81_FR_54073 81 FR 53916 - Import Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Syria

81 FR 53916 - Import Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Syria

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

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 157 (August 15, 2016)

Page Range53916-53921
FR Document2016-19491

This document amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect the imposition of import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological material of Syria pursuant to the Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act. This document also contains the Designated List of Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Syria that describes the types of objects or categories of archaeological or ethnological material that are subject to import restrictions, if unlawfully removed from Syria on or after March 15, 2011.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 157 (Monday, August 15, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 157 (Monday, August 15, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53916-53921]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19491]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

19 CFR Part 12

[CBP Dec. 16-10]
RIN 1515-AE14


Import Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological and Ethnological 
Material of Syria

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP) regulations to reflect the imposition of import restrictions on 
archaeological and ethnological material of Syria pursuant to the 
Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act. This document 
also contains the Designated List of Archaeological and Ethnological 
Material of Syria that describes the types of objects or categories of 
archaeological or ethnological material that are subject to import 
restrictions, if unlawfully removed from Syria on or after March 15, 
2011.

DATES: Effective Date: August 15, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For legal aspects, Lisa L. Burley, 
Chief, Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted Merchandise Branch, 
Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, (202) 325-0215. For 
operational aspects, William R. Scopa, Branch Chief, Partner Government 
Agency Branch, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of Trade, (202) 863-
6554, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    United Nations Security Council Resolution 2199, adopted on 
February 12, 2015, condemns the destruction of cultural heritage in 
Syria, particularly by the terrorist organizations Islamic State in 
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Nusrah Front (ANF), and obligates all 
member nations to assist in the protection of Syria's cultural 
heritage. Paragraph 17 of the Resolution states that all Member States 
shall take appropriate steps to prevent the trade in Syrian cultural 
property and other items of archaeological, historical, cultural, rare 
scientific, and religious importance illegally removed from Syria since 
March 15, 2011, including by prohibiting cross-border trade in such 
items, thereby allowing for their eventual safe return to the Syrian 
people. The United States strongly supported this Resolution because 
``this resolution both cuts off a source of ISIL revenue and helps 
protect an irreplaceable cultural heritage, of the region and of the 
world.'' See ``Explanation of Vote at a Security Council Session on 
Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist 
Threats,'' Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to 
the United Nations, New York City, February 12, 2015.
    For decades, the United States has shared the international concern 
for the need to protect endangered cultural property. The appearance in 
the United States of stolen or illegally exported artifacts from other 
countries where there has been pillage has, on occasion, strained our 
foreign and cultural relations. This situation, combined with the 
concerns of museum, archaeological, and scholarly communities, was 
recognized by the President and Congress. It became apparent that it 
was in the national interest of the United States to join with other 
countries to suppress illegal trafficking of such objects in 
international commerce.
    The United States joined international efforts and actively 
participated in deliberations resulting in the 1970 United Nations 
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention 
on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export 
and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (823 U.N.T.S. 231 
(1972)). In 1983, pursuant to its international obligations arising 
under the 1970 UNESCO Convention, the United States enacted the 
Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (Pub. L. 97-446, 19 
U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) (CCPIA). Implementation of the 1970 UNESCO 
Convention through the CCPIA promotes U.S. leadership in achieving 
greater international cooperation toward preserving cultural treasures 
that are of importance to the nations from which they originate and 
greater international understanding of mankind's common heritage.
    Since 1983, import restrictions have been imposed on archaeological 
and ethnological material from a number of States Parties to the 1970 
Convention. These restrictions have been imposed as a result of 
requests received from those nations under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO 
Convention and pursuant to provisions of the CCPIA that allow for 
emergency action and international agreements between the United States 
and other countries.

[[Page 53917]]

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

    The Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act (Pub. 
L. 114-151) (``the Act'') directs the President to exercise the 
authority of the President under section 304 of the CCPIA (19 U.S.C. 
2603) to impose import restrictions set forth in section 307 of the 
CCPIA (19 U.S.C. 2606) with respect to any archaeological or 
ethnological material of Syria not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of the Act, without regard to whether Syria is a State Party 
to the 1970 UNESCO Convention, and without the need for a formal 
request from the Government of Syria. Section 3(c) of the Act provides 
that the President is authorized to waive the import restrictions.
    On August 2, 2016, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State, acting pursuant to delegated 
authority under the Act, made a Decision that, pursuant to the CCPIA, 
import restrictions be imposed with respect to any archaeological and 
ethnological material of Syria, as defined in the Act.
    More information on import restrictions may be obtained from the 
Cultural Property Protection section of the Department of State's 
Cultural Heritage Center Web site (http://culturalheritage.state.gov/). 
Importation of designated archaeological and ethnological material of 
Syria is restricted unless the conditions set forth in 19 U.S.C. 2606 
and 19 CFR 12.104c are met. Below is the Designated List of 
Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Syria that describes the 
types of objects or categories of archaeological or ethnological 
material that are subject to import restrictions, if unlawfully removed 
from Syria on or after March 15, 2011. This list was prepared in 
consultation with the Department of State pursuant to section 305 of 
the CCPIA (19 U.S.C. 2604).

Designated List of Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Syria

Table of Contents

I. Stone
II. Metal
III. Ceramic, Clay, and Faience
IV. Wood
V. Glass
VI. Ivory, Bone, and Shell
VII. Plaster and Stucco
VIII. Textile
IX. Parchment, Paper, and Leather
X. Painting and Drawing
XI. Mosaic
XII. Writing

Chronology

    The archaeological and ethnological material of Syria represent the 
following periods and cultures: Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron 
Ages, Persian, Greco-Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic until the end of the 
Ottoman Period, a total span from roughly 1,000,000 BC to 1920 AD. 
Syria has been home to a range of diverse cultures, resulting in a vast 
array of archaeological and ethnological material in a variety of 
media. The import restriction covers all archaeological and 
ethnological material of Syria (as defined in section 302 of the 
Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 2601)), 
including but not limited to the following types of material.

I. Stone

    A. Sculpture
    1. Architectural elements, from temples, tombs, palaces, 
commemorative monuments, and domestic architecture, including columns, 
capitals, bases, lintels, jambs, friezes, pilasters, engaged columns, 
waterspouts, door leaves, mihrabs (prayer niches), fountains, and 
blocks from walls, floors, and ceilings. Often decorated in relief with 
pre-Classical (especially Neo-Hittite and Assyrian), Greco-Roman, 
Christian, and Islamic ornamental motifs and inscriptions. The most 
common architectural stones are limestone, basalt, and marble.
    2. Statues, large- and small-scale, often depicting human, 
mythological, and animal subjects, in a great variety of styles, 
including but not limited to Sumerian, Assyrian, Neo-Hittite, 
Hellenistic, Roman, Palmyrene, and Byzantine. The most popular stones 
are limestone, basalt, and marble, but other types of stone are used as 
well.
    3. Relief sculpture, large- and small-scale, including steles, wall 
slabs, plaques, coffins, altars, and tombstones, in a great variety of 
styles, including but not limited to Sumerian, Assyrian, Neo-Hittite, 
Hellenistic, Roman, Palmyrene, Byzantine, and Islamic. Used for 
commemorative, funerary, and decorative purposes. The most popular 
stones are limestone, basalt, and marble, but other types of stone are 
used as well.
    4. Inlay sculpture. Large-scale examples with friezes of sculpted 
stone figures set into an inlaid stone or bitumen background. Small-
scale examples with flat, cut-out figures in light-colored stones set 
against dark stone or bitumen backgrounds decorate boxes and furniture. 
Subjects include narrative scenes such as warfare and banqueting.
    B. Seals
    1. Cylinder seals: A cylindrical bead, usually ranging in size from 
2 cm to 8 cm in height, with a hole pierced through its vertical axis 
and engraved images carved around the outer circumference. Made from a 
great variety of stones, including but not limited to marble, 
serpentine, hematite, chalcedony, lapis lazuli, agate, jasper, 
turquoise, garnet, carnelian, agate, quartz, onyx, sardonyx, 
heliotrope, jasper, rock crystal, amethyst, and goethite.
    2. Stamp seals: Stones carved into animal or geometric shapes, 
including but not limited to square, circular, lentoid, hemispheric, 
gable-backed, eight-sided pyramidal, cones, cameos (carved in raised 
relief), ellipsoidal, and domical, with a flat surface engraved with a 
wide range of images. Some types have knobs on their top sides.
    C. Vessels and containers--Includes conventional shapes such as 
bowls, cups, and jars, and vessels having the form of animals.
    D. Tools and Weapons--Chipped stone (usually flint and obsidian) 
includes large and small blades, borers, scrapers, sickles, awls, 
harpoons, cores, and arrow heads. Ground stone types include mortars, 
pestles, millstones, querns, whetstones, choppers, axes, hammers, 
molds, loom weights, fishnet weights, standardized weights, and mace 
heads.
    E. Jewelry--Jewelry of or decorated with colored and semi-precious 
stones, including necklaces, pendants, cameos, crowns, earrings, finger 
rings, bracelets, anklets, belts, girdles, pins, hair ornaments, arm 
bands, and beads.
    F. Ostraca--Chips of stone used as surface for writing or drawing.
    G. Tablets--Inscribed with pictographic, cuneiform, Phoenician, 
Aramaic, Greek, Latin, and Arabic scripts.

II. Metal

    A. Sculpture
    1. Statues, large- and small-scale, including of deities, humans 
(often standing, sometimes with raised arms and/or wearing helmets), 
and animals (such as lions), similar to those in stone. The most common 
materials are bronze and copper alloys, and gold and silver are used as 
well.
    2. Relief sculpture, including plaques and appliqu[eacute]s.
    B. Vessels and containers--Includes conventional shapes such as 
bowls, cups, jars, plates, platters, cauldrons, and lamps, and vessels 
in the form of humans, animals, hybrids, plants, and combinations or 
parts thereof. Decoration includes fluting, incision,

[[Page 53918]]

appliqu[eacute], and figurative elements (such as mythological scenes, 
animals, festivities, and hunting). Examples include but are not 
limited to:
     Shallow bronze bowls bearing concentric rings of complex 
imagery of animals, festivities, mythological scenes, and/or 
militaristic vignettes on their outside (they also occur in silver and 
gilt silver);
     Large bronze cauldrons and cauldron stands, some of which 
include cast or incised decorations in the shape of bulls, griffins, or 
human heads;
     Ewers with bulbous bodies, long necks and handles, dating 
to the Sasanian and Abbasid periods; and
     Copper-alloy metalwork in the Islamic period engraved with 
inscriptions and elaborate floral and geometric designs, sometimes with 
enamel and silver inlays. Forms include bowls, ewers, candlesticks, and 
astrolabes.
    C. Objects of daily use
    1. Musical instruments, including trumpets, clappers, and sistra; 
furniture parts, such as chair legs, struts, and openwork panels, cast 
and hammered in copper/bronze; metal mirror backs, often incised with 
decoration.
    2. Copper/bronze weights found in a variety of shapes, including 
that of a recumbent lion.
    3. Architectural elements in copper/bronze, including door-pivots, 
knobs, and nails.
    D. Tools--Including but not limited to axes, adzes, saws, drills, 
chisels, knives, hooks, pins, needles, tongs, tweezers, awls, and 
scientific instruments such as astrolabes. Usually in bronze and copper 
alloys, later joined by iron; ceremonial forms might be in gold.
    E. Weapons and armor
    1. Weapons include maceheads, knives, swords, curved swords, axes 
(including duckbill and fenestrated types), arrows, and spears. Usually 
in bronze and copper alloys, later joined by iron and, by the 1st 
millennium AD, steel as well. Later swords may have inscriptions in 
Arabic on the blade and/or hilt. Ceremonial forms might be in gold. In 
the later Islamic periods, pistols and other firearms appear.
    2. Early armor consisting of small metal scales, originally sewn to 
a backing of cloth or leather, later augmented by helmets, body armor, 
shields, and horse armor. Armor and weapons of the Islamic period can 
be decorated with arabesque designs and inscriptions.
    F. Jewelry, amulets, and seals
    1. Jewelry of gold, silver, electrum, copper, and iron for personal 
adornment, including necklaces, pectorals, pendants in forms such as 
animals and insects, spirals, wire, arm bands, rosettes, hairpins, 
fibulae (triangular safety pins for garments), crowns and other 
headdresses, earrings, bracelets, anklets, belts, and finger rings.
    2. Amulets in the shape of humans, animals, hybrids, plants, and 
combinations or parts thereof.
    G. Liturgical objects--Including censers, crosses, chalices, Bible 
caskets, lamps, Kiddush cups, candelabra, and Torah pointers and 
finials.
    H. Tablets--Usually of copper-alloy, lead, gold, and silver, 
inscribed with cuneiform, Phoenician, Aramaic, Greek, Latin, and Arabic 
scripts.
    I. Coins--In copper or bronze, silver and gold.
    1. Coins in Syria have a long history and exist in great variety, 
spanning the Achaemenid Persian, Hellenistic Seleucid and Ptolemaic, 
Roman, Sasanian, and Islamic periods. Coins from neighboring regions 
circulated in Syria as well. Some major mints for coinage that 
circulated in Syria in various periods include Emesa, Antioch, Apamea, 
Damascus, Beroea, and Laodicea.
    2. Achaemenid coins include silver drachms stamped on the obverse 
with the head of the king and on the reverse with an altar.
    3. Coin types and materials for coins minted or circulated in Syria 
during the Hellenistic Seleucid and Ptolemaic periods include gold and 
silver staters and obols, bronze or silver drachms, hemidrachms, 
tetradrachms, and smaller bronze and lead coins. These coins have a 
wide variety of decorative elements. Male and female busts (of kings, 
such as Seleucus, and queens, such as Cleopatra, or sometimes deities) 
are usually found on the front. Seated archers, seated gods such as 
Zeus, winged Victory, Tyche, and Herakles, other Greco-Roman 
mythological subjects, animals such as lions and elephants, palm trees, 
and ships are usually on the reverse of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic 
coins, which are often inscribed in Greek.
    4. Roman coins minted and circulated in Syria during the Roman 
period come in a variety of denominations and weights and were struck 
primarily in silver and bronze, though examples (sesterces) of brass 
also appear. The front usually has an image of the emperor; sometimes, 
other notable personages (e.g., Julia Domna) might appear. Subjects 
shown on the reverse include seated and standing deities, wreaths, 
temples and altars, mythological scenes, and eagles. Inscriptions are 
usually in Latin, but sometimes also in Greek. Late Roman (Byzantine) 
coins are similar, but the reverse often shows Christian iconography 
(e.g., crosses), and inscriptions are in Greek.
    5. Sasanian period coins are typically silver drachms with an image 
of the ruler on the obverse and a religious scene with a fire altar on 
the reverse.
    6. Islamic coins are of gold, silver, bronze, and copper and 
include examples from the Ummayad, Abbasid, Ghaznavid, Fatimid, 
Ayyubid, Seljuq (including Zengid), Timurid, Mamluk, Safavid, and 
Ottoman periods. Most are stamped on both sides with inscriptions in 
Arabic, although a few types have an image on one side and an 
inscription on the other.

III. Ceramic, Clay, and Faience

    A. Sculpture
    1. Terracotta figurines of humans and animals are quite common and 
may be highly stylized. Some examples are sculptures while others are 
made from molds. Also molds for making such figurines.
    2. Terracotta plaques, either made from molds or sculpted, with a 
variety of subjects. Also terracotta molds for making such plaques.
    3. Terracotta models, including furniture such as chairs and beds, 
chariots, boats, and buildings.
    B. Architectural decorations
    1. Bronze and Iron Age ceramic wall decorations, including cones 
(sometimes with the flat end painted) and decorated knobs.
    2. Islamic architectural ornaments, including carved and molded 
brick, and glazed ceramic tile wall and floor ornaments and panels.
    C. Vessels and containers
    1. Ceramic vessels occur throughout Syria's history in a wide range 
of shapes, sizes, fabrics, and decorative treatments. They may be 
handmade or wheel-made, plain or decorated with geometric, natural, or 
stylized motifs, with surfaces that include but are not limited to 
plain, slipped, burnished, varnished, painted, combed, incised, glazed, 
barbotine, and/or molded relief.
    2. All ceramics from the Ceramic Neolithic through the Ottoman 
Period. Examples include but are not limited to:
     Decorated and undecorated Pre-Classical pottery, including 
Halaf, Ubaid, Uruk, and local and imported Bronze and Iron Age forms;
     Greco-Roman pottery, including vessels with rilled 
decoration and terra sigillata, a high quality table ware made of red 
to reddish brown clay, and covered with a glossy slip;
     Islamic plain, glazed, molded, and painted ceramics, 
including Raqqa wares and lusterware;
     Bathtub, slipper-shaped, cylindrical, and rectangular 
coffins from

[[Page 53919]]

all periods. Coffin lids may be modeled with human features; and
     Pilgrim flasks from all periods, characterized by flat 
disc-shaped sides and a single drinking spout, often flanked by stirrup 
handles.
    D. Objects of daily use
    1. Including but not limited to game pieces, loom weights, toys, 
and lamps.
    2. Bread molds of various shapes and patterns.
    3. Stamp and cylinder seals made from fired clay, faience, or a 
composite material related to faience.
    E. Writing
    1. Tablets, covered with wedge-shaped cuneiform characters or 
incised pictographs. They are usually unbaked and must be handled with 
extreme care. Shapes range from very small rounded disk forms, to small 
square and rectangular pillow-shaped forms, to larger rectangular 
tablets. They sometimes are found with an enclosing clay envelope, 
which is also inscribed. Both tablets and envelopes may be impressed 
with cylinder or stamp seals.
    2. Bricks of fired clay inscribed or stamped with cuneiform 
inscriptions that are often placed in small frames on one of the sides. 
Approximately 30 x 30 x 10 cm.
    3. Cones of fired clay. The large end is sometimes flat, sometimes 
mushroom shaped. Inscribed cuneiform characters can cover the head and/
or body of the cone. Approximately 15 cm long.
    4. Cylinders: Large cuneiform-inscribed objects can take the form 
of a multisided prism or barrel. The inscription typically covers all 
sides of the object. Approximately 20-30 cm high.
    5. Ostraca, pottery shards used as surface for writing or drawing.

IV. Wood

    A. Architectural elements--Including carved and inlaid wooden 
walls, floors, panels, screens, balconies, stages, doors, ceilings, 
beams, altars, and vaulting and elements thereof (e.g., muqarnas), 
often decorated with stars, floral motifs, geometric patterns, 
religious iconography (e.g., crosses), and Arabic script. Elements may 
comprise most or all of entire rooms.
    B. Religious equipment--Including pulpits (minbars) and prayer 
niches (mihrabs), often intricately carved and with accompanying Arabic 
script decoration, and sometimes inlaid; book holders, lecterns, and 
cabinets; smaller objects such as cases/chests.
    C. Objects of daily use--Including furniture such as chairs, 
stools, and beds, chests and boxes, writing and painting equipment, 
musical instruments (e.g., ouds and rababa [fiddles]), utensils, and 
older game boxes and pieces.
    D. Tools and Weapons--Including adzes, axes, bow drills, 
carpenters' levels and squares, bows, arrows, spears.

V. Glass

    A. Late Bronze Age and Iron Age glass containers, including but not 
limited to bowls, bottles, and juglets, typically small and often 
elaborately decorated with multi-colored bands.
    B. Roman vessels, often hand-blown, in a great variety of shapes, 
including but not limited to bottles, flasks, and pitchers.
    C. Islamic vessels and containers in glass in a great variety of 
shapes, including but not limited to bowls, bottles, flasks, and glass 
and enamel mosque lamps.

VI. Ivory, Bone, and Shell

    A. Sculpture
    1. Ivory plaques sculpted in relief are a hallmark of Syrian 
sculpture. They were used in particular as parts of furniture; they may 
also have been components of tools/weapons and placed on walls as 
artistic elements. Decorative motifs include animals, humans, plants, 
combat, hunting, feasting, mythological creatures (e.g., griffins), and 
mythological and religious scenes, among others. In some periods, 
Syrian ivories may look Egyptian (``Egyptianizing'').
    2. Statuettes in the round of ivory, including human, animal, and 
mythological figures and parts thereof.
    B. Objects of daily use
    1. Ivory, bone, shell, and mother of pearl were used either alone 
or as inlays in luxury objects including furniture, chests and boxes 
(pyxis/pyxides), writing and painting equipment, musical instruments 
(e.g., flutes), games (e.g., dice), cosmetic containers, combs, 
jewelry, mirror backs and handles, amulets, fly whisk handles, and 
seals. Ivory objects from Islamic periods may have Arabic inscriptions.
    2. Utilitarian objects of bone and ivory include but are not 
limited to utensils and tools such as awls and needles.

VII. Plaster and Stucco

    A. Plaster--Pre-Pottery Neolithic containers were often made of 
plaster. In later periods, painted or gilded plaster was used for 
jewelry and other objects in imitation of expensive materials.
    B. Stucco--Islamic architectural decorations in stucco, including 
vegetal forms and sculptures of humans and animals.

VIII. Textile

    A. Greco-Roman and Byzantine textiles and fragments in linen, wool, 
cotton and silk, including but not limited to garments, blankets, bags, 
and hangings.
    B. Islamic textiles and fragments in wool, cotton, and silk, 
including garments, blankets, bags, hangings, and rugs.

IX. Parchment, Paper, and Leather

    A. Parchment
    1. Manuscripts and portions thereof from the Byzantine and Early 
Islamic periods, including but not limited to liturgical works and 
Qur'ans, either on a scroll, single leaves, or bound as a book (or 
``codex''), and written in Aramaic, Greek, Latin, and Arabic, sometimes 
with painted illustrations and gold leaf, on specially prepared animal 
skins, known as parchment.
    2. Torahs and portions thereof: Scrolls bearing Hebrew writing in 
black ink, wound around two wooden rods, and originally housed in a 
cylindrical wooden case.
    B. Paper
    1. Qur'ans and manuscripts, and individual pages thereof, sometimes 
illustrated, written on paper and bound as books.
    2. Rare printed books.
    3. Religious, ceremonial, literary, and administrative material, 
including but not limited to maps, archival materials, photographs, and 
other rare or important documentary or historical material.
    C. Leather
    1. Armor, sandals, clothing, and horse trappings from the Islamic 
period.
    2. Early texts written on leather. Manuscripts and rare books bound 
in leather.

X. Painting and Drawing

    A. Wall Painting--These are usually painted on lime plaster in the 
fresco method. Syrian wall paintings come from many periods and depict 
a wide range of subjects. They are found in both religious and secular 
buildings.
    1. Pre-classical paintings may show religious scenes, such as 
worshippers approaching standing and seated deities, sometimes with 
sacrificial animals, scenes with the ruler, mythological vignettes and 
creatures, and palm trees. Later paintings depict courtly and 
militaristic themes, as well as the ruler and high officials.
    2. Classical period paintings generally show biblical and religious 
scenes. Christian paintings may show personages such as Jesus, Virgin 
Mary, the apostles, and angels, and include

[[Page 53920]]

iconography such as crosses. Jewish paintings may include iconography 
such as menorahs. Paintings from the Roman and other polytheistic 
traditions may depict deities such as winged Victory and mythological 
scenes. Christian wall paintings continue into the Byzantine period.
    3. Islamic period paintings may depict courtly themes (e.g., 
musicians, riders on horses) and city views, among other topics.
    B. Byzantine panel paintings (icons)--Generally portray Jesus, 
Mary, Christian saints, religious images, and scenes of biblical 
events. Surrounding paintings may contain animal, floral, or geometric 
designs, including borders and bands. May be partially covered with 
gold or silver, sometimes encrusted with semi-precious or precious 
stones, and are usually painted on a wooden panel, often for inclusion 
in a wooden screen (iconastasis). May also be painted on ceramic.

XI. Mosaic

    A. Floor mosaics--Greco-Roman and Byzantine, including landscapes, 
humans or gods, mythological scenes, and quotidian activities such as 
hunting and fishing. There may also be vegetative, floral, or 
decorative motifs. They are made from stone cut into small pieces 
(tesserae) and laid into a plaster matrix.
    B. Wall and ceiling mosaics--generally portray religious images, 
scenes of Biblical and Qur'anic events, and views of cities and 
buildings. Surrounding panels may contain animal, floral, or geometric 
designs. Similar technique to floor mosaics, but may include tesserae 
of both stone and glass.

XII. Writing

    On paper, parchment, leather, wood, ivory, stone, metal, textile, 
stucco, clay, mosaic, painting, and ceramic, in pictographic, 
cuneiform, Phoenician, Aramaic, Syriac, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and 
Arabic scripts.

Inapplicability of Notice and Delayed Effective Date

    Under section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (``APA'') (5 
U.S.C. 553), agencies amending their regulations generally are required 
to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register that 
solicits public comment on the proposed amendments, consider public 
comments in deciding on the final content of the final amendments, and 
publish the final amendments at least 30 days prior to their effective 
date. However, section 553(a)(1) of the APA provides that the standard 
prior notice and comment procedures do not apply to agency rulemaking 
that involves the foreign affairs function of the United States. CBP 
has determined that this final rule involves a foreign affairs function 
of the United States as it implements authority granted to the 
President under the Protect and Preserve International Cultural 
Property Act and section 304 of the Convention on Cultural Property 
Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 2603) to impose import restrictions on 
archaeological or ethnological material of Syria. The Protect and 
Preserve International Cultural Property Act and this rule do no more 
than carry out the obligations of the United States under the 1970 
UNESCO Convention and Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. 
Accordingly, the rulemaking requirements under the APA do not apply, 
and this final rule will be effective upon publication.
    In addition, section 553(b)(B) of the APA provides that notice and 
public procedure are not required when an agency for good cause finds 
them impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to public interest. CBP 
has determined that providing prior notice and public procedure for 
these regulations would be impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to 
the public interest because immediate action is necessary, and 
contemplated, in order to respond to the ongoing pillage of Syrian 
cultural antiquities and to avoid damage to those antiquities in Syria 
until hostilities have ceased. Any delay in this action will likely 
result in further damage to the Syrian cultural antiquities that 
Congress was seeking to protect with the Protect and Preserve 
International Cultural Property Act.
    Finally, section 553(d)(3) of the APA permits agencies to make a 
rule effective less than 30 days after publication when the agency 
finds that good cause exists for dispensing with a delayed effective 
date. For the reasons described above, CBP finds that good cause exists 
to make these regulations effective without a delayed effective date.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required, the 
provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do 
not apply.

Executive Order 12866

    CBP has determined that this document is not a regulation or rule 
subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 
1993 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), because it pertains to a foreign 
affairs function of the United States, as described above, and 
therefore is specifically exempted by section 3(d)(2) of Executive 
Order 12866.

Signing Authority

    This regulation is being issued in accordance with 19 CFR 
0.1(a)(1), pertaining to the Secretary of the Treasury's authority (or 
that of his/her delegate) to approve regulations related to customs 
revenue functions.

List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 12

    Cultural property, Customs duties and inspection, Imports, 
Prohibited merchandise.

Amendment to CBP Regulations

    For the reasons set forth above, part 12 of title 19 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (19 CFR part 12), is amended as set forth below:

PART 12--SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE

0
1. The general authority citation for part 12 continues to read, and 
the specific authority for Sec.  12.104k is added to read, as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 3(i), 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624;
* * * * *
    Section 12.104k also issued under Pub. L. 114-151, 130 Stat. 
369; 19 U.S.C. 2612;
* * * * *

0
2. Add Sec.  12.104k to read as follows:


Sec.  12.104k  Emergency protection for Syrian cultural antiquities.

    (a) Restriction. Importation of archaeological or ethnological 
material of Syria is restricted pursuant to the Protect and Preserve 
International Cultural Property Act (Pub. L. 114-151) and section 304 
of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 
2603), unless a restriction is waived pursuant to section 3(c) of the 
Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act.
    (b) Description of restricted material. The term ``archaeological 
or ethnological material of Syria'' means cultural property as defined 
in section 302 of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation 
Act (19 U.S.C. 2601) that is unlawfully removed from Syria on or after 
March 15, 2011. CBP Decision 16-10 sets forth the Designated List of 
Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Syria that describes the 
types of objects or categories of

[[Page 53921]]

archaeological or ethnological material that are subject to import 
restrictions.

R. Gil Kerlikowske,
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    Approved: August 11, 2016.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 2016-19491 Filed 8-11-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 9111-14-P



                                              53916                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                              with FAAO 1050.1F, paragraph 5–2                           DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                prohibiting cross-border trade in such
                                              regarding Extraordinary Circumstances,                     SECURITY                                              items, thereby allowing for their
                                              this action has been reviewed for factors                                                                        eventual safe return to the Syrian
                                              and circumstances in which a normally                      U.S. Customs and Border Protection                    people. The United States strongly
                                              categorically excluded action may have                                                                           supported this Resolution because ‘‘this
                                              a significant environmental impact                         DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                            resolution both cuts off a source of ISIL
                                              requiring further analysis, and it is                                                                            revenue and helps protect an
                                              determined that no extraordinary                           19 CFR Part 12                                        irreplaceable cultural heritage, of the
                                              circumstances exist that warrant                           [CBP Dec. 16–10]                                      region and of the world.’’ See
                                              preparation of an environmental                                                                                  ‘‘Explanation of Vote at a Security
                                              assessment.                                                RIN 1515–AE14                                         Council Session on Threats to
                                                                                                                                                               International Peace and Security Caused
                                              List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71                         Import Restrictions Imposed on                        by Terrorist Threats,’’ Ambassador
                                                                                                         Archaeological and Ethnological                       Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent
                                               Airspace, Incorporation by reference,                     Material of Syria
                                              Navigation (air).                                                                                                Representative to the United Nations,
                                                                                                         AGENCY:  U.S. Customs and Border                      New York City, February 12, 2015.
                                              Adoption of the Amendment                                  Protection, Department of Homeland                       For decades, the United States has
                                                                                                         Security; Department of the Treasury.                 shared the international concern for the
                                                In consideration of the foregoing, the                                                                         need to protect endangered cultural
                                              Federal Aviation Administration                            ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                                                                                                               property. The appearance in the United
                                              amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:                          SUMMARY:   This document amends the                   States of stolen or illegally exported
                                                                                                         U.S. Customs and Border Protection                    artifacts from other countries where
                                              PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,                                                                                  there has been pillage has, on occasion,
                                              B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR                         (CBP) regulations to reflect the
                                                                                                         imposition of import restrictions on                  strained our foreign and cultural
                                              TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND                                                                                      relations. This situation, combined with
                                              REPORTING POINTS                                           archaeological and ethnological material
                                                                                                         of Syria pursuant to the Protect and                  the concerns of museum, archaeological,
                                                                                                         Preserve International Cultural Property              and scholarly communities, was
                                              ■ 1. The authority citation for Part 71                    Act. This document also contains the                  recognized by the President and
                                              continues to read as follows:                              Designated List of Archaeological and                 Congress. It became apparent that it was
                                                Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103,              Ethnological Material of Syria that                   in the national interest of the United
                                              40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR,               describes the types of objects or                     States to join with other countries to
                                              1959–1963 Comp., p. 389.                                   categories of archaeological or                       suppress illegal trafficking of such
                                                                                                         ethnological material that are subject to             objects in international commerce.
                                              § 71.1       [Amended]                                                                                              The United States joined international
                                                                                                         import restrictions, if unlawfully
                                              ■ 2. The incorporation by reference in                     removed from Syria on or after March                  efforts and actively participated in
                                              14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9Z,                          15, 2011.                                             deliberations resulting in the 1970
                                              Airspace Designations and Reporting                        DATES: Effective Date: August 15, 2016.
                                                                                                                                                               United Nations Educational, Scientific
                                              Points, dated August 6, 2015, effective                                                                          and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
                                                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                              September 15, 2015, is amended as                                                                                Convention on the Means of Prohibiting
                                                                                                         legal aspects, Lisa L. Burley, Chief,                 and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export
                                              follows:                                                   Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted               and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural
                                                                                                         Merchandise Branch, Regulations and                   Property (823 U.N.T.S. 231 (1972)). In
                                              Paragraph 4000         Class C Airspace.                   Rulings, Office of Trade, (202) 325–
                                              *        *      *       *      *                                                                                 1983, pursuant to its international
                                                                                                         0215. For operational aspects, William                obligations arising under the 1970
                                              AGL IL C Peoria, General Downing-Peoria                    R. Scopa, Branch Chief, Partner                       UNESCO Convention, the United States
                                              International Airport, IL [Amended]                        Government Agency Branch, Trade                       enacted the Convention on Cultural
                                              General Downing-Peoria International                       Policy and Programs, Office of Trade,                 Property Implementation Act (Pub. L.
                                                   Airport, IL                                           (202) 863–6554, William.R.Scopa@                      97–446, 19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) (CCPIA).
                                                (Lat. 40°39′51″ N., long. 89°41′36″ W.)                  cbp.dhs.gov.                                          Implementation of the 1970 UNESCO
                                                That airspace extending upward from the                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            Convention through the CCPIA
                                              surface to and including 4,700 feet MSL                                                                          promotes U.S. leadership in achieving
                                              within a 5-mile radius of the General                      Background
                                                                                                                                                               greater international cooperation toward
                                              Downing-Peoria International Airport; that                    United Nations Security Council                    preserving cultural treasures that are of
                                              airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet                  Resolution 2199, adopted on February                  importance to the nations from which
                                              MSL to and including 4,700 feet MSL within                 12, 2015, condemns the destruction of                 they originate and greater international
                                              a 10-mile radius of the airport from the 284°
                                                                                                         cultural heritage in Syria, particularly              understanding of mankind’s common
                                              bearing from the airport clockwise to the 154°
                                              bearing from the airport; and that airspace                by the terrorist organizations Islamic                heritage.
                                              extending upward from 1,800 feet MSL to                    State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and                  Since 1983, import restrictions have
                                              and including 4,700 feet MSL within a 10-                  Al-Nusrah Front (ANF), and obligates                  been imposed on archaeological and
                                              mile radius of the airport from the 154°                   all member nations to assist in the                   ethnological material from a number of
                                              bearing from the airport clockwise to the 284°             protection of Syria’s cultural heritage.              States Parties to the 1970 Convention.
                                              bearing from the airport.                                  Paragraph 17 of the Resolution states                 These restrictions have been imposed as
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                                                                                                         that all Member States shall take                     a result of requests received from those
                                                Issued in Washington, DC, on August 8,                   appropriate steps to prevent the trade in             nations under Article 9 of the 1970
                                              2016.
                                                                                                         Syrian cultural property and other items              UNESCO Convention and pursuant to
                                              Leslie M. Swann,                                           of archaeological, historical, cultural,              provisions of the CCPIA that allow for
                                              Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.                     rare scientific, and religious importance             emergency action and international
                                              [FR Doc. 2016–19241 Filed 8–12–16; 8:45 am]                illegally removed from Syria since                    agreements between the United States
                                              BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                     March 15, 2011, including by                          and other countries.


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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                          53917

                                              Protect and Preserve International                      Chronology                                               B. Seals
                                              Cultural Property Act                                                                                            1. Cylinder seals: A cylindrical bead,
                                                                                                         The archaeological and ethnological
                                                                                                                                                            usually ranging in size from 2 cm to 8
                                                 The Protect and Preserve International               material of Syria represent the following
                                                                                                                                                            cm in height, with a hole pierced
                                              Cultural Property Act (Pub. L. 114–151)                 periods and cultures: Paleolithic,
                                                                                                                                                            through its vertical axis and engraved
                                              (‘‘the Act’’) directs the President to                  Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages,
                                                                                                                                                            images carved around the outer
                                              exercise the authority of the President                 Persian, Greco-Roman, Byzantine, and
                                                                                                                                                            circumference. Made from a great
                                              under section 304 of the CCPIA (19                      Islamic until the end of the Ottoman
                                                                                                                                                            variety of stones, including but not
                                              U.S.C. 2603) to impose import                           Period, a total span from roughly
                                                                                                                                                            limited to marble, serpentine, hematite,
                                                                                                      1,000,000 BC to 1920 AD. Syria has
                                              restrictions set forth in section 307 of                                                                      chalcedony, lapis lazuli, agate, jasper,
                                                                                                      been home to a range of diverse
                                              the CCPIA (19 U.S.C. 2606) with respect                                                                       turquoise, garnet, carnelian, agate,
                                                                                                      cultures, resulting in a vast array of
                                              to any archaeological or ethnological                                                                         quartz, onyx, sardonyx, heliotrope,
                                                                                                      archaeological and ethnological material
                                              material of Syria not later than 90 days                                                                      jasper, rock crystal, amethyst, and
                                                                                                      in a variety of media. The import
                                              after the date of enactment of the Act,                                                                       goethite.
                                                                                                      restriction covers all archaeological and
                                              without regard to whether Syria is a                                                                             2. Stamp seals: Stones carved into
                                                                                                      ethnological material of Syria (as
                                              State Party to the 1970 UNESCO                                                                                animal or geometric shapes, including
                                                                                                      defined in section 302 of the
                                              Convention, and without the need for a                                                                        but not limited to square, circular,
                                                                                                      Convention on Cultural Property
                                              formal request from the Government of                                                                         lentoid, hemispheric, gable-backed,
                                                                                                      Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 2601)),
                                              Syria. Section 3(c) of the Act provides                                                                       eight-sided pyramidal, cones, cameos
                                                                                                      including but not limited to the
                                              that the President is authorized to waive                                                                     (carved in raised relief), ellipsoidal, and
                                                                                                      following types of material.
                                              the import restrictions.                                                                                      domical, with a flat surface engraved
                                                 On August 2, 2016, the Assistant                     I. Stone                                              with a wide range of images. Some types
                                              Secretary for Educational and Cultural                     A. Sculpture                                       have knobs on their top sides.
                                                                                                                                                               C. Vessels and containers—Includes
                                              Affairs, Department of State, acting                       1. Architectural elements, from
                                                                                                                                                            conventional shapes such as bowls,
                                              pursuant to delegated authority under                   temples, tombs, palaces,
                                                                                                                                                            cups, and jars, and vessels having the
                                              the Act, made a Decision that, pursuant                 commemorative monuments, and
                                                                                                                                                            form of animals.
                                              to the CCPIA, import restrictions be                    domestic architecture, including
                                                                                                                                                               D. Tools and Weapons—Chipped
                                              imposed with respect to any                             columns, capitals, bases, lintels, jambs,
                                                                                                                                                            stone (usually flint and obsidian)
                                              archaeological and ethnological material                friezes, pilasters, engaged columns,
                                                                                                                                                            includes large and small blades, borers,
                                              of Syria, as defined in the Act.                        waterspouts, door leaves, mihrabs
                                                                                                                                                            scrapers, sickles, awls, harpoons, cores,
                                                 More information on import                           (prayer niches), fountains, and blocks
                                                                                                                                                            and arrow heads. Ground stone types
                                              restrictions may be obtained from the                   from walls, floors, and ceilings. Often
                                                                                                                                                            include mortars, pestles, millstones,
                                              Cultural Property Protection section of                 decorated in relief with pre-Classical
                                                                                                                                                            querns, whetstones, choppers, axes,
                                                                                                      (especially Neo-Hittite and Assyrian),
                                              the Department of State’s Cultural                                                                            hammers, molds, loom weights, fishnet
                                                                                                      Greco-Roman, Christian, and Islamic
                                              Heritage Center Web site (http://                                                                             weights, standardized weights, and
                                                                                                      ornamental motifs and inscriptions. The
                                              culturalheritage.state.gov/). Importation                                                                     mace heads.
                                                                                                      most common architectural stones are                     E. Jewelry—Jewelry of or decorated
                                              of designated archaeological and
                                                                                                      limestone, basalt, and marble.                        with colored and semi-precious stones,
                                              ethnological material of Syria is
                                                                                                         2. Statues, large- and small-scale,                including necklaces, pendants, cameos,
                                              restricted unless the conditions set forth
                                                                                                      often depicting human, mythological,                  crowns, earrings, finger rings, bracelets,
                                              in 19 U.S.C. 2606 and 19 CFR 12.104c
                                                                                                      and animal subjects, in a great variety of            anklets, belts, girdles, pins, hair
                                              are met. Below is the Designated List of
                                                                                                      styles, including but not limited to                  ornaments, arm bands, and beads.
                                              Archaeological and Ethnological                         Sumerian, Assyrian, Neo-Hittite,
                                              Material of Syria that describes the                                                                             F. Ostraca—Chips of stone used as
                                                                                                      Hellenistic, Roman, Palmyrene, and                    surface for writing or drawing.
                                              types of objects or categories of                       Byzantine. The most popular stones are
                                              archaeological or ethnological material                                                                          G. Tablets—Inscribed with
                                                                                                      limestone, basalt, and marble, but other              pictographic, cuneiform, Phoenician,
                                              that are subject to import restrictions, if             types of stone are used as well.
                                              unlawfully removed from Syria on or                                                                           Aramaic, Greek, Latin, and Arabic
                                                                                                         3. Relief sculpture, large- and small-             scripts.
                                              after March 15, 2011. This list was                     scale, including steles, wall slabs,
                                              prepared in consultation with the                       plaques, coffins, altars, and tombstones,             II. Metal
                                              Department of State pursuant to section                 in a great variety of styles, including but              A. Sculpture
                                              305 of the CCPIA (19 U.S.C. 2604).                      not limited to Sumerian, Assyrian, Neo-                  1. Statues, large- and small-scale,
                                              Designated List of Archaeological and                   Hittite, Hellenistic, Roman, Palmyrene,               including of deities, humans (often
                                              Ethnological Material of Syria                          Byzantine, and Islamic. Used for                      standing, sometimes with raised arms
                                                                                                      commemorative, funerary, and                          and/or wearing helmets), and animals
                                              Table of Contents                                       decorative purposes. The most popular                 (such as lions), similar to those in stone.
                                              I. Stone                                                stones are limestone, basalt, and marble,             The most common materials are bronze
                                              II. Metal                                               but other types of stone are used as well.            and copper alloys, and gold and silver
                                              III. Ceramic, Clay, and Faience                            4. Inlay sculpture. Large-scale                    are used as well.
                                              IV. Wood                                                examples with friezes of sculpted stone                  2. Relief sculpture, including plaques
                                              V. Glass                                                figures set into an inlaid stone or                   and appliqués.
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                                              VI. Ivory, Bone, and Shell                              bitumen background. Small-scale                          B. Vessels and containers—Includes
                                              VII. Plaster and Stucco                                 examples with flat, cut-out figures in                conventional shapes such as bowls,
                                              VIII. Textile                                           light-colored stones set against dark                 cups, jars, plates, platters, cauldrons,
                                              IX. Parchment, Paper, and Leather                       stone or bitumen backgrounds decorate                 and lamps, and vessels in the form of
                                              X. Painting and Drawing                                 boxes and furniture. Subjects include                 humans, animals, hybrids, plants, and
                                              XI. Mosaic                                              narrative scenes such as warfare and                  combinations or parts thereof.
                                              XII. Writing                                            banqueting.                                           Decoration includes fluting, incision,


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                                              53918             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                              appliqué, and figurative elements (such                animals and insects, spirals, wire, arm               reverse often shows Christian
                                              as mythological scenes, animals,                        bands, rosettes, hairpins, fibulae                    iconography (e.g., crosses), and
                                              festivities, and hunting). Examples                     (triangular safety pins for garments),                inscriptions are in Greek.
                                              include but are not limited to:                         crowns and other headdresses, earrings,                  5. Sasanian period coins are typically
                                                 • Shallow bronze bowls bearing                       bracelets, anklets, belts, and finger rings.          silver drachms with an image of the
                                              concentric rings of complex imagery of                     2. Amulets in the shape of humans,                 ruler on the obverse and a religious
                                              animals, festivities, mythological                      animals, hybrids, plants, and                         scene with a fire altar on the reverse.
                                              scenes, and/or militaristic vignettes on                combinations or parts thereof.                           6. Islamic coins are of gold, silver,
                                              their outside (they also occur in silver                   G. Liturgical objects—Including                    bronze, and copper and include
                                              and gilt silver);                                       censers, crosses, chalices, Bible caskets,            examples from the Ummayad, Abbasid,
                                                 • Large bronze cauldrons and                         lamps, Kiddush cups, candelabra, and                  Ghaznavid, Fatimid, Ayyubid, Seljuq
                                              cauldron stands, some of which include                  Torah pointers and finials.                           (including Zengid), Timurid, Mamluk,
                                              cast or incised decorations in the shape                   H. Tablets—Usually of copper-alloy,                Safavid, and Ottoman periods. Most are
                                              of bulls, griffins, or human heads;                     lead, gold, and silver, inscribed with                stamped on both sides with inscriptions
                                                 • Ewers with bulbous bodies, long                    cuneiform, Phoenician, Aramaic, Greek,                in Arabic, although a few types have an
                                              necks and handles, dating to the                        Latin, and Arabic scripts.                            image on one side and an inscription on
                                              Sasanian and Abbasid periods; and                          I. Coins—In copper or bronze, silver               the other.
                                                 • Copper-alloy metalwork in the                      and gold.
                                                                                                                                                            III. Ceramic, Clay, and Faience
                                              Islamic period engraved with                               1. Coins in Syria have a long history
                                              inscriptions and elaborate floral and                   and exist in great variety, spanning the                 A. Sculpture
                                              geometric designs, sometimes with                       Achaemenid Persian, Hellenistic                          1. Terracotta figurines of humans and
                                              enamel and silver inlays. Forms include                 Seleucid and Ptolemaic, Roman,                        animals are quite common and may be
                                              bowls, ewers, candlesticks, and                         Sasanian, and Islamic periods. Coins                  highly stylized. Some examples are
                                              astrolabes.                                             from neighboring regions circulated in                sculptures while others are made from
                                                 C. Objects of daily use                              Syria as well. Some major mints for                   molds. Also molds for making such
                                                 1. Musical instruments, including                    coinage that circulated in Syria in                   figurines.
                                              trumpets, clappers, and sistra; furniture               various periods include Emesa, Antioch,                  2. Terracotta plaques, either made
                                              parts, such as chair legs, struts, and                  Apamea, Damascus, Beroea, and                         from molds or sculpted, with a variety
                                              openwork panels, cast and hammered in                   Laodicea.                                             of subjects. Also terracotta molds for
                                              copper/bronze; metal mirror backs,                         2. Achaemenid coins include silver                 making such plaques.
                                                                                                      drachms stamped on the obverse with                      3. Terracotta models, including
                                              often incised with decoration.
                                                 2. Copper/bronze weights found in a                  the head of the king and on the reverse               furniture such as chairs and beds,
                                              variety of shapes, including that of a                  with an altar.                                        chariots, boats, and buildings.
                                                                                                         3. Coin types and materials for coins                 B. Architectural decorations
                                              recumbent lion.                                                                                                  1. Bronze and Iron Age ceramic wall
                                                 3. Architectural elements in copper/                 minted or circulated in Syria during the
                                                                                                      Hellenistic Seleucid and Ptolemaic                    decorations, including cones
                                              bronze, including door-pivots, knobs,                                                                         (sometimes with the flat end painted)
                                              and nails.                                              periods include gold and silver staters
                                                                                                      and obols, bronze or silver drachms,                  and decorated knobs.
                                                 D. Tools—Including but not limited to                                                                         2. Islamic architectural ornaments,
                                              axes, adzes, saws, drills, chisels, knives,             hemidrachms, tetradrachms, and
                                                                                                      smaller bronze and lead coins. These                  including carved and molded brick, and
                                              hooks, pins, needles, tongs, tweezers,                                                                        glazed ceramic tile wall and floor
                                              awls, and scientific instruments such as                coins have a wide variety of decorative
                                                                                                      elements. Male and female busts (of                   ornaments and panels.
                                              astrolabes. Usually in bronze and                                                                                C. Vessels and containers
                                              copper alloys, later joined by iron;                    kings, such as Seleucus, and queens,                     1. Ceramic vessels occur throughout
                                              ceremonial forms might be in gold.                      such as Cleopatra, or sometimes deities)              Syria’s history in a wide range of
                                                 E. Weapons and armor                                 are usually found on the front. Seated                shapes, sizes, fabrics, and decorative
                                                 1. Weapons include maceheads,                        archers, seated gods such as Zeus,                    treatments. They may be handmade or
                                              knives, swords, curved swords, axes                     winged Victory, Tyche, and Herakles,                  wheel-made, plain or decorated with
                                              (including duckbill and fenestrated                     other Greco-Roman mythological                        geometric, natural, or stylized motifs,
                                              types), arrows, and spears. Usually in                  subjects, animals such as lions and                   with surfaces that include but are not
                                              bronze and copper alloys, later joined                  elephants, palm trees, and ships are                  limited to plain, slipped, burnished,
                                              by iron and, by the 1st millennium AD,                  usually on the reverse of the Seleucid                varnished, painted, combed, incised,
                                              steel as well. Later swords may have                    and Ptolemaic coins, which are often                  glazed, barbotine, and/or molded relief.
                                              inscriptions in Arabic on the blade and/                inscribed in Greek.                                      2. All ceramics from the Ceramic
                                              or hilt. Ceremonial forms might be in                      4. Roman coins minted and circulated               Neolithic through the Ottoman Period.
                                              gold. In the later Islamic periods, pistols             in Syria during the Roman period come                 Examples include but are not limited to:
                                              and other firearms appear.                              in a variety of denominations and                        • Decorated and undecorated Pre-
                                                 2. Early armor consisting of small                   weights and were struck primarily in                  Classical pottery, including Halaf,
                                              metal scales, originally sewn to a                      silver and bronze, though examples                    Ubaid, Uruk, and local and imported
                                              backing of cloth or leather, later                      (sesterces) of brass also appear. The                 Bronze and Iron Age forms;
                                              augmented by helmets, body armor,                       front usually has an image of the                        • Greco-Roman pottery, including
                                              shields, and horse armor. Armor and                     emperor; sometimes, other notable                     vessels with rilled decoration and terra
                                              weapons of the Islamic period can be                    personages (e.g., Julia Domna) might                  sigillata, a high quality table ware made
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                                              decorated with arabesque designs and                    appear. Subjects shown on the reverse                 of red to reddish brown clay, and
                                              inscriptions.                                           include seated and standing deities,                  covered with a glossy slip;
                                                 F. Jewelry, amulets, and seals                       wreaths, temples and altars,                             • Islamic plain, glazed, molded, and
                                                 1. Jewelry of gold, silver, electrum,                mythological scenes, and eagles.                      painted ceramics, including Raqqa
                                              copper, and iron for personal                           Inscriptions are usually in Latin, but                wares and lusterware;
                                              adornment, including necklaces,                         sometimes also in Greek. Late Roman                      • Bathtub, slipper-shaped,
                                              pectorals, pendants in forms such as                    (Byzantine) coins are similar, but the                cylindrical, and rectangular coffins from


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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                         53919

                                              all periods. Coffin lids may be modeled                 [fiddles]), utensils, and older game                  VIII. Textile
                                              with human features; and                                boxes and pieces.                                       A. Greco-Roman and Byzantine
                                                 • Pilgrim flasks from all periods,                      D. Tools and Weapons—Including                     textiles and fragments in linen, wool,
                                              characterized by flat disc-shaped sides                 adzes, axes, bow drills, carpenters’                  cotton and silk, including but not
                                              and a single drinking spout, often                      levels and squares, bows, arrows,                     limited to garments, blankets, bags, and
                                              flanked by stirrup handles.                             spears.                                               hangings.
                                                 D. Objects of daily use
                                                                                                      V. Glass                                                B. Islamic textiles and fragments in
                                                 1. Including but not limited to game
                                                                                                                                                            wool, cotton, and silk, including
                                              pieces, loom weights, toys, and lamps.                    A. Late Bronze Age and Iron Age glass
                                                 2. Bread molds of various shapes and                                                                       garments, blankets, bags, hangings, and
                                                                                                      containers, including but not limited to              rugs.
                                              patterns.                                               bowls, bottles, and juglets, typically
                                                 3. Stamp and cylinder seals made                     small and often elaborately decorated                 IX. Parchment, Paper, and Leather
                                              from fired clay, faience, or a composite                with multi-colored bands.                                A. Parchment
                                              material related to faience.                              B. Roman vessels, often hand-blown,
                                                 E. Writing                                                                                                    1. Manuscripts and portions thereof
                                                                                                      in a great variety of shapes, including               from the Byzantine and Early Islamic
                                                 1. Tablets, covered with wedge-                      but not limited to bottles, flasks, and
                                              shaped cuneiform characters or incised                                                                        periods, including but not limited to
                                                                                                      pitchers.                                             liturgical works and Qur’ans, either on
                                              pictographs. They are usually unbaked                     C. Islamic vessels and containers in
                                              and must be handled with extreme care.                                                                        a scroll, single leaves, or bound as a
                                                                                                      glass in a great variety of shapes,                   book (or ‘‘codex’’), and written in
                                              Shapes range from very small rounded                    including but not limited to bowls,
                                              disk forms, to small square and                                                                               Aramaic, Greek, Latin, and Arabic,
                                                                                                      bottles, flasks, and glass and enamel                 sometimes with painted illustrations
                                              rectangular pillow-shaped forms, to                     mosque lamps.
                                              larger rectangular tablets. They                                                                              and gold leaf, on specially prepared
                                              sometimes are found with an enclosing                   VI. Ivory, Bone, and Shell                            animal skins, known as parchment.
                                              clay envelope, which is also inscribed.                                                                          2. Torahs and portions thereof: Scrolls
                                                                                                         A. Sculpture                                       bearing Hebrew writing in black ink,
                                              Both tablets and envelopes may be                          1. Ivory plaques sculpted in relief are
                                              impressed with cylinder or stamp seals.                                                                       wound around two wooden rods, and
                                                                                                      a hallmark of Syrian sculpture. They                  originally housed in a cylindrical
                                                 2. Bricks of fired clay inscribed or
                                                                                                      were used in particular as parts of                   wooden case.
                                              stamped with cuneiform inscriptions
                                                                                                      furniture; they may also have been                       B. Paper
                                              that are often placed in small frames on
                                                                                                      components of tools/weapons and                          1. Qur’ans and manuscripts, and
                                              one of the sides. Approximately 30 × 30
                                                                                                      placed on walls as artistic elements.                 individual pages thereof, sometimes
                                              × 10 cm.
                                                                                                      Decorative motifs include animals,                    illustrated, written on paper and bound
                                                 3. Cones of fired clay. The large end
                                                                                                      humans, plants, combat, hunting,                      as books.
                                              is sometimes flat, sometimes mushroom
                                                                                                      feasting, mythological creatures (e.g.,                  2. Rare printed books.
                                              shaped. Inscribed cuneiform characters
                                                                                                      griffins), and mythological and religious                3. Religious, ceremonial, literary, and
                                              can cover the head and/or body of the
                                                                                                      scenes, among others. In some periods,                administrative material, including but
                                              cone. Approximately 15 cm long.
                                                 4. Cylinders: Large cuneiform-                       Syrian ivories may look Egyptian                      not limited to maps, archival materials,
                                              inscribed objects can take the form of a                (‘‘Egyptianizing’’).                                  photographs, and other rare or
                                              multisided prism or barrel. The                            2. Statuettes in the round of ivory,               important documentary or historical
                                              inscription typically covers all sides of               including human, animal, and                          material.
                                              the object. Approximately 20–30 cm                      mythological figures and parts thereof.                  C. Leather
                                              high.                                                      B. Objects of daily use                               1. Armor, sandals, clothing, and horse
                                                 5. Ostraca, pottery shards used as                      1. Ivory, bone, shell, and mother of               trappings from the Islamic period.
                                              surface for writing or drawing.                         pearl were used either alone or as inlays                2. Early texts written on leather.
                                                                                                      in luxury objects including furniture,                Manuscripts and rare books bound in
                                              IV. Wood                                                chests and boxes (pyxis/pyxides),                     leather.
                                                 A. Architectural elements—Including                  writing and painting equipment,
                                                                                                      musical instruments (e.g., flutes), games             X. Painting and Drawing
                                              carved and inlaid wooden walls, floors,
                                              panels, screens, balconies, stages, doors,              (e.g., dice), cosmetic containers, combs,                A. Wall Painting—These are usually
                                              ceilings, beams, altars, and vaulting and               jewelry, mirror backs and handles,                    painted on lime plaster in the fresco
                                              elements thereof (e.g., muqarnas), often                amulets, fly whisk handles, and seals.                method. Syrian wall paintings come
                                              decorated with stars, floral motifs,                    Ivory objects from Islamic periods may                from many periods and depict a wide
                                              geometric patterns, religious                           have Arabic inscriptions.                             range of subjects. They are found in
                                              iconography (e.g., crosses), and Arabic                    2. Utilitarian objects of bone and ivory           both religious and secular buildings.
                                              script. Elements may comprise most or                   include but are not limited to utensils                  1. Pre-classical paintings may show
                                              all of entire rooms.                                    and tools such as awls and needles.                   religious scenes, such as worshippers
                                                 B. Religious equipment—Including                                                                           approaching standing and seated
                                                                                                      VII. Plaster and Stucco
                                              pulpits (minbars) and prayer niches                                                                           deities, sometimes with sacrificial
                                              (mihrabs), often intricately carved and                   A. Plaster—Pre-Pottery Neolithic                    animals, scenes with the ruler,
                                              with accompanying Arabic script                         containers were often made of plaster.                mythological vignettes and creatures,
                                              decoration, and sometimes inlaid; book                  In later periods, painted or gilded                   and palm trees. Later paintings depict
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                                              holders, lecterns, and cabinets; smaller                plaster was used for jewelry and other                courtly and militaristic themes, as well
                                              objects such as cases/chests.                           objects in imitation of expensive                     as the ruler and high officials.
                                                 C. Objects of daily use—Including                    materials.                                               2. Classical period paintings generally
                                              furniture such as chairs, stools, and                     B. Stucco—Islamic architectural                     show biblical and religious scenes.
                                              beds, chests and boxes, writing and                     decorations in stucco, including vegetal              Christian paintings may show
                                              painting equipment, musical                             forms and sculptures of humans and                    personages such as Jesus, Virgin Mary,
                                              instruments (e.g., ouds and rababa                      animals.                                              the apostles, and angels, and include


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                                              53920             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                              iconography such as crosses. Jewish                     standard prior notice and comment                     and therefore is specifically exempted
                                              paintings may include iconography                       procedures do not apply to agency                     by section 3(d)(2) of Executive Order
                                              such as menorahs. Paintings from the                    rulemaking that involves the foreign                  12866.
                                              Roman and other polytheistic traditions                 affairs function of the United States.
                                              may depict deities such as winged                       CBP has determined that this final rule               Signing Authority
                                              Victory and mythological scenes.                        involves a foreign affairs function of the              This regulation is being issued in
                                              Christian wall paintings continue into                  United States as it implements authority              accordance with 19 CFR 0.1(a)(1),
                                              the Byzantine period.                                   granted to the President under the                    pertaining to the Secretary of the
                                                 3. Islamic period paintings may depict               Protect and Preserve International
                                                                                                                                                            Treasury’s authority (or that of his/her
                                              courtly themes (e.g., musicians, riders                 Cultural Property Act and section 304 of
                                                                                                                                                            delegate) to approve regulations related
                                              on horses) and city views, among other                  the Convention on Cultural Property
                                                                                                                                                            to customs revenue functions.
                                              topics.                                                 Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 2603) to
                                                 B. Byzantine panel paintings (icons)—                impose import restrictions on                         List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 12
                                              Generally portray Jesus, Mary, Christian                archaeological or ethnological material
                                              saints, religious images, and scenes of                 of Syria. The Protect and Preserve                      Cultural property, Customs duties and
                                              biblical events. Surrounding paintings                  International Cultural Property Act and               inspection, Imports, Prohibited
                                              may contain animal, floral, or geometric                this rule do no more than carry out the               merchandise.
                                              designs, including borders and bands.                   obligations of the United States under
                                                                                                                                                            Amendment to CBP Regulations
                                              May be partially covered with gold or                   the 1970 UNESCO Convention and
                                              silver, sometimes encrusted with semi-                  Chapter VII of the United Nations                       For the reasons set forth above, part
                                              precious or precious stones, and are                    Charter. Accordingly, the rulemaking                  12 of title 19 of the Code of Federal
                                              usually painted on a wooden panel,                      requirements under the APA do not                     Regulations (19 CFR part 12), is
                                              often for inclusion in a wooden screen                  apply, and this final rule will be                    amended as set forth below:
                                              (iconastasis). May also be painted on                   effective upon publication.
                                              ceramic.                                                   In addition, section 553(b)(B) of the              PART 12—SPECIAL CLASSES OF
                                                                                                      APA provides that notice and public                   MERCHANDISE
                                              XI. Mosaic                                              procedure are not required when an
                                                A. Floor mosaics—Greco-Roman and                      agency for good cause finds them
                                                                                                                                                            ■ 1. The general authority citation for
                                              Byzantine, including landscapes,                        impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary
                                                                                                                                                            part 12 continues to read, and the
                                              humans or gods, mythological scenes,                    to public interest. CBP has determined
                                                                                                                                                            specific authority for § 12.104k is added
                                              and quotidian activities such as hunting                that providing prior notice and public
                                              and fishing. There may also be                                                                                to read, as follows:
                                                                                                      procedure for these regulations would
                                              vegetative, floral, or decorative motifs.               be impracticable, unnecessary, and                      Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202
                                              They are made from stone cut into small                 contrary to the public interest because               (General Note 3(i), Harmonized Tariff
                                              pieces (tesserae) and laid into a plaster               immediate action is necessary, and                    Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)),
                                              matrix.                                                 contemplated, in order to respond to the              1624;
                                                B. Wall and ceiling mosaics—                          ongoing pillage of Syrian cultural                    *        *   *     *    *
                                              generally portray religious images,                     antiquities and to avoid damage to those                Section 12.104k also issued under Pub. L.
                                              scenes of Biblical and Qur’anic events,                 antiquities in Syria until hostilities have           114–151, 130 Stat. 369; 19 U.S.C. 2612;
                                              and views of cities and buildings.                      ceased. Any delay in this action will                 *        *   *     *    *
                                              Surrounding panels may contain                          likely result in further damage to the
                                              animal, floral, or geometric designs.                   Syrian cultural antiquities that Congress             ■   2. Add § 12.104k to read as follows:
                                              Similar technique to floor mosaics, but                 was seeking to protect with the Protect
                                              may include tesserae of both stone and                                                                        § 12.104k Emergency protection for Syrian
                                                                                                      and Preserve International Cultural
                                                                                                                                                            cultural antiquities.
                                              glass.                                                  Property Act.
                                                                                                         Finally, section 553(d)(3) of the APA                (a) Restriction. Importation of
                                              XII. Writing
                                                                                                      permits agencies to make a rule effective             archaeological or ethnological material
                                                On paper, parchment, leather, wood,                   less than 30 days after publication when              of Syria is restricted pursuant to the
                                              ivory, stone, metal, textile, stucco, clay,             the agency finds that good cause exists               Protect and Preserve International
                                              mosaic, painting, and ceramic, in                       for dispensing with a delayed effective               Cultural Property Act (Pub. L. 114–151)
                                              pictographic, cuneiform, Phoenician,                    date. For the reasons described above,                and section 304 of the Convention on
                                              Aramaic, Syriac, Hebrew, Greek, Latin,                  CBP finds that good cause exists to                   Cultural Property Implementation Act
                                              and Arabic scripts.                                     make these regulations effective without              (19 U.S.C. 2603), unless a restriction is
                                              Inapplicability of Notice and Delayed                   a delayed effective date.                             waived pursuant to section 3(c) of the
                                              Effective Date                                          Regulatory Flexibility Act                            Protect and Preserve International
                                                 Under section 553 of the                                                                                   Cultural Property Act.
                                                                                                        Because no notice of proposed
                                              Administrative Procedure Act (‘‘APA’’)                  rulemaking is required, the provisions                  (b) Description of restricted material.
                                              (5 U.S.C. 553), agencies amending their                 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                  The term ‘‘archaeological or
                                              regulations generally are required to                   U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply.                     ethnological material of Syria’’ means
                                              publish a notice of proposed rulemaking                                                                       cultural property as defined in section
                                              in the Federal Register that solicits                   Executive Order 12866                                 302 of the Convention on Cultural
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                                              public comment on the proposed                            CBP has determined that this                        Property Implementation Act (19 U.S.C.
                                              amendments, consider public comments                    document is not a regulation or rule                  2601) that is unlawfully removed from
                                              in deciding on the final content of the                 subject to the provisions of Executive                Syria on or after March 15, 2011. CBP
                                              final amendments, and publish the final                 Order 12866 of September 30, 1993 (58                 Decision 16–10 sets forth the Designated
                                              amendments at least 30 days prior to                    FR 51735, October 4, 1993), because it                List of Archaeological and Ethnological
                                              their effective date. However, section                  pertains to a foreign affairs function of             Material of Syria that describes the
                                              553(a)(1) of the APA provides that the                  the United States, as described above,                types of objects or categories of


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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                       53921

                                              archaeological or ethnological material                 ask to be connected to 202–326–4400                         interest. This finding is based on the
                                              that are subject to import restrictions.                ext. 3451.)                                                 need to determine and issue new
                                                                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PBGC’s                           interest assumptions promptly so that
                                              R. Gil Kerlikowske,
                                                                                                      regulation on Benefits Payable in                           the assumptions can reflect current
                                              Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border
                                              Protection.                                             Terminated Single-Employer Plans (29                        market conditions as accurately as
                                                                                                      CFR part 4022) prescribes actuarial                         possible.
                                                Approved: August 11, 2016.
                                                                                                      assumptions—including interest                                 Because of the need to provide
                                              Timothy E. Skud,
                                                                                                      assumptions—for paying plan benefits                        immediate guidance for the payment of
                                              Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
                                                                                                      under terminating single-employer                           benefits under plans with valuation
                                              [FR Doc. 2016–19491 Filed 8–11–16; 4:15 pm]                                                                         dates during September 2016, PBGC
                                                                                                      plans covered by title IV of the
                                              BILLING CODE 9111–14–P                                  Employee Retirement Income Security                         finds that good cause exists for making
                                                                                                      Act of 1974. The interest assumptions in                    the assumptions set forth in this
                                                                                                      the regulation are also published on                        amendment effective less than 30 days
                                              PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY                                PBGC’s Web site (http://www.pbgc.gov).                      after publication.
                                              CORPORATION                                                PBGC uses the interest assumptions in                       PBGC has determined that this action
                                                                                                      Appendix B to Part 4022 to determine                        is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
                                              29 CFR Part 4022                                        whether a benefit is payable as a lump                      under the criteria set forth in Executive
                                              Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-                  sum and to determine the amount to                          Order 12866.
                                              Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions                    pay. Appendix C to Part 4022 contains                          Because no general notice of proposed
                                              for Paying Benefits                                     interest assumptions for private-sector                     rulemaking is required for this
                                                                                                      pension practitioners to refer to if they                   amendment, the Regulatory Flexibility
                                              AGENCY:  Pension Benefit Guaranty                       wish to use lump-sum interest rates                         Act of 1980 does not apply. See 5 U.S.C.
                                              Corporation.                                            determined using PBGC’s historical                          601(2).
                                              ACTION: Final rule.                                     methodology. Currently, the rates in
                                                                                                      Appendices B and C of the benefit                           List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 4022
                                              SUMMARY:   This final rule amends the                   payment regulation are the same.
                                              Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s                                                                                Employee benefit plans, Pension
                                                                                                         The interest assumptions are intended                    insurance, Pensions, Reporting and
                                              regulation on Benefits Payable in                       to reflect current conditions in the
                                              Terminated Single-Employer Plans to                                                                                 recordkeeping requirements.
                                                                                                      financial and annuity markets.
                                              prescribe interest assumptions under                    Assumptions under the benefit                                 In consideration of the foregoing, 29
                                              the regulation for valuation dates in                   payments regulation are updated                             CFR part 4022 is amended as follows:
                                              September 2016. The interest                            monthly. This final rule updates the
                                              assumptions are used for paying                                                                                     PART 4022—BENEFITS PAYABLE IN
                                                                                                      benefit payments interest assumptions                       TERMINATED SINGLE-EMPLOYER
                                              benefits under terminating single-                      for September 2016.1
                                              employer plans covered by the pension                                                                               PLANS
                                                                                                         The September 2016 interest
                                              insurance system administered by                        assumptions under the benefit payments
                                              PBGC.                                                                                                               ■ 1. The authority citation for part 4022
                                                                                                      regulation will be 0.50 percent for the                     continues to read as follows:
                                              DATES: Effective September 1, 2016.                     period during which a benefit is in pay
                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        status and 4.00 percent during any years                      Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1302, 1322, 1322b,
                                                                                                                                                                  1341(c)(3)(D), and 1344.
                                              Deborah C. Murphy                                       preceding the benefit’s placement in pay
                                              (Murphy.Deborah@pbgc.gov), Assistant                    status. In comparison with the interest                     ■ 2. In appendix B to part 4022, Rate Set
                                              General Counsel for Regulatory Affairs,                 assumptions in effect for August 2016,                      275, as set forth below, is added to the
                                              Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation,                   these interest assumptions are                              table.
                                              1200 K Street NW., Washington, DC                       unchanged.
                                              20005, 202–326–4400 ext. 3451. (TTY/                       PBGC has determined that notice and                      Appendix B to Part 4022—Lump Sum
                                              TDD users may call the Federal relay                    public comment on this amendment are                        Interest Rates for PBGC Payments
                                              service toll-free at 1–800–877–8339 and                 impracticable and contrary to the public                    *      *        *        *        *

                                                                  For plans with a valuation                                                               Deferred annuities (percent)
                                                                                                        Immediate
                                                                            date
                                                  Rate set                                             annuity rate
                                                                                                         (percent)                i1                  i2                 i3                    n1           n2
                                                                  On or after          Before


                                                          *                     *                         *                        *                         *                         *                *
                                                    275             9–1–16            10–1–16                 0.50               4.00                4.00              4.00                    7            8


                                              ■ 3. In appendix C to part 4022, Rate Set               Appendix C to Part 4022—Lump Sum
                                              275, as set forth below, is added to the                Interest Rates for Private-Sector
                                              table.                                                  Payments
                                                                                                      *        *      *      *         *
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                                                1 Appendix B to PBGC’s regulation on Allocation
                                                                                                      benefits under terminating covered single-employer          ERISA section 4044. Those assumptions are
                                              of Assets in Single-Employer Plans (29 CFR part         plans for purposes of allocation of assets under            updated quarterly.
                                              4044) prescribes interest assumptions for valuing



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Document Created: 2016-08-13 02:22:13
Document Modified: 2016-08-13 02:22:13
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
ActionFinal rule.
ContactFor legal aspects, Lisa L. Burley, Chief, Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted Merchandise Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, (202) 325-0215. For operational aspects, William R. Scopa, Branch Chief, Partner Government Agency Branch, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of Trade, (202) 863- 6554, [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 53916 
RIN Number1515-AE14
CFR AssociatedCultural Property; Customs Duties and Inspection; Imports and Prohibited Merchandise

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