraft arriving in the United States or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands from any foreign location is required to comply with such 
advance notification, arrival reporting, and landing requirements as 
regulations may require. Under 19 U.S.C. 1644 and 1644a, the 
Secretary can designate ports of entry for aircraft and apply vessel 
entry and clearance laws and regulations to civil aircraft.
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    Prior to 2011, only three U.S. airports were authorized to accept 
flights to and from Cuba: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los 
Angeles International Airport, and Miami International Airport. In 
2011, the President announced a series of changes to ease certain 
restrictions on travel to and from Cuba.\3\ The announcement stated 
that the regulation should be modified to allow a U.S. airport to apply 
to accept authorized flights if the airport has adequate customs and 
immigration capabilities and if an authorized carrier has expressed an 
interest in providing service between Cuba and the airport.\4\ In 
response, DHS issued a final rule in the Federal Register (76 FR 5058) 
on January 28, 2011, that amended 19 CFR 122.153 to allow additional 
airports to request approval to accept Cuba flights.
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    \3\ Reaching Out to the Cuban People, The White House (Jan. 14, 
2011), https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/14/reaching-out-cuban-people.
    \4\ Id.
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    On December 17, 2014, the President announced that the United 
States would begin the process of normalizing relations with Cuba, 
including taking steps to re-establish diplomatic relations (which 
occurred on July 20, 2015), adjust regulations to more effectively 
empower the Cuban people, and facilitate an expansion of authorized 
travel under general licenses for the twelve existing categories of 
travel to Cuba authorized by law.\5\ As part of the President's new 
approach to relations with Cuba, the Department of the Treasury's 
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Department of 
Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) have issued five sets 
of amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) and Export 
Administration Regulations (EAR), respectively.\6\ In February 2016, 
representatives from the Departments of State and Transportation signed 
an arrangement with Cuba that provides the basis for the restoration of 
scheduled air services between the United States and Cuba.\7\
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    \5\ Fact Sheet: Charting a New Course on Cuba, The White House 
(Dec. 17, 2014), https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/17/fact-sheet-charting-new-course-cuba.
    \6\ See 81 FR 13989 (Mar. 16, 2016), 81 FR 4583 (Jan. 27, 2016), 
80 FR 56915 (Sept. 21, 2015), 80 FR 34053 (June 15, 2015), and 80 FR 
2291 (Jan. 16, 2015) (amending the CACR); 81 FR 13972 (Mar. 16, 
2016), 81 FR 4580 (Jan. 27, 2016), 80 FR 56898 (Sept. 21, 2015), 80 
FR 43314 (July 22, 2015), and 80 FR 2286 (Jan. 16, 2015) (amending 
the EAR).
    \7\ United States, Cuba Sign Arrangement Restoring Scheduled Air 
Service, U.S. Dep't of Transp. (Feb. 16, 2016), https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/united-states-cuba-sign-arrangement-restoring-scheduled-air-service.
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    In light of these intervening regulatory changes, the regulations 
specifically addressing flights to and from Cuba in 19 CFR part 122, 
subpart O are no longer necessary. Accordingly, DHS is removing that 
subpart. DHS is also making conforming amendments to certain provisions 
in titles 8 and 19 of the CFR: 8 CFR 234.2, 19 CFR 122.31, and 19 CFR 
122.42. The removal of part 122, subpart O, will make clear that 
flights to and from Cuba are subject to the same entry and clearance 
requirements in 19 CFR part 122 as all other similarly situated 
international flights.

Removal of 19 CFR Part 122, Subpart O

    Part 122, subpart O, of title 19 CFR, consists of eight sections 
numbered

[[Page 14950]]

from 122.151 to 122.158 (19 CFR 122.151-122.158). A description of each 
section follows, along with an explanation as to why it is no longer 
necessary, desirable, or consistent with the U.S. government's current 
approach towards Cuba.
    Section 122.151 (19 CFR 122.151) consists of two definitions, one 
for the ``United States'' and one for ``Cuba,'' which apply within 
subpart O. The definition for the ``United States'' is duplicative of 
the one in 19 CFR 122.1(l), and is therefore unnecessary. ``Cuba'' is 
not defined in 19 CFR 122.1, but this definition is also unnecessary in 
light of the removal of the special regulations governing flights to 
and from Cuba.
    Section 122.152 (19 CFR 122.152), regarding the application of 
subpart O, provides that the subpart applies to all aircraft entering 
or departing the United States to or from Cuba, except for public 
aircraft. As explained below, the other sections in subpart O are 
unnecessary, so there is no longer a need for this section.
    Section 122.153 (19 CFR 122.153) covers the limitation on airports 
of entry and departure for flights to and from Cuba. Under this 
section, flights to or from Cuba are limited to the Miami International 
Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles 
International Airport, or any other airport approved by CBP according 
to the procedures in paragraph (b). Paragraph (b) of Sec.  122.153 
outlines the approval process, which allows an international airport, 
landing rights airport, or user fee airport to request CBP approval to 
become an airport of entry and departure for aircraft traveling to and 
from Cuba. Under this process, CBP would determine whether the airport 
is properly equipped to facilitate passport control and baggage 
inspection and whether there is an OFAC licensed carrier that is 
prepared to provide flights between the airport and Cuba. Approved 
airports are listed on the CBP Web site and in updates to a list of 
approved airports in paragraph (c) of Sec.  122.153.
    The limitations regarding airports authorized to provide flights to 
and from Cuba are not required by statute. The regulation, now codified 
at 19 CFR 122.153, was originally promulgated in 1980 and appeared at 
19 CFR 6.3a. The preamble for the Federal Register document 
implementing the regulation stated that ``[b]ecause of the present 
situation involving aliens attempting to reach the U.S. from Cuba, 
there is serious reason to believe that unsafe and unlawful means of 
transportation will be utilized.'' \8\ As to the authority underlying 
the new limits, the preamble stated the rule was being undertaken in 
accordance with regulations propounded by the Federal Aviation 
Administration (14 CFR 91.101), the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service (8 CFR parts 231 and 239), and the Department of Commerce (15 
CFR 371.19). None of these authorities limits the number of airports 
that can service flights to or from Cuba or requires an application 
process to qualify airports to service Cuban flights in particular.
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    \8\ 45 FR 29247 (May 1, 1980).
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    DHS has determined that the approval process set forth in Sec.  
122.153(b) is no longer necessary because the criteria for obtaining 
approval to accept flights to and from Cuba are not materially 
different than the requirements applicable to all other similarly 
situated airports and aircraft operators seeking to conduct 
international flights. In evaluating requests by aircraft for 
permission to land at an international, landing rights or user fee 
airport, CBP researches and evaluates the impact on the overall 
operations at a given airport regardless of its classification. CBP 
also evaluates, in consultation with the airport authority where 
appropriate, the ability of the proposed airport to handle the flight, 
travelers, baggage, and cargo. CBP ensures that each airport for which 
a new international flight is requested is equipped to facilitate 
passport control and baggage inspection, and has the appropriate 
infrastructure to properly service the plane from the runway to its 
assigned gate.\9\
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    \9\ Certain aircraft arriving from areas south of the United 
States are subject to a modified process. Such flights are subject 
to specific notice of arrival requirements and must land at the 
airport listed under 19 CFR 122.24(b) that is nearest the point at 
which the aircraft crosses the border, unless an overflight 
exemption is granted. See 19 CFR 122.23-122.25. In designating the 
airports listed in 19 CFR 122.24(b), CBP has determined that these 
airports have adequate facilities and resources available to inspect 
and process aircraft subject to the regulation and their attendant 
crew, passengers, and cargo. If an exemption is sought pursuant to 
19 CFR 122.25, CBP considers whether the proposed destination 
airport has adequate resources to handle the flight, travelers, 
baggage, and cargo, just as it considers these factors when deciding 
whether to grant permission to land a new international flight that 
is not subject to 19 CFR 122.24. This modified process does not 
apply to (1) public aircraft, (2) aircraft operated on a regularly 
published schedule, pursuant to a certificate of public convenience 
and necessity or foreign aircraft permit issued by the Department of 
Transportation, authorizing interstate, overseas air transportation; 
or (3) aircraft with a seating capacity of more than 30 passengers 
or a maximum payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds which are 
engaged in air transportation for compensation or hire on demand. 
See 19 CFR 122.23(a). With the removal of 19 CFR part 122, subpart 
O, the requirements in 19 CFR 122.23-122.25 would apply to flights 
to and from Cuba that fall within the scope of those regulations.
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    The requirement in Sec.  122.153 that the requesting airport must 
have an OFAC-licensed carrier service provider that is prepared to 
provide flights between the airport and Cuba is obsolete. OFAC no 
longer requires an air carrier to obtain a specific license to provide 
carrier services to or from Cuba. Rather, an air carrier may fly to or 
from Cuba pursuant to a general license under the CACR, so long as the 
air carrier is providing carrier services in connection with travel or 
transportation of persons, baggage, or cargo that is itself authorized 
under the CACR, 31 CFR part 515, and is no longer required to obtain a 
specific license from OFAC.\10\ See 31 CFR 515.317 and 515.572(a).
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    \10\ According to OFAC, ``A general license authorizes persons 
subject to U.S. jurisdiction to provide carrier services by vessel 
or aircraft to, from, or within Cuba, in connection with authorized 
travel, without the need for a specific license.'' Frequently Asked 
Questions Related to Cuba, U.S. Department of Treasury (last updated 
Mar. 15, 2016), https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf. See also 31 CFR 501.801(a) 
(``General licenses have been issued authorizing under appropriate 
terms and conditions certain types of transactions which are subject 
to the prohibitions contained in this chapter.'').
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    Accordingly, by eliminating Sec.  122.153, CBP will make clear that 
it follows the same process in certifying flights to and from Cuba as 
it does with all international flights. Aircraft operators will be 
required to follow the usual procedures for international flights found 
in governing law, including the regulations in 19 CFR part 122, subpart 
B, for obtaining permission to land and to secure new international 
routes. The specific requirements vary depending on whether the airport 
is an international airport, a landing rights airport, or a user fee 
airport. See 19 CFR 122.11-122.13 (international airports); 122.14 
(landing rights airports); 122.15 (user fee airports).
    Section 122.154 (19 CFR 122.154) sets forth notice of arrival 
requirements. This section provides that all aircraft entering the 
United States from Cuba (except for OFAC-approved scheduled commercial 
aircraft of a scheduled airline) must give advance notice of arrival, 
not less than one hour before crossing the U.S. coast or border. The 
notice must provide the type of aircraft; name of the aircraft 
commander; number of U.S. citizen and alien passengers; place of last 
foreign departure; estimated time of crossing the border; and estimated 
time of arrival. Section 122.154 is being removed as it is redundant 
with other provisions within part 122. Generally, all inbound aircraft 
(not just those arriving from Cuba) are required to

[[Page 14951]]

provide notice to CBP prior to arriving in the United States. Section 
122.22 (19 CFR 122.22) generally requires all private aircraft pilots 
to transmit notice of arrival and manifest information to CBP at least 
60 minutes prior to departure of the aircraft from the foreign port or 
place.\11\ The data required under Sec.  122.22 includes the data 
required under Sec.  122.154. Section 122.23 (19 CFR 122.23) requires 
similar notice of arrival information for certain non-public aircraft 
arriving from locations south of the United States. Section 122.31 (19 
CFR 122.31) requires advance notice of arrival from all other aircraft, 
with the exception of aircraft of a scheduled airline arriving under a 
regular schedule. In addition, 19 CFR 122.49a, 122.49b, 122.49c, and 8 
CFR 231.1(a) require commercial carriers to transmit electronic 
manifest information for all passengers and crew.
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    \11\ If the United States is not the original destination and 
the flight is diverted to the United States due to an emergency, the 
information is required no later than 30 minutes prior to arrival. 
19 CFR 122.22(b)(2)(ii).
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    Section 122.155 (19 CFR 122.155) requires the aircraft commander of 
a flight arriving from Cuba to present to CBP the manifest required by 
8 CFR 231.1(b),\12\ and the documents required by subpart E of 19 CFR 
part 122, upon arrival in the United States. As Sec.  122.155 merely 
cross-references subpart E of 19 CFR part 122 and 8 CFR 231.1(b), the 
information referred to in this section is already required of all 
aircraft that are subject to the cited provisions. Furthermore, 19 CFR 
122.22 imposes electronic manifest requirements on private aircraft 
that are commensurate with the electronic manifest requirements for 
commercial aircraft contained in subpart E.
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    \12\ While 19 CFR 122.155 refers to the manifest required by 8 
CFR 231.1(b), Sec.  231.1(b) actually requires the submission of a 
properly completed Arrival/Departure Record, Form I-94 for each 
arriving passenger, with certain exceptions; Sec.  231.1(a) requires 
the submission of an electronic manifest.
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    Section 122.156 (19 CFR 122.156) concerns the release of passengers 
and aircraft. This section provides that neither passengers arriving 
from Cuba, nor the aircraft, will be released by Customs before the 
passengers are released by the Immigration and Naturalization Service 
or a Customs officer acting on behalf of that agency. This section is 
outdated due to the reorganization in 2002 which prompted the creation 
of CBP, in which customs and immigration functions were 
consolidated.\13\ Moreover, the requirement that all arriving persons 
report to a Customs officer and that all aliens seeking admission 
undergo immigration inspection is set forth in various provisions in 
the United States Code and titles 19 and 8 of the CFR.\14\ Clearance of 
aircraft departing the United States is covered generally in 19 CFR 
part 122, subparts F, G, H and I.
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    \13\ Pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 
107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (HSA), as of March 1, 2003, the legacy 
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) of the Department of 
Justice and the legacy Customs Service of the Department of the 
Treasury were transferred to DHS and reorganized to become CBP, U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services (USCIS). All inspectional functions previously 
assigned to legacy INS were transferred to DHS. As provided in 6 
U.S.C. 552(d), references relating to an agency that is transferred 
to DHS in statutes, executive orders, rules, regulations, 
directives, or delegations of authority that precede the effective 
date of the HSA are deemed to refer to DHS, its officers, employees, 
or agents, or to its corresponding organizational units or 
functions.
    \14\ See, e.g., 19 U.S.C. 1459(b) and (d) (requiring all 
individuals arriving aboard a reported conveyance to report to the 
designated customs facility and prohibiting departure from the 
facility until authorized to do so by the appropriate customs 
officer); 8 U.S.C. 235(a) (requiring all aliens who are applicants 
for admission or otherwise seeking admission or readmission to the 
United States to undergo an immigration inspection); 8 CFR 235.1(a) 
(requiring application to lawfully enter the United States to be 
made in person to an immigration officer at a U.S. port-of-entry); 
and 8 CFR 234.2(c) (prohibiting aircraft carrying passengers or crew 
required to be inspected from discharging or permitting to depart 
any passenger or crewman without permission from an immigration 
officer).
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    Section 122.157 (19 CFR 122.157) sets forth the documents that are 
required to clear an aircraft for departure. Under this section, the 
aircraft commander must present documents required by subpart H and a 
license issued by the Department of Commerce under 15 CFR 371.19 or by 
the Department of State under 22 CFR part 123. This section is outdated 
and is no longer necessary. First, 15 CFR 371.19 no longer exists. 
Under the current regulations, flights on a ``temporary sojourn'' to or 
from Cuba generally qualify for a license exception under the EAR 
provided they meet certain conditions, which are administered by BIS. 
In general, flying an aircraft to Cuba, even temporarily, constitutes 
an export or re-export to Cuba.\15\ However, the governing EAR 
provision authorizes departure from the United States of foreign 
registry civil aircraft on temporary sojourn in the United States and 
of U.S. civil aircraft for temporary sojourn abroad.\16\ Thus, if the 
aircraft departing the United States for Cuba meets the ``temporary 
sojourn'' definition to qualify for the license exception, there is no 
license requirement imposed on such aircraft. Second, clearance 
requirements for all international flights are currently covered under 
19 CFR part 122, subparts C, F, G and H. 22 CFR part 123, which 
pertains to the importation or exportation of certain defense articles, 
contains other potential requirements for clearance. These 
requirements, however, are not specific to flights to and from Cuba and 
would apply regardless of the removal of 19 CFR part 122, subpart O.
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    \15\ Cuba, Bureau of Industry and Security, https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/policy-guidance/country-guidance/sanctioned-destinations/cuba (last accessed Feb. 24, 2016); see also 
15 CFR 746.2(a) (requiring a license to export or re-export all 
items subject to the EAR to Cuba, except as provided in the 
regulation).
    \16\ 15 CFR 740.15. Former 15 CFR 371.19, which is referenced in 
19 CFR 122.157, described general licensing requirements for 
aircraft on a temporary sojourn to or from the United States, 
reflecting a prior regulatory regime that relied on general 
licenses, rather than license exceptions. See 61 FR 12714, 12778 
(Mar. 25, 1996) (interim rule replacing general license requirement 
with license exceptions).
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    Section 122.158 (19 CFR 122.158) states that all other provisions 
of part 122 relating to entry and clearance of aircraft are applicable 
to aircraft subject to subpart O. This section is duplicative of 19 CFR 
122.0(a), which provides that the regulations in part 122 relate to the 
entry and clearance of aircraft and the transportation of persons and 
cargo by aircraft, and are applicable to all air commerce.
    For the reasons discussed above, DHS has determined that 19 CFR 
part 122, subpart O is no longer necessary to regulate air travel to 
and from Cuba due to changes in the regulatory requirements governing 
travel and trade between the United States and Cuba, and the 
implementation of robust reporting requirements that apply to 
international flights generally. Therefore, DHS is amending 19 CFR part 
122 to remove 19 CFR part 122, subpart O, pertaining to flights to and 
from Cuba. Flights to and from Cuba will continue to be subject to the 
remaining entry and clearance requirements in 19 CFR part 122, as well 
as all other legal requirements relating to travel and trade between 
the United States and Cuba including, but not limited to, the CACR and 
the EAR.

Conforming Amendments

    DHS is amending various sections in title 8 CFR and title 19 CFR to 
bring these sections into conformity with the removal of 19 CFR part 
122, subpart O. These amendments are described below.
    Section 234.2 of title 8 (8 CFR 234.2) sets forth landing 
requirements for aircraft carrying passengers or crew required to be 
inspected under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 234.2(a) 
specifies the general

[[Page 14952]]

requirements regarding the place of landing for such aircraft and also 
includes a special requirement for flights to and from Cuba. 
Specifically, the last sentence in Sec.  234.2(a) specifies that 
aircraft carrying passengers or crew required to be inspected on 
flights originating in Cuba land only at airports that have been 
authorized by CBP pursuant to 19 CFR 122.153 as an airport of entry for 
flights arriving from Cuba, unless advance permission to land elsewhere 
has been obtained from the Office of Field Operations at CBP 
Headquarters. DHS is amending Sec.  234.2(a) to remove the last 
sentence.
    Section 122.31 of title 19 (19 CFR 122.31) sets forth notice of 
arrival requirements for aircraft entering the United States from a 
foreign area. Paragraph (c)(1)(ii) specifies that aircraft arriving 
from Cuba must follow the advance notice of arrival procedures set 
forth in Sec.  122.154 in part 122, subpart O. Paragraph (c)(1)(iii) 
specifies that certain aircraft arriving from areas south of the United 
States (other than Cuba) must follow the notice of arrival procedures 
set forth in Sec.  122.23 in part 122. As a result of removing subpart 
O, flights arriving from Cuba will now give advance notice of arrival 
in accordance with the other provisions in 19 CFR part 122. 
Accordingly, DHS is removing paragraph (c)(1)(ii) from Sec.  122.31 and 
making other conforming amendments to paragraph (c)(1).
    Section 122.42 of title 19 (19 CFR 122.42) sets forth certain 
aircraft entry requirements. Paragraph (d) provides that an aircraft of 
a scheduled airline which stops only for refueling at the first place 
or arrival in the United States shall not be required to enter provided 
it meets certain conditions, except for flights to Cuba (provided for 
in subpart O of this part). To conform with the removal of subpart O, 
DHS is removing this exception language from paragraph (d) of Sec.  
122.42.

Additional Requirements for Aircraft Traveling to or From Cuba

    All aircraft entering/departing the United States from/to Cuba must 
be properly licensed or otherwise authorized to travel between the 
United States and Cuba. Several federal agencies administer the 
necessary authorizations, and it is the responsibility of the owner or 
person in command of the aircraft to ensure that the aircraft has the 
necessary authorization to travel.
    OFAC administers the CACR, 31 CFR part 515, which prohibit, in 
relevant part, all persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
States from engaging in travel-related transactions involving Cuba 
unless authorized by OFAC. As mentioned before, air carriers are 
authorized to provide service to and from Cuba under a ``general 
license'' so long as the air carrier complies with the terms and 
conditions of the general license.
    BIS administers the EAR, 15 CFR parts 730 through 774, which 
prohibit certain exports and re-exports to Cuba unless authorized by a 
license or license exception. As discussed above, flying an aircraft to 
Cuba constitutes an export or re-export under the EAR, but certain 
flights on a ``temporary sojourn'' qualify for a license exception. An 
aircraft that fails to qualify for the ``temporary sojourn'' license 
exception under 15 CFR 740.15 may require an individually validated 
license under the EAR in order to depart the United States for Cuba. 
Baggage and cargo onboard the aircraft may also require a license if it 
does not qualify for a license exception under the EAR.
    Additionally, an aircraft traveling between the United States and 
Cuba may require a license from other federal agencies, as applicable, 
and must obtain economic and safety authorizations to provide air 
transportation service as an air carrier from the Office of the 
Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. 
Air carriers and other commercial operators are required to adopt and 
implement the security requirements established by the Transportation 
Security Administration for individuals, property, and cargo aboard 
aircraft (see 49 CFR chapter XII, subchapter C (Civil Aviation 
Security)).

Inapplicability of Notice and Delayed Effective Date Requirements, the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, and Executive Order 12866

    The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) requirements in 5 U.S.C. 553 
govern agency rulemaking procedures. The APA generally requires that an 
agency provide prior notice and an opportunity for public comment 
before issuing a final rule.\17\ The APA also requires that a final 
rule have a 30-day delayed effective date.\18\ The APA provides a full 
exemption from the requirements of section 553 for rules involving a 
foreign affairs function of the United States.\19\ The APA also 
provides an exception from the prior notice and public comment 
requirement and the delayed effective date requirement if the agency 
for good cause finds that such procedures are impracticable, 
unnecessary or contrary to the public interest.\20\
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    \17\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (c).
    \18\ 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
    \19\ 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1).
    \20\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 553(d)(3).
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    This interim final rule is excluded from the rulemaking provisions 
of 5 U.S.C. 553 as a foreign affairs function of the United States 
because it concerns international flights between the United States and 
Cuba, consistent with U.S. foreign policy goals. These amendments to 
clarify and simplify the regulations regarding air travel between the 
United States and Cuba are consistent with the President's continued 
effort to normalize relations between the two countries.
    Accordingly, DHS is not required to provide public notice and an 
opportunity to comment before implementing the requirements under this 
interim final rule.
    In addition, with respect to the removal of the regulations in 19 
CFR part 122, subpart O, that are duplicative of the entry and 
clearance requirements in the rest of part 122, DHS finds that good 
cause exists for dispensing with the prior notice and comment procedure 
as unnecessary under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and for dispensing with the 
requirement for a delayed effective date under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The 
Department, however, is interested in public comments on this interim 
final rule and, therefore, is providing the public with the opportunity 
to comment without delaying implementation of this rule. All comments 
received will become a matter of the public record.
    In addition, DHS does not consider this rule to be a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, section 3(f), 
Regulatory Planning and Review. Rules involving the foreign affairs 
function of the United States are exempt from the requirements of 
Executive Order 12866. As discussed above, DHS is of the opinion that 
clarifying and simplifying the regulations regarding restrictions on 
travel between the United States and Cuba is a foreign affairs function 
of the United States Government and as such, this rule is exempt from 
the requirements of Executive Order 12866. Finally, because DHS is of 
the opinion that this rule is not subject to the requirements of 5 
U.S.C. 553, DHS does not consider this rule to be subject to the 
provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

Signing Authority

    This interim final rule is being issued in accordance with 8 CFR 
2.1 and 19 CFR 0.2(a). Accordingly, this interim final rule is signed 
by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

[[Page 14953]]

List of Subjects

8 CFR Part 234

    Air carriers, Aircraft, Airports, Aliens, Cuba.

19 CFR Part 122

    Administrative practice and procedure, Air carriers, Aircraft, 
Airports, Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Cigars and cigarettes, Cuba, 
Customs duties and inspection, Drug traffic control, Freight, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures.

Amendments to the Regulations

    For the reason stated in the preamble, 8 CFR part 234 and 19 CFR 
part 122 are amended as set forth below.

8 CFR Chapter 1

PART 234--DESIGNATION OF PORTS OF ENTRY FOR ALIENS ARRIVING BY 
CIVIL AIRCRAFT

0
1. The general authority for part 234 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1221, 1229; 8 CFR part 2.


Sec.  234.2  [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  234.2 by removing the last sentence of paragraph (a).

19 CFR Chapter 1

PART 122--AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS

0
3. The authority citation for part 122 continues to read in part as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 58b, 66, 1431, 1433, 1436, 
1448, 1459, 1590, 1594, 1623, 1624, 1644, 1644a, 2071 note.
* * * * *


Sec.  122.31  [Amended]

0
4. Amend Sec.  122.31 as follows:
0
a. Remove and reserve paragraph (c)(1)(ii);
0
b. In paragraph (c)(1)(iii), remove the text ``(other than Cuba)''; and
0
c. In paragraph (c)(1)(iv), remove the text ``, (c)(1)(ii)''.

0
5. Amend Sec.  122.42 by revising the introductory sentence of 
paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  122.42  Aircraft entry.

* * * * *
    (d) Exception to entry requirement. An aircraft of a scheduled 
airline which stops only for refueling at the first place of arrival in 
the United States will not be required to enter provided:
* * * * *

Subpart O [Removed and Reserved]

0
6. Remove and reserve subpart O, consisting of Sec. Sec.  122.151 
through 122.158.

Jeh Johnson,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-06371 Filed 3-18-16; 8:45 am]
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                                           14948              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                           accounting would also permit the                        criminal, civil, or regulatory violation to              (vii) From subsection (e)(5)
                                           individual who is the subject of a record               the existence of that investigation and               (Collection of Information) because with
                                           to impede the investigation, to tamper                  reveal investigative interest on the part             the collection of information for law
                                           with witnesses or evidence, and to                      of DHS or another agency. Access to the               enforcement purposes, it is impossible
                                           avoid detection or apprehension, which                  records could permit the individual                   to determine in advance what
                                           would undermine the entire                              who is the subject of a record to impede              information is accurate, relevant, timely,
                                           investigative process.                                  the investigation, and to avoid detection             and complete. Compliance with
                                              (ii) From subsection (e)(8) (Notice on               or apprehension. Amendment of the                     subsection (e)(5) would preclude DHS
                                           Individuals) because compliance would                   records could interfere with ongoing                  agents from using their investigative
                                           interfere with DHS’s ability to obtain,                 investigations and law enforcement                    training and exercise of good judgment
                                           serve, and issue subpoenas, warrants,                   activities and would impose an                        to both conduct and report on
                                           and other law enforcement mechanisms                    unreasonable administrative burden by                 investigations.
                                           that may be filed under seal and could                  requiring investigations to be                           (viii) From subsection (e)(8) (Notice
                                           result in disclosure of investigative                   continually reinvestigated. In addition,              on Individuals) because compliance
                                           techniques, procedures, and evidence.                   permitting access and amendment to                    would interfere with DHS’s ability to
                                              (iii) From subsection (g) (Civil                     such information could disclose                       obtain, serve, and issue subpoenas,
                                           Remedies) to the extent that the system                 security-sensitive information that                   warrants, and other law enforcement
                                           is exempt from other specific                           could be detrimental to homeland                      mechanisms that may be filed under
                                           subsections of the Privacy Act.                         security.                                             seal and could result in disclosure of
                                              (b) Additionally, this system contains                  (iii) From subsection (e)(1) (Relevancy            investigative techniques, procedures,
                                           records or information recompiled from                                                                        and evidence.
                                                                                                   and Necessity of Information) because
                                           or created from information contained                                                                            (ix) From subsection (g) (Civil
                                                                                                   in the course of investigations into
                                           in other systems of records that are                                                                          Remedies) to the extent that the system
                                                                                                   potential violations of federal law, the
                                           exempt from certain provisions of the                                                                         is exempt from other specific
                                                                                                   accuracy of information obtained or
                                           Privacy Act. For these records or                                                                             subsections of the Privacy Act.
                                                                                                   introduced occasionally may be unclear,
                                           information only, the Secretary of
                                                                                                   or the information may not be strictly                *      *     *    *    *
                                           Homeland Security, pursuant to 5
                                                                                                   relevant or necessary to a specific
                                           U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), has exempted this                                                                            Dated: March 2, 2016.
                                                                                                   investigation. In the interests of effective
                                           system from the following provisions of                                                                       Karen L. Neuman,
                                                                                                   law enforcement, it is appropriate to
                                           the Privacy Act: 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3),                                                                         Chief Privacy Officer, Department of
                                           (c)(4); (d)(1)–(4); (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3),             retain all information that may aid in
                                                                                                                                                         Homeland Security.
                                           (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I), (e)(5) and             establishing patterns of unlawful
                                                                                                   activity.                                             [FR Doc. 2016–06233 Filed 3–18–16; 8:45 am]
                                           (e)(8); (f); and (g). Additionally, the                                                                       BILLING CODE 9111–14–P
                                           Secretary of Homeland Security,                            (iv) From subsection (e)(2) (Collection
                                           pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), has                    of Information from Individuals)
                                           exempted this system from the                           because requiring that information be
                                                                                                                                                         DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
                                           following provisions of the Privacy Act,                collected from the subject of an
                                                                                                                                                         SECURITY
                                           5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d)(1)–(4); (e)(1),                investigation would alert the subject to
                                           (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I); and (f).               the nature or existence of the                        8 CFR Part 234
                                           Exemptions from these particular                        investigation, thereby interfering with
                                           subsections are justified, on a case-by-                that investigation and related law                    U.S. Customs and Border Protection
                                           case basis to be determined at the time                 enforcement activities.
                                           a request is made, for the following                       (v) From subsection (e)(3) (Notice to              19 CFR Part 122
                                           reasons:                                                Subjects) because providing such
                                              (i) From subsection (c)(3) and (c)(4)                detailed information could impede law
                                                                                                                                                         [USCBP–2016–0015; CBP Dec 16–06]
                                           (Accounting for Disclosures) because                    enforcement by compromising the
                                           release of the accounting of disclosures                existence of a confidential investigation
                                                                                                   or reveal the identity of witnesses or                RIN 1651–AB10
                                           could alert the subject of an
                                           investigation of an actual or potential                 confidential informants.
                                                                                                                                                         Flights to and From Cuba
                                           criminal, civil, or regulatory violation to                (vi) From subsections (e)(4)(G),
                                           the existence of that investigation and                 (e)(4)(H), and (e)(4)(I) (Agency                      AGENCY:  U.S. Customs and Border
                                           reveal investigative interest on the part               Requirements) and (f) (Agency Rules),                 Protection, DHS.
                                           of DHS as well as the recipient agency.                 because portions of this system are                   ACTION: Interim final rule; request for
                                           Disclosure of the accounting would                      exempt from the individual access                     comments.
                                           therefore present a serious impediment                  provisions of subsection (d) for the
                                           to law enforcement efforts and/or efforts               reasons noted above, and therefore DHS                SUMMARY:    Current U.S. Customs and
                                           to preserve national security. Disclosure               is not required to establish                          Border Protection (CBP) regulations
                                           of the accounting would also permit the                 requirements, rules, or procedures with               contain a separate subpart O addressing
                                           individual who is the subject of a record               respect to such access. Providing notice              flights to and from Cuba. The provisions
                                           to impede the investigation, to tamper                  to individuals with respect to existence              in that subpart are either obsolete due
                                           with witnesses or evidence, and to                      of records pertaining to them in the                  to intervening regulatory changes or are
                                           avoid detection or apprehension, which                  system of records or otherwise setting                duplicative of regulations applicable to
                                           would undermine the entire                              up procedures pursuant to which                       all other similarly situated international
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                                           investigative process.                                  individuals may access and view                       flights. This rule therefore amends the
                                              (ii) From subsection (d) (Access to                  records pertaining to themselves in the               regulations by removing subpart O.
                                           Records) because access to the 6records                 system would undermine investigative                  These amendments are consistent with
                                           contained in this system of records                     efforts and reveal the identities of                  the President’s policy promoting the
                                           could inform the subject of an                          witnesses, potential witnesses, and                   normalization of relations between the
                                           investigation of an actual or potential                 confidential informants.                              United States and Cuba.


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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                     14949

                                           DATES:  This interim final rule is                      relate to air travel between the two                     service between Cuba and the airport.4
                                           effective on March 21, 2016. Comments                   countries.1 The existing regulations                     In response, DHS issued a final rule in
                                           must be received by April 20, 2016.                     pertaining to flights to and from Cuba                   the Federal Register (76 FR 5058) on
                                           ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,                     (codified at 19 CFR part 122, subpart O)                 January 28, 2011, that amended 19 CFR
                                           identified by docket number, by one of                  are no longer needed because they are                    122.153 to allow additional airports to
                                           the following methods:                                  either obsolete in light of intervening                  request approval to accept Cuba flights.
                                              • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://                regulatory changes or substantively                         On December 17, 2014, the President
                                           www.regulations.gov. Follow the                         identical to the general CBP                             announced that the United States would
                                           instructions for submitting comments                    requirements applicable to aircraft                      begin the process of normalizing
                                           via docket number USCBP–2016–0015.                      seeking to fly into or out of the United                 relations with Cuba, including taking
                                              • Mail: Border Security Regulations                  States. Accordingly, DHS is amending                     steps to re-establish diplomatic relations
                                           Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office                 19 CFR part 122 to remove subpart O                      (which occurred on July 20, 2015),
                                           of International Trade, U.S. Customs                    and to make conforming amendments to                     adjust regulations to more effectively
                                           and Border Protection, 90 K Street NE.,                 other provisions.                                        empower the Cuban people, and
                                           10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229–                          Under 19 CFR part 122, subpart O,                     facilitate an expansion of authorized
                                           1177.                                                   only certain CBP-approved airports may                   travel under general licenses for the
                                              Instructions: All submissions received               accept aircraft traveling to or from Cuba.               twelve existing categories of travel to
                                           must include the agency name and                        Section 122.153 (19 CFR 122.153)                         Cuba authorized by law.5 As part of the
                                           docket number for this rulemaking. All                  provides a process by which a port                       President’s new approach to relations
                                           comments received will be posted                        authority must submit a written request                  with Cuba, the Department of the
                                           without change to http://                               to CBP requesting that an airport receive                Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets
                                           www.regulations.gov, including any                      approval to accept flights to or from                    Control (OFAC), and the Department of
                                           personal information provided.                          Cuba. Section 122.153 also contains a                    Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and
                                              Docket: For access to the docket to                  list of approved airports. The remaining                 Security (BIS) have issued five sets of
                                           read background documents or                            sections in subpart O pertain to other                   amendments to the Cuban Assets
                                           comments received, go to http://                        requirements for flights to and from                     Control Regulations (CACR) and Export
                                           www.regulations.gov. Comments                           Cuba, including notice of arrival,                       Administration Regulations (EAR),
                                           submitted will be available for public                  documents to be presented upon arrival,                  respectively.6 In February 2016,
                                           inspection during regular business days                 the release of passengers arriving from                  representatives from the Departments of
                                           between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30                 Cuba, and documents required for                         State and Transportation signed an
                                           p.m. at Regulations and Rulings, Office                 clearance. None of the regulatory                        arrangement with Cuba that provides
                                           of International Trade, U.S. Customs                    requirements that apply specifically to                  the basis for the restoration of scheduled
                                           and Border Protection, 90 K Street NE.,                 flights to and from Cuba is mandated by                  air services between the United States
                                           10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229–                       statute, but rather are authorized by the                and Cuba.7
                                           1177. Arrangements to inspect                           broad authority granted to the Secretary                    In light of these intervening regulatory
                                           submitted comments should be made in                    of Homeland Security respecting all                      changes, the regulations specifically
                                                                                                   aircraft arriving in and departing from                  addressing flights to and from Cuba in
                                           advance by calling Mr. Joseph Clark at
                                                                                                   the United States under 19 U.S.C. 1433,                  19 CFR part 122, subpart O are no
                                           (202) 325–0118.
                                                                                                   1644 and 1644a.2                                         longer necessary. Accordingly, DHS is
                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                           Prior to 2011, only three U.S. airports               removing that subpart. DHS is also
                                           Arthur A.E. Pitts, Sr., U.S. Customs and                were authorized to accept flights to and                 making conforming amendments to
                                           Border Protection, Office of Field                      from Cuba: John F. Kennedy                               certain provisions in titles 8 and 19 of
                                           Operations, by phone at (202) 344–2752                  International Airport, Los Angeles                       the CFR: 8 CFR 234.2, 19 CFR 122.31,
                                           or by email at arthur.a.pitts@                          International Airport, and Miami                         and 19 CFR 122.42. The removal of part
                                           cbp.dhs.gov.                                            International Airport. In 2011, the                      122, subpart O, will make clear that
                                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              President announced a series of changes                  flights to and from Cuba are subject to
                                                                                                   to ease certain restrictions on travel to                the same entry and clearance
                                           Public Participation                                    and from Cuba.3 The announcement                         requirements in 19 CFR part 122 as all
                                              Interested persons are invited to                    stated that the regulation should be                     other similarly situated international
                                           participate in this rulemaking by                       modified to allow a U.S. airport to apply                flights.
                                           submitting written data, views, or                      to accept authorized flights if the airport
                                                                                                                                                            Removal of 19 CFR Part 122, Subpart O
                                           arguments on all aspects of the interim                 has adequate customs and immigration
                                           final rule. DHS also invites comments                   capabilities and if an authorized carrier                  Part 122, subpart O, of title 19 CFR,
                                           that relate to the economic,                            has expressed an interest in providing                   consists of eight sections numbered
                                           environmental, or federalism effects that
                                                                                                                                                              4 Id.
                                           might result from this interim final rule.                1 See Fact Sheet: Charting a New Course on Cuba,
                                                                                                                                                               5 Fact Sheet: Charting a New Course on Cuba, The
                                           Comments that will provide the most                     The White House (Dec. 17, 2014), https://
                                                                                                   www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/17/          White House (Dec. 17, 2014), https://
                                           assistance to DHS will reference a                      statement-president-cuba-policy-changes.                 www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/17/
                                           specific portion of the interim final rule,               2 Specifically, 19 U.S.C. 1433(c) provides that the    fact-sheet-charting-new-course-cuba.
                                           explain the reason for any                              pilot of any aircraft arriving in the United States or      6 See 81 FR 13989 (Mar. 16, 2016), 81 FR 4583

                                           recommended change, and include data,                   the U.S. Virgin Islands from any foreign location is     (Jan. 27, 2016), 80 FR 56915 (Sept. 21, 2015), 80 FR
                                                                                                   required to comply with such advance notification,       34053 (June 15, 2015), and 80 FR 2291 (Jan. 16,
                                           information, or authority that support                  arrival reporting, and landing requirements as           2015) (amending the CACR); 81 FR 13972 (Mar. 16,
                                           such recommended change.
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                                                                                                   regulations may require. Under 19 U.S.C. 1644 and        2016), 81 FR 4580 (Jan. 27, 2016), 80 FR 56898
                                                                                                   1644a, the Secretary can designate ports of entry for    (Sept. 21, 2015), 80 FR 43314 (July 22, 2015), and
                                           Background                                              aircraft and apply vessel entry and clearance laws       80 FR 2286 (Jan. 16, 2015) (amending the EAR).
                                             As part of the President’s new                        and regulations to civil aircraft.                          7 United States, Cuba Sign Arrangement Restoring
                                                                                                     3 Reaching Out to the Cuban People, The White          Scheduled Air Service, U.S. Dep’t of Transp. (Feb.
                                           approach to Cuba policy, DHS and CBP                    House (Jan. 14, 2011), https://www.whitehouse.gov/       16, 2016), https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-
                                           examined their regulations and policies                 the-press-office/2011/01/14/reaching-out-cuban-          room/united-states-cuba-sign-arrangement-
                                           pertaining to Cuba, particularly as they                people.                                                  restoring-scheduled-air-service.



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                                           14950              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                           from 122.151 to 122.158 (19 CFR                         be utilized.’’ 8 As to the authority                          The requirement in § 122.153 that the
                                           122.151–122.158). A description of each                 underlying the new limits, the preamble                    requesting airport must have an OFAC-
                                           section follows, along with an                          stated the rule was being undertaken in                    licensed carrier service provider that is
                                           explanation as to why it is no longer                   accordance with regulations                                prepared to provide flights between the
                                           necessary, desirable, or consistent with                propounded by the Federal Aviation                         airport and Cuba is obsolete. OFAC no
                                           the U.S. government’s current approach                  Administration (14 CFR 91.101), the                        longer requires an air carrier to obtain
                                           towards Cuba.                                           Immigration and Naturalization Service                     a specific license to provide carrier
                                              Section 122.151 (19 CFR 122.151)                     (8 CFR parts 231 and 239), and the                         services to or from Cuba. Rather, an air
                                           consists of two definitions, one for the                Department of Commerce (15 CFR                             carrier may fly to or from Cuba pursuant
                                           ‘‘United States’’ and one for ‘‘Cuba,’’                 371.19). None of these authorities limits                  to a general license under the CACR, so
                                           which apply within subpart O. The                       the number of airports that can service                    long as the air carrier is providing
                                           definition for the ‘‘United States’’ is                 flights to or from Cuba or requires an                     carrier services in connection with
                                           duplicative of the one in 19 CFR                        application process to qualify airports to                 travel or transportation of persons,
                                           122.1(l), and is therefore unnecessary.                 service Cuban flights in particular.                       baggage, or cargo that is itself authorized
                                           ‘‘Cuba’’ is not defined in 19 CFR 122.1,                   DHS has determined that the approval                    under the CACR, 31 CFR part 515, and
                                           but this definition is also unnecessary in              process set forth in § 122.153(b) is no                    is no longer required to obtain a specific
                                           light of the removal of the special                     longer necessary because the criteria for                  license from OFAC.10 See 31 CFR
                                           regulations governing flights to and                    obtaining approval to accept flights to                    515.317 and 515.572(a).
                                           from Cuba.                                              and from Cuba are not materially                              Accordingly, by eliminating
                                              Section 122.152 (19 CFR 122.152),                    different than the requirements                            § 122.153, CBP will make clear that it
                                           regarding the application of subpart O,                 applicable to all other similarly situated                 follows the same process in certifying
                                           provides that the subpart applies to all                airports and aircraft operators seeking to                 flights to and from Cuba as it does with
                                           aircraft entering or departing the United               conduct international flights. In                          all international flights. Aircraft
                                           States to or from Cuba, except for public               evaluating requests by aircraft for                        operators will be required to follow the
                                           aircraft. As explained below, the other                 permission to land at an international,                    usual procedures for international
                                           sections in subpart O are unnecessary,                  landing rights or user fee airport, CBP                    flights found in governing law,
                                           so there is no longer a need for this                   researches and evaluates the impact on                     including the regulations in 19 CFR part
                                           section.                                                the overall operations at a given airport                  122, subpart B, for obtaining permission
                                              Section 122.153 (19 CFR 122.153)                     regardless of its classification. CBP also                 to land and to secure new international
                                           covers the limitation on airports of entry              evaluates, in consultation with the                        routes. The specific requirements vary
                                           and departure for flights to and from                   airport authority where appropriate, the                   depending on whether the airport is an
                                           Cuba. Under this section, flights to or                 ability of the proposed airport to handle                  international airport, a landing rights
                                           from Cuba are limited to the Miami                      the flight, travelers, baggage, and cargo.                 airport, or a user fee airport. See 19 CFR
                                           International Airport, John F. Kennedy                  CBP ensures that each airport for which                    122.11–122.13 (international airports);
                                           International Airport, Los Angeles                      a new international flight is requested is                 122.14 (landing rights airports); 122.15
                                           International Airport, or any other                     equipped to facilitate passport control                    (user fee airports).
                                           airport approved by CBP according to                    and baggage inspection, and has the                           Section 122.154 (19 CFR 122.154) sets
                                           the procedures in paragraph (b).                        appropriate infrastructure to properly                     forth notice of arrival requirements.
                                           Paragraph (b) of § 122.153 outlines the                 service the plane from the runway to its                   This section provides that all aircraft
                                           approval process, which allows an                       assigned gate.9                                            entering the United States from Cuba
                                           international airport, landing rights                                                                              (except for OFAC-approved scheduled
                                                                                                     8 45  FR 29247 (May 1, 1980).
                                           airport, or user fee airport to request                                                                            commercial aircraft of a scheduled
                                                                                                     9 Certain  aircraft arriving from areas south of the
                                           CBP approval to become an airport of                                                                               airline) must give advance notice of
                                                                                                   United States are subject to a modified process.
                                           entry and departure for aircraft traveling              Such flights are subject to specific notice of arrival     arrival, not less than one hour before
                                           to and from Cuba. Under this process,                   requirements and must land at the airport listed           crossing the U.S. coast or border. The
                                           CBP would determine whether the                         under 19 CFR 122.24(b) that is nearest the point at        notice must provide the type of aircraft;
                                                                                                   which the aircraft crosses the border, unless an           name of the aircraft commander;
                                           airport is properly equipped to facilitate              overflight exemption is granted. See 19 CFR
                                           passport control and baggage inspection                 122.23–122.25. In designating the airports listed in       number of U.S. citizen and alien
                                           and whether there is an OFAC licensed                   19 CFR 122.24(b), CBP has determined that these            passengers; place of last foreign
                                           carrier that is prepared to provide flights             airports have adequate facilities and resources            departure; estimated time of crossing
                                                                                                   available to inspect and process aircraft subject to       the border; and estimated time of
                                           between the airport and Cuba.                           the regulation and their attendant crew, passengers,
                                           Approved airports are listed on the CBP                 and cargo. If an exemption is sought pursuant to 19        arrival. Section 122.154 is being
                                           Web site and in updates to a list of                    CFR 122.25, CBP considers whether the proposed             removed as it is redundant with other
                                           approved airports in paragraph (c) of                   destination airport has adequate resources to handle       provisions within part 122. Generally,
                                                                                                   the flight, travelers, baggage, and cargo, just as it      all inbound aircraft (not just those
                                           § 122.153.                                              considers these factors when deciding whether to
                                              The limitations regarding airports                   grant permission to land a new international flight        arriving from Cuba) are required to
                                           authorized to provide flights to and                    that is not subject to 19 CFR 122.24. This modified
                                                                                                   process does not apply to (1) public aircraft, (2)            10 According to OFAC, ‘‘A general license
                                           from Cuba are not required by statute.
                                                                                                   aircraft operated on a regularly published schedule,       authorizes persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to
                                           The regulation, now codified at 19 CFR                  pursuant to a certificate of public convenience and        provide carrier services by vessel or aircraft to,
                                           122.153, was originally promulgated in                  necessity or foreign aircraft permit issued by the         from, or within Cuba, in connection with
                                           1980 and appeared at 19 CFR 6.3a. The                   Department of Transportation, authorizing                  authorized travel, without the need for a specific
                                           preamble for the Federal Register                       interstate, overseas air transportation; or (3) aircraft   license.’’ Frequently Asked Questions Related to
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                                                                                                   with a seating capacity of more than 30 passengers         Cuba, U.S. Department of Treasury (last updated
                                           document implementing the regulation                    or a maximum payload capacity of more than 7,500           Mar. 15, 2016), https://www.treasury.gov/resource-
                                           stated that ‘‘[b]ecause of the present                  pounds which are engaged in air transportation for         center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_
                                           situation involving aliens attempting to                compensation or hire on demand. See 19 CFR                 new.pdf. See also 31 CFR 501.801(a) (‘‘General
                                           reach the U.S. from Cuba, there is                      122.23(a). With the removal of 19 CFR part 122,            licenses have been issued authorizing under
                                                                                                   subpart O, the requirements in 19 CFR 122.23–              appropriate terms and conditions certain types of
                                           serious reason to believe that unsafe and               122.25 would apply to flights to and from Cuba that        transactions which are subject to the prohibitions
                                           unlawful means of transportation will                   fall within the scope of those regulations.                contained in this chapter.’’).



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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                      14951

                                           provide notice to CBP prior to arriving                 requirement that all arriving persons                     the aircraft departing the United States
                                           in the United States. Section 122.22 (19                report to a Customs officer and that all                  for Cuba meets the ‘‘temporary sojourn’’
                                           CFR 122.22) generally requires all                      aliens seeking admission undergo                          definition to qualify for the license
                                           private aircraft pilots to transmit notice              immigration inspection is set forth in                    exception, there is no license
                                           of arrival and manifest information to                  various provisions in the United States                   requirement imposed on such aircraft.
                                           CBP at least 60 minutes prior to                        Code and titles 19 and 8 of the CFR.14                    Second, clearance requirements for all
                                           departure of the aircraft from the foreign              Clearance of aircraft departing the                       international flights are currently
                                           port or place.11 The data required under                United States is covered generally in 19                  covered under 19 CFR part 122,
                                           § 122.22 includes the data required                     CFR part 122, subparts F, G, H and I.                     subparts C, F, G and H. 22 CFR part 123,
                                           under § 122.154. Section 122.23 (19 CFR                    Section 122.157 (19 CFR 122.157) sets                  which pertains to the importation or
                                           122.23) requires similar notice of arrival              forth the documents that are required to                  exportation of certain defense articles,
                                           information for certain non-public                      clear an aircraft for departure. Under                    contains other potential requirements
                                           aircraft arriving from locations south of               this section, the aircraft commander                      for clearance. These requirements,
                                           the United States. Section 122.31 (19                   must present documents required by                        however, are not specific to flights to
                                           CFR 122.31) requires advance notice of                  subpart H and a license issued by the                     and from Cuba and would apply
                                           arrival from all other aircraft, with the               Department of Commerce under 15 CFR                       regardless of the removal of 19 CFR part
                                           exception of aircraft of a scheduled                    371.19 or by the Department of State                      122, subpart O.
                                           airline arriving under a regular                        under 22 CFR part 123. This section is                       Section 122.158 (19 CFR 122.158)
                                           schedule. In addition, 19 CFR 122.49a,                  outdated and is no longer necessary.                      states that all other provisions of part
                                           122.49b, 122.49c, and 8 CFR 231.1(a)                    First, 15 CFR 371.19 no longer exists.                    122 relating to entry and clearance of
                                           require commercial carriers to transmit                 Under the current regulations, flights on                 aircraft are applicable to aircraft subject
                                           electronic manifest information for all                 a ‘‘temporary sojourn’’ to or from Cuba                   to subpart O. This section is duplicative
                                           passengers and crew.                                    generally qualify for a license exception                 of 19 CFR 122.0(a), which provides that
                                              Section 122.155 (19 CFR 122.155)                     under the EAR provided they meet                          the regulations in part 122 relate to the
                                           requires the aircraft commander of a                    certain conditions, which are                             entry and clearance of aircraft and the
                                           flight arriving from Cuba to present to                 administered by BIS. In general, flying                   transportation of persons and cargo by
                                           CBP the manifest required by 8 CFR                      an aircraft to Cuba, even temporarily,                    aircraft, and are applicable to all air
                                           231.1(b),12 and the documents required                  constitutes an export or re-export to                     commerce.
                                           by subpart E of 19 CFR part 122, upon                   Cuba.15 However, the governing EAR                           For the reasons discussed above, DHS
                                           arrival in the United States. As                        provision authorizes departure from the                   has determined that 19 CFR part 122,
                                           § 122.155 merely cross-references                       United States of foreign registry civil                   subpart O is no longer necessary to
                                           subpart E of 19 CFR part 122 and 8 CFR                  aircraft on temporary sojourn in the                      regulate air travel to and from Cuba due
                                           231.1(b), the information referred to in                United States and of U.S. civil aircraft                  to changes in the regulatory
                                           this section is already required of all                 for temporary sojourn abroad.16 Thus, if                  requirements governing travel and trade
                                           aircraft that are subject to the cited                                                                            between the United States and Cuba,
                                           provisions. Furthermore, 19 CFR 122.22                  Naturalization Service (INS) of the Department of         and the implementation of robust
                                           imposes electronic manifest                             Justice and the legacy Customs Service of the             reporting requirements that apply to
                                                                                                   Department of the Treasury were transferred to DHS        international flights generally.
                                           requirements on private aircraft that are               and reorganized to become CBP, U.S. Immigration
                                           commensurate with the electronic                        and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S.
                                                                                                                                                             Therefore, DHS is amending 19 CFR
                                           manifest requirements for commercial                    Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). All         part 122 to remove 19 CFR part 122,
                                           aircraft contained in subpart E.                        inspectional functions previously assigned to legacy      subpart O, pertaining to flights to and
                                                                                                   INS were transferred to DHS. As provided in 6             from Cuba. Flights to and from Cuba
                                              Section 122.156 (19 CFR 122.156)                     U.S.C. 552(d), references relating to an agency that
                                           concerns the release of passengers and                  is transferred to DHS in statutes, executive orders,
                                                                                                                                                             will continue to be subject to the
                                           aircraft. This section provides that                    rules, regulations, directives, or delegations of         remaining entry and clearance
                                           neither passengers arriving from Cuba,                  authority that precede the effective date of the HSA      requirements in 19 CFR part 122, as
                                                                                                   are deemed to refer to DHS, its officers, employees,      well as all other legal requirements
                                           nor the aircraft, will be released by                   or agents, or to its corresponding organizational
                                           Customs before the passengers are                       units or functions.
                                                                                                                                                             relating to travel and trade between the
                                           released by the Immigration and                            14 See, e.g., 19 U.S.C. 1459(b) and (d) (requiring     United States and Cuba including, but
                                           Naturalization Service or a Customs                     all individuals arriving aboard a reported                not limited to, the CACR and the EAR.
                                           officer acting on behalf of that agency.                conveyance to report to the designated customs
                                                                                                   facility and prohibiting departure from the facility      Conforming Amendments
                                           This section is outdated due to the                     until authorized to do so by the appropriate
                                           reorganization in 2002 which prompted                                                                                DHS is amending various sections in
                                                                                                   customs officer); 8 U.S.C. 235(a) (requiring all aliens
                                           the creation of CBP, in which customs                   who are applicants for admission or otherwise             title 8 CFR and title 19 CFR to bring
                                           and immigration functions were                          seeking admission or readmission to the United            these sections into conformity with the
                                           consolidated.13 Moreover, the
                                                                                                   States to undergo an immigration inspection); 8           removal of 19 CFR part 122, subpart O.
                                                                                                   CFR 235.1(a) (requiring application to lawfully           These amendments are described below.
                                                                                                   enter the United States to be made in person to an
                                              11 If the United States is not the original          immigration officer at a U.S. port-of-entry); and 8          Section 234.2 of title 8 (8 CFR 234.2)
                                           destination and the flight is diverted to the United    CFR 234.2(c) (prohibiting aircraft carrying               sets forth landing requirements for
                                           States due to an emergency, the information is          passengers or crew required to be inspected from          aircraft carrying passengers or crew
                                           required no later than 30 minutes prior to arrival.     discharging or permitting to depart any passenger         required to be inspected under the
                                           19 CFR 122.22(b)(2)(ii).                                or crewman without permission from an
                                              12 While 19 CFR 122.155 refers to the manifest       immigration officer).                                     Immigration and Nationality Act.
                                           required by 8 CFR 231.1(b), § 231.1(b) actually            15 Cuba, Bureau of Industry and Security,              Section 234.2(a) specifies the general
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                                           requires the submission of a properly completed         https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/policy-
                                           Arrival/Departure Record, Form I–94 for each            guidance/country-guidance/sanctioned-                     licensing requirements for aircraft on a temporary
                                           arriving passenger, with certain exceptions;            destinations/cuba (last accessed Feb. 24, 2016); see      sojourn to or from the United States, reflecting a
                                           § 231.1(a) requires the submission of an electronic     also 15 CFR 746.2(a) (requiring a license to export       prior regulatory regime that relied on general
                                           manifest.                                               or re-export all items subject to the EAR to Cuba,        licenses, rather than license exceptions. See 61 FR
                                              13 Pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002,    except as provided in the regulation).                    12714, 12778 (Mar. 25, 1996) (interim rule replacing
                                           Public Law 107–296, 116 Stat. 2135 (HSA), as of            16 15 CFR 740.15. Former 15 CFR 371.19, which          general license requirement with license
                                           March 1, 2003, the legacy Immigration and               is referenced in 19 CFR 122.157, described general        exceptions).



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                                           14952              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                           requirements regarding the place of                     involving Cuba unless authorized by                      impracticable, unnecessary or contrary
                                           landing for such aircraft and also                      OFAC. As mentioned before, air carriers                  to the public interest.20
                                           includes a special requirement for                      are authorized to provide service to and                    This interim final rule is excluded
                                           flights to and from Cuba. Specifically,                 from Cuba under a ‘‘general license’’ so                 from the rulemaking provisions of 5
                                           the last sentence in § 234.2(a) specifies               long as the air carrier complies with the                U.S.C. 553 as a foreign affairs function
                                           that aircraft carrying passengers or crew               terms and conditions of the general                      of the United States because it concerns
                                           required to be inspected on flights                     license.                                                 international flights between the United
                                           originating in Cuba land only at airports                  BIS administers the EAR, 15 CFR                       States and Cuba, consistent with U.S.
                                           that have been authorized by CBP                        parts 730 through 774, which prohibit                    foreign policy goals. These amendments
                                           pursuant to 19 CFR 122.153 as an                        certain exports and re-exports to Cuba                   to clarify and simplify the regulations
                                           airport of entry for flights arriving from              unless authorized by a license or license                regarding air travel between the United
                                           Cuba, unless advance permission to                      exception. As discussed above, flying an                 States and Cuba are consistent with the
                                           land elsewhere has been obtained from                   aircraft to Cuba constitutes an export or                President’s continued effort to
                                           the Office of Field Operations at CBP                   re-export under the EAR, but certain                     normalize relations between the two
                                           Headquarters. DHS is amending                           flights on a ‘‘temporary sojourn’’ qualify               countries.
                                           § 234.2(a) to remove the last sentence.                 for a license exception. An aircraft that                   Accordingly, DHS is not required to
                                              Section 122.31 of title 19 (19 CFR                   fails to qualify for the ‘‘temporary                     provide public notice and an
                                           122.31) sets forth notice of arrival                    sojourn’’ license exception under 15                     opportunity to comment before
                                           requirements for aircraft entering the                                                                           implementing the requirements under
                                                                                                   CFR 740.15 may require an individually
                                           United States from a foreign area.                                                                               this interim final rule.
                                                                                                   validated license under the EAR in
                                           Paragraph (c)(1)(ii) specifies that aircraft                                                                        In addition, with respect to the
                                                                                                   order to depart the United States for                    removal of the regulations in 19 CFR
                                           arriving from Cuba must follow the                      Cuba. Baggage and cargo onboard the
                                           advance notice of arrival procedures set                                                                         part 122, subpart O, that are duplicative
                                                                                                   aircraft may also require a license if it                of the entry and clearance requirements
                                           forth in § 122.154 in part 122, subpart O.              does not qualify for a license exception
                                           Paragraph (c)(1)(iii) specifies that                                                                             in the rest of part 122, DHS finds that
                                                                                                   under the EAR.                                           good cause exists for dispensing with
                                           certain aircraft arriving from areas south
                                           of the United States (other than Cuba)                     Additionally, an aircraft traveling                   the prior notice and comment procedure
                                           must follow the notice of arrival                       between the United States and Cuba                       as unnecessary under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B)
                                           procedures set forth in § 122.23 in part                may require a license from other federal                 and for dispensing with the requirement
                                           122. As a result of removing subpart O,                 agencies, as applicable, and must obtain                 for a delayed effective date under 5
                                           flights arriving from Cuba will now give                economic and safety authorizations to                    U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The Department,
                                           advance notice of arrival in accordance                 provide air transportation service as an                 however, is interested in public
                                           with the other provisions in 19 CFR part                air carrier from the Office of the                       comments on this interim final rule and,
                                           122. Accordingly, DHS is removing                       Secretary of Transportation and the                      therefore, is providing the public with
                                           paragraph (c)(1)(ii) from § 122.31 and                  Federal Aviation Administration. Air                     the opportunity to comment without
                                           making other conforming amendments                      carriers and other commercial operators                  delaying implementation of this rule.
                                           to paragraph (c)(1).                                    are required to adopt and implement the                  All comments received will become a
                                              Section 122.42 of title 19 (19 CFR                   security requirements established by the                 matter of the public record.
                                           122.42) sets forth certain aircraft entry               Transportation Security Administration                      In addition, DHS does not consider
                                           requirements. Paragraph (d) provides                    for individuals, property, and cargo                     this rule to be a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                           that an aircraft of a scheduled airline                 aboard aircraft (see 49 CFR chapter XII,                 action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
                                           which stops only for refueling at the                   subchapter C (Civil Aviation Security)).                 section 3(f), Regulatory Planning and
                                           first place or arrival in the United States             Inapplicability of Notice and Delayed                    Review. Rules involving the foreign
                                           shall not be required to enter provided                 Effective Date Requirements, the                         affairs function of the United States are
                                           it meets certain conditions, except for                 Regulatory Flexibility Act, and                          exempt from the requirements of
                                           flights to Cuba (provided for in subpart                Executive Order 12866                                    Executive Order 12866. As discussed
                                           O of this part). To conform with the                                                                             above, DHS is of the opinion that
                                           removal of subpart O, DHS is removing                      The Administrative Procedure Act                      clarifying and simplifying the
                                           this exception language from paragraph                  (APA) requirements in 5 U.S.C. 553                       regulations regarding restrictions on
                                           (d) of § 122.42.                                        govern agency rulemaking procedures.                     travel between the United States and
                                                                                                   The APA generally requires that an                       Cuba is a foreign affairs function of the
                                           Additional Requirements for Aircraft                    agency provide prior notice and an                       United States Government and as such,
                                           Traveling to or From Cuba                               opportunity for public comment before                    this rule is exempt from the
                                             All aircraft entering/departing the                   issuing a final rule.17 The APA also                     requirements of Executive Order 12866.
                                           United States from/to Cuba must be                      requires that a final rule have a 30-day                 Finally, because DHS is of the opinion
                                           properly licensed or otherwise                          delayed effective date.18 The APA                        that this rule is not subject to the
                                           authorized to travel between the United                 provides a full exemption from the                       requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553, DHS does
                                           States and Cuba. Several federal                        requirements of section 553 for rules                    not consider this rule to be subject to
                                           agencies administer the necessary                       involving a foreign affairs function of                  the provisions of the Regulatory
                                           authorizations, and it is the                           the United States.19 The APA also                        Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
                                           responsibility of the owner or person in                provides an exception from the prior
                                           command of the aircraft to ensure that                  notice and public comment requirement                    Signing Authority
                                           the aircraft has the necessary                          and the delayed effective date                              This interim final rule is being issued
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                                           authorization to travel.                                requirement if the agency for good cause                 in accordance with 8 CFR 2.1 and 19
                                             OFAC administers the CACR, 31 CFR                     finds that such procedures are                           CFR 0.2(a). Accordingly, this interim
                                           part 515, which prohibit, in relevant                                                                            final rule is signed by the Secretary of
                                           part, all persons subject to the                          17 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (c).                            Homeland Security.
                                           jurisdiction of the United States from                    18 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
                                           engaging in travel-related transactions                   19 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1).                                   20 5   U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 553(d)(3).



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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                           14953

                                           List of Subjects                                        Subpart O [Removed and Reserved]                      Office of the Assistant Secretary, Export
                                                                                                                                                         Administration, Bureau of Industry and
                                           8 CFR Part 234                                          ■ 6. Remove and reserve subpart O,                    Security, Department of Commerce,
                                             Air carriers, Aircraft, Airports, Aliens,             consisting of §§ 122.151 through                      Phone: (202) 482–5991, Fax: (202) 482–
                                           Cuba.                                                   122.158.                                              3911, Email: ERC@bis.doc.gov.
                                                                                                   Jeh Johnson,                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                           19 CFR Part 122
                                                                                                   Secretary.                                            Background
                                              Administrative practice and                          [FR Doc. 2016–06371 Filed 3–18–16; 8:45 am]
                                           procedure, Air carriers, Aircraft,                                                                               The Entity List (Supplement No. 4 to
                                                                                                   BILLING CODE 9111–14–P
                                           Airports, Alcohol and alcoholic                                                                               part 744) identifies entities and other
                                           beverages, Cigars and cigarettes, Cuba,                                                                       persons reasonably believed to be
                                           Customs duties and inspection, Drug                                                                           involved, or to pose a significant risk of
                                                                                                   DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                being or becoming involved, in
                                           traffic control, Freight, Penalties,
                                           Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                                   activities contrary to the national
                                                                                                   Bureau of Industry and Security
                                           requirements, Security measures.                                                                              security or foreign policy interests of the
                                                                                                   15 CFR Part 744                                       United States. The EAR imposes
                                           Amendments to the Regulations                                                                                 additional license requirements on, and
                                             For the reason stated in the preamble,                [Docket No. 160229152–6152–01]                        limits the availability of most license
                                           8 CFR part 234 and 19 CFR part 122 are                  RIN 0694–AG87                                         exceptions for, exports, reexports, and
                                           amended as set forth below.                                                                                   transfers (in-country) to those listed.
                                                                                                   Addition of Certain Persons and                       The ‘‘license review policy’’ for each
                                           8 CFR Chapter 1                                                                                               listed entity or other person is identified
                                                                                                   Modification to Entries on the Entity
                                           PART 234—DESIGNATION OF PORTS                           List; and Removal of Certain Persons                  in the License Review Policy column on
                                           OF ENTRY FOR ALIENS ARRIVING BY                         From the Entity List                                  the Entity List and the impact on the
                                           CIVIL AIRCRAFT                                                                                                availability of license exceptions is
                                                                                                   AGENCY:  Bureau of Industry and                       described in the Federal Register notice
                                                                                                   Security, Commerce.                                   adding entities or other persons to the
                                           ■ 1. The general authority for part 234                 ACTION: Final rule.
                                           continues to read as follows:                                                                                 Entity List. BIS places entities and other
                                                                                                   SUMMARY:    This rule amends the Export               persons on the Entity List pursuant to
                                             Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1221, 1229; 8                                                                     sections of part 744 (Control Policy:
                                           CFR part 2.                                             Administration Regulations (EAR) by
                                                                                                   adding forty-four persons under forty-                End-User and End-Use Based) and part
                                           § 234.2    [Amended]                                    nine entries to the Entity List. The forty-           746 (Embargoes and Other Special
                                                                                                   four persons who are added to the                     Controls) of the EAR.
                                           ■ 2. Amend § 234.2 by removing the last                                                                          The ERC, composed of representatives
                                           sentence of paragraph (a).                              Entity List have been determined by the
                                                                                                   U.S. Government to be acting contrary                 of the Departments of Commerce
                                           19 CFR Chapter 1                                        to the national security or foreign policy            (Chair), State, Defense, Energy and,
                                                                                                   interests of the United States. These                 where appropriate, the Treasury, makes
                                           PART 122—AIR COMMERCE                                   forty-four persons will be listed on the              all decisions regarding additions to,
                                           REGULATIONS                                             Entity List under the destinations of                 removals from, or other modifications to
                                                                                                   China, Germany, Hong Kong, India,                     the Entity List. The ERC makes all
                                           ■ 3. The authority citation for part 122                Iran, Malaysia, the Netherlands,                      decisions to add an entry to the Entity
                                           continues to read in part as follows:                   Singapore, Switzerland, and the United                List by majority vote and all decisions
                                             Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 58b, 66,           Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).                               to remove or modify an entry by
                                           1431, 1433, 1436, 1448, 1459, 1590, 1594,                  This final rule also removes five                  unanimous vote.
                                           1623, 1624, 1644, 1644a, 2071 note.                     entities from the Entity List under the               ERC Entity List Decisions
                                           *      *     *       *       *                          destinations of Ukraine and the U.A.E.,
                                                                                                   as the result of requests for removal                 Additions to the Entity List
                                           § 122.31   [Amended]                                    received by BIS, a review of information                 This rule implements the decision of
                                           ■ 4. Amend § 122.31 as follows:                         provided in the removal requests in                   the ERC to add forty-four persons under
                                           ■ a. Remove and reserve paragraph                       accordance with the procedure for                     forty-nine entries to the Entity List.
                                           (c)(1)(ii);                                             requesting removal or modification of                 These forty-four persons are being
                                                                                                   an Entity List entity and further review              added on the basis of § 744.11 (License
                                           ■ b. In paragraph (c)(1)(iii), remove the
                                                                                                   conducted by the End-User Review                      requirements that apply to entities
                                           text ‘‘(other than Cuba)’’; and
                                                                                                   Committee (ERC).                                      acting contrary to the national security
                                           ■ c. In paragraph (c)(1)(iv), remove the                   Finally, this final rule modifies two              or foreign policy interests of the United
                                           text ‘‘, (c)(1)(ii)’’.                                  existing entries in the Entity List, both             States) of the EAR. The forty-nine
                                           ■ 5. Amend § 122.42 by revising the                     under the destination of China. These                 entries added to the entity list consist of
                                           introductory sentence of paragraph (d)                  entries are being modified to reflect                 eight entries in China, four entries in
                                           to read as follows:                                     additional aliases and addresses for                  Germany, three entries in Hong Kong,
                                                                                                   these persons. BIS implements this rule               one entry in India, two entries in Iran,
                                           § 122.42   Aircraft entry.                              to protect U.S. national security or                  five entries in Malaysia, two entries in
                                           *     *     *     *    *                                foreign policy interests and to ensure                the Netherlands, one entry in Singapore,
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                                             (d) Exception to entry requirement.                   entries on the Entity List are accurate               one entry in Switzerland and twenty-
                                           An aircraft of a scheduled airline which                and up-to-date.                                       two entries in the U.A.E. There are
                                           stops only for refueling at the first place             DATES: This rule is effective March 21,               forty-nine entries for the forty-four
                                           of arrival in the United States will not                2016.                                                 persons because four persons are listed
                                           be required to enter provided:                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      in multiple locations, resulting in five
                                           *     *     *     *    *                                Chair, End-User Review Committee,                     additional entries.


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Document Created: 2016-03-19 01:00:29
Document Modified: 2016-03-19 01:00:29
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionInterim final rule; request for comments.
DatesThis interim final rule is effective on March 21, 2016. Comments must be received by April 20, 2016.
ContactArthur A.E. Pitts, Sr., U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, by phone at (202) 344-2752 or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 14948 
RIN Number1651-AB10
CFR Citation19 CFR 122
8 CFR 234
CFR AssociatedAdministrative Practice and Procedure; Alcohol and Alcoholic Beverages; Cigars and Cigarettes; Customs Duties and Inspection; Drug Traffic Control; Freight; Penalties; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Security Measures; Air Carriers; Aircraft; Airports; Aliens and Cuba

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