83 FR 17561 - Renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Retroactive Application for Certain Liquidations and Reliquidations Under the GSP

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

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 77 (April 20, 2018)

Page Range		17561-17562
FR Document		2018-08411

The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is a renewable preferential trade program that allows the eligible products of designated beneficiary developing countries to enter the United States free of duty. The GSP program expired on December 31, 2017, but has been renewed through December 31, 2020, effective April 22, 2018, with retroactive effect between January 1, 2018, through April 21, 2018, by a provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. This document provides notice to importers that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will again accept claims for GSP duty-free treatment for merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption and that CBP will process refunds on duties paid, without interest, on GSP-eligible merchandise that was entered during the period that the GSP program was lapsed. Formal and informal entries that were filed electronically via the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) using Special Program Indicator (SPI) Code ``A'' as a prefix to the tariff number will be automatically processed by CBP and no further action by the filer is required to initiate the refund process. Non-ABI filers, and ABI filers that did not include SPI Code ``A'' on the entry, must timely submit a duty refund request to CBP. CBP will continue conducting verifications to ensure that GSP benefits are available to eligible entries only.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 77 (Friday, April 20, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17561-17562]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08411]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and 
Retroactive Application for Certain Liquidations and Reliquidations 
Under the GSP

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

ACTION: General notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is a renewable 
preferential trade program that allows the eligible products of 
designated beneficiary developing countries to enter the United States 
free of duty. The GSP program expired on December 31, 2017, but has 
been renewed through December 31, 2020, effective April 22, 2018, with 
retroactive effect between January 1, 2018, through April 21, 2018, by 
a provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018.
    This document provides notice to importers that U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection (CBP) will again accept claims for GSP duty-free 
treatment for merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption and that CBP will process refunds on duties paid, without 
interest, on GSP-eligible merchandise that was entered during the 
period that the GSP program was lapsed. Formal and informal entries 
that were filed electronically via the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) 
using Special Program Indicator (SPI) Code ``A'' as a prefix to the 
tariff number will be automatically processed by CBP and no further 
action by the filer is required to initiate the refund process. Non-ABI 
filers, and ABI filers that did not include SPI Code ``A'' on the 
entry, must timely submit a duty refund request to CBP. CBP will 
continue conducting verifications to ensure that GSP benefits are 
available to eligible entries only.

DATES: As of April 22, 2018, the filing of GSP-eligible entry summaries 
may be resumed without the payment of estimated duties, and CBP will 
initiate the automatic liquidation or reliquidation of formal and 
informal entries of GSP-eligible merchandise that was entered on or 
after January 1, 2018, through April 21, 2018, and filed via ABI with 
SPI Code ``A'' notated on the entry. Requests for refunds of GSP duties 
paid on eligible non-ABI entries, or eligible ABI entries filed without 
SPI Code ``A,'' must be filed with CBP no later than September 19, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Instructions for submitting a request to CBP to liquidate or 
reliquidate entries of GSP-eligible merchandise that was entered on or 
after January 1, 2018, through April 21, 2018 but without the SPI Code 
``A'' are located at http://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/trade-agreements/special-trade-legislation/generalized-system-preferences.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General questions concerning this 
notice should be directed to Seth Mazze, Office of Trade, Trade 
Agreements Branch, 202-863-6567 or at [email protected]. For operational 
questions regarding: Formal/Informal Entries and Baggage Declarations: 
Randy Mitchell, 202-863-6532; Mail Entries: Robert Woods, 202-344-1236; 
Non-ABI Informal Entries: Contact the appropriate Center of Excellence 
and Expertise. Questions from filers regarding ABI transmissions should 
be directed to their assigned ABI client representative.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 501 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2461), 
authorizes the President to establish a Generalized System of 
Preferences (GSP) to provide duty-free treatment for eligible articles 
imported directly from designated beneficiary countries for specific 
time periods. Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 2465, as amended by section 201(a) 
of Pub. L. 114-27, 129 Stat. 371, duty-free treatment under the GSP 
program expired on December 31, 2017.
    On March 23, 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. Law 115-141, 132 Stat. 348) 
(the Act). Section 501 of Title V of the Act pertains to the extension 
of duty-free treatment and the retroactive application for certain 
liquidations and reliquidations under the GSP. Section 501(b)(1) 
provides that GSP duty-free treatment will be applied to eligible 
articles from designated beneficiary countries that are entered, or 
withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after April 22, 2018 
through December 31, 2020. Section 501(b)(2) provides that for entries 
made on or after January 1, 2018 through April 21, 2018 (30th day after 
the date of enactment of the Act), to which duty-free treatment would 
have applied if GSP had been in effect during that time period 
(``covered entries''), any duty paid with respect to such entry will be 
refunded provided that a request for liquidation or reliquidation of 
that entry, containing sufficient information to enable U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection (CBP) to locate the entry or to reconstruct the 
entry if it cannot be located, is filed with CBP no later than 
September 19, 2018 (180 days after enactment of the Act). Section 
501(b)(2)(C) provides that any amounts owed by the United States 
pursuant to section 501(b)(2)(A) will be paid without interest.
    Field locations will not issue GSP refunds except as instructed to 
do so by CBP Headquarters. The processing of retroactive GSP duty 
refunds will be administered by CBP according to the terms set forth 
below.

[[Page 17562]]

Duty-Free Entry Summaries

    As of April 22, 2018, filers may resume filing GSP-eligible entry 
summaries without the payment of estimated duties.

GSP Duty Refunds

Formal/Informal Entries

    CBP will automatically liquidate or reliquidate formal and informal 
entries of GSP-eligible merchandise that were entered on or after 
January 1, 2018 through April 21, 2018, and filed electronically via 
the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) using Special Program Indicator 
(SPI) Code ``A'' as a prefix to the listed tariff number. Such entry 
filings will be treated as a conforming request for a liquidation or 
reliquidation pursuant to section 501(b)(2)(A) of the Act, and no 
further action by the filer is required to initiate a retroactive GSP 
duty refund. To avoid confusion, importers should not submit post-
importation GSP claims on tariff items filed with the SPI ``A'' at 
entry summary. CBP expects to begin processing automatic refunds for 
these entries shortly after April 22, 2018.
    CBP will not automatically process GSP duty refunds for formal 
covered entries that were not filed electronically via ABI, nor for 
formal and informal covered entries that were filed electronically via 
ABI with payment of estimated duties, but without inclusion of the SPI 
Code ``A'' as a prefix to the listed tariff number. In both situations, 
requests for liquidation or reliquidation of covered entries must be 
made no later than September 19, 2018, pursuant to the procedures set 
forth in http://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/trade-agreements/special-trade-legislation/generalized-system-preferences.

Mail Entries

    For merchandise that was imported via the mail, addressees must 
request liquidation or reliquidation of covered entries no later than 
September 19, 2018, pursuant to the procedures set forth in http://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/trade-agreements/special-trade-legislation/generalized-system-preferences.

Baggage Declarations and Non-ABI Informals

    For non-ABI informal entries and baggage declarations, travelers/
importers must request liquidation or reliquidation of covered entries 
no later than September 19, 2018, pursuant to the procedures set forth 
in http://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/trade-agreements/special-trade-legislation/generalized-system-preferences.

    Dated: April 18, 2018.
Brenda B. Smith,
Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade.
[FR Doc. 2018-08411 Filed 4-18-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 9111-14-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices 17561

or no proposals submitted for this SUMMARY: The Generalized System of dhs.gov. For operational questions
CRADA. The Coast Guard will provide Preferences (GSP) is a renewable regarding: Formal/Informal Entries and
no funding for reimbursement of preferential trade program that allows Baggage Declarations: Randy Mitchell,
proposal development costs. Proposals the eligible products of designated 202–863–6532; Mail Entries: Robert
and any other material submitted in beneficiary developing countries to Woods, 202–344–1236; Non-ABI
response to this notice will not be enter the United States free of duty. The Informal Entries: Contact the
returned. Proposals submitted are GSP program expired on December 31, appropriate Center of Excellence and
expected to be unclassified and have not 2017, but has been renewed through Expertise. Questions from filers
more than five single-sided pages December 31, 2020, effective April 22, regarding ABI transmissions should be
(excluding cover page, DD 1494, JF–12, 2018, with retroactive effect between directed to their assigned ABI client
etc.). The Coast Guard will select January 1, 2018, through April 21, 2018, representative.
proposals at its sole discretion on the by a provision in the Consolidated
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
basis of: Appropriations Act, 2018.
(1) How well they communicate an This document provides notice to Background
understanding, of and ability to meet, importers that U.S. Customs and Border Section 501 of the Trade Act of 1974,
the proposed CRADA’s goal; and Protection (CBP) will again accept as amended (19 U.S.C. 2461), authorizes
(2) How well they address the claims for GSP duty-free treatment for
following criteria: the President to establish a Generalized
merchandise entered, or withdrawn System of Preferences (GSP) to provide
(a) Technical capability to support the from warehouse, for consumption and
non-Federal party contributions duty-free treatment for eligible articles
that CBP will process refunds on duties imported directly from designated
described, and paid, without interest, on GSP-eligible
(b) Resources available for supporting beneficiary countries for specific time
merchandise that was entered during periods. Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 2465, as
the non-Federal party contributions the period that the GSP program was
described. amended by section 201(a) of Pub. L.
lapsed. Formal and informal entries that 114–27, 129 Stat. 371, duty-free
Currently, the Coast Guard is were filed electronically via the
considering GORE for participation in treatment under the GSP program
Automated Broker Interface (ABI) using expired on December 31, 2017.
this CRADA. This consideration is Special Program Indicator (SPI) Code
based on the fact that GORE has On March 23, 2018, President Donald
‘‘A’’ as a prefix to the tariff number will J. Trump signed the Consolidated
demonstrated its technical ability and
be automatically processed by CBP and Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. Law
availability of appropriate facilities to
no further action by the filer is required 115–141, 132 Stat. 348) (the Act).
effectively determine insulation
to initiate the refund process. Non-ABI Section 501 of Title V of the Act
properties of clothing. However, we do
filers, and ABI filers that did not pertains to the extension of duty-free
not wish to exclude other viable
include SPI Code ‘‘A’’ on the entry, treatment and the retroactive
participants from this or future similar
must timely submit a duty refund application for certain liquidations and
CRADAs.
This is a technology assessment effort. request to CBP. CBP will continue reliquidations under the GSP. Section
The goal of the Coast Guard for this conducting verifications to ensure that 501(b)(1) provides that GSP duty-free
CRADA is to determine the insulation GSP benefits are available to eligible treatment will be applied to eligible
properties of the Coast Guard’s MWCSS entries only. articles from designated beneficiary
in the air instead of the water which the DATES: As of April 22, 2018, the filing countries that are entered, or withdrawn
system was designed for. Special of GSP-eligible entry summaries may be from warehouse, for consumption on or
consideration will be given to small resumed without the payment of after April 22, 2018 through December
business firms/consortia, and preference estimated duties, and CBP will initiate 31, 2020. Section 501(b)(2) provides that
will be given to business units located the automatic liquidation or for entries made on or after January 1,
in the U.S. This notice is issued under reliquidation of formal and informal 2018 through April 21, 2018 (30th day
the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a). entries of GSP-eligible merchandise that after the date of enactment of the Act),
was entered on or after January 1, 2018, to which duty-free treatment would
Dated: April 10, 2018.
through April 21, 2018, and filed via have applied if GSP had been in effect
G.C. Rothrock, ABI with SPI Code ‘‘A’’ notated on the during that time period (‘‘covered
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commanding entry. Requests for refunds of GSP
Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Research and entries’’), any duty paid with respect to
duties paid on eligible non-ABI entries, such entry will be refunded provided
Development Center.
or eligible ABI entries filed without SPI that a request for liquidation or
[FR Doc. 2018–08311 Filed 4–19–18; 8:45 am]
Code ‘‘A,’’ must be filed with CBP no reliquidation of that entry, containing
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P later than September 19, 2018. sufficient information to enable U.S.
ADDRESSES: Instructions for submitting a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND request to CBP to liquidate or locate the entry or to reconstruct the
SECURITY reliquidate entries of GSP-eligible entry if it cannot be located, is filed
merchandise that was entered on or with CBP no later than September 19,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection after January 1, 2018, through April 21, 2018 (180 days after enactment of the
2018 but without the SPI Code ‘‘A’’ are Act). Section 501(b)(2)(C) provides that
Renewal of the Generalized System of located at http://www.cbp.gov/trade/ any amounts owed by the United States
Preferences (GSP) and Retroactive priority-issues/trade-agreements/ pursuant to section 501(b)(2)(A) will be
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

Application for Certain Liquidations special-trade-legislation/generalized- paid without interest.
and Reliquidations Under the GSP system-preferences. Field locations will not issue GSP
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: refunds except as instructed to do so by
Protection, Department of Homeland General questions concerning this CBP Headquarters. The processing of
Security. notice should be directed to Seth Mazze, retroactive GSP duty refunds will be
Office of Trade, Trade Agreements administered by CBP according to the
ACTION: General notice.
Branch, 202–863–6567 or at fta@ terms set forth below.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Apr 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1

17562 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices

Duty-Free Entry Summaries legislation/generalized-system- by mail: Bureau of Land Management,
As of April 22, 2018, filers may preferences. 222 West 7th Avenue, #13, Anchorage,
resume filing GSP-eligible entry Dated: April 18, 2018. Alaska 99513–7599. You may also
summaries without the payment of Brenda B. Smith,
request to be added to the mailing list
estimated duties. for the EIS. Documents pertaining to the
Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of
EIS may be examined at http://
Trade.
GSP Duty Refunds www.blm.gov/alaska.
[FR Doc. 2018–08411 Filed 4–18–18; 4:15 pm]
Persons who use a
Formal/Informal Entries BILLING CODE 9111–14–P telecommunications device for the deaf
CBP will automatically liquidate or (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
reliquidate formal and informal entries Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
of GSP-eligible merchandise that were DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR contact the above individual during
entered on or after January 1, 2018 normal business hours. FRS is available
through April 21, 2018, and filed Bureau of Land Management 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave
electronically via the Automated Broker [18X.LLAK930100.L16100000.PN0000] a message or question with the above
Interface (ABI) using Special Program individual. You will receive a reply
Indicator (SPI) Code ‘‘A’’ as a prefix to Notice of Intent To Prepare an during normal business hours.
the listed tariff number. Such entry Environmental Impact Statement for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM
filings will be treated as a conforming the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing is undertaking a Coastal Plain Oil and
request for a liquidation or reliquidation Program, Alaska Gas Leasing EIS to implement the
pursuant to section 501(b)(2)(A) of the leasing program pursuant to the Tax Act
Act, and no further action by the filer is AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, (Pub. L. 115–97, Dec. 22, 2017). The
required to initiate a retroactive GSP Interior. Leasing EIS will serve to inform BLM’s
duty refund. To avoid confusion, ACTION: Notice of Intent. implementation of the Tax Act,
importers should not submit post- including the requirement to hold not
importation GSP claims on tariff items SUMMARY: In accordance with Section fewer than two lease sales area-wide. It
filed with the SPI ‘‘A’’ at entry 20001 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of may also inform post-lease activities,
summary. CBP expects to begin 2017 (Tax Act), and the National including seismic and drilling
processing automatic refunds for these Environmental Policy Act of 1969, exploration, development, and
entries shortly after April 22, 2018. (NEPA) as amended, and in a manner transportation of oil and gas in and from
CBP will not automatically process similar to the administration of lease the Coastal Plain. Specifically, the
GSP duty refunds for formal covered sales under the Naval Petroleum Leasing EIS will consider and analyze
entries that were not filed electronically Reserves Production Act of 1976, as the potential environmental impacts of
via ABI, nor for formal and informal amended, the Bureau of Land various leasing alternatives, including
covered entries that were filed Management (BLM) Alaska State Office, the areas to offer for sale, and the terms
electronically via ABI with payment of Anchorage, Alaska, intends to prepare a and conditions (i.e., lease stipulations
estimated duties, but without inclusion Leasing Environmental Impact and best management practices) to be
of the SPI Code ‘‘A’’ as a prefix to the Statement (Leasing EIS) to implement applied to leases and associated oil and
listed tariff number. In both situations, an oil and gas leasing program within gas activities to properly balance oil and
requests for liquidation or reliquidation the area defined as the ‘‘Coastal Plain.’’ gas development with existing uses and
of covered entries must be made no later DATES: This Notice initiates the public conservation of surface resources, and to
than September 19, 2018, pursuant to scoping process for the Leasing EIS. limit the footprint of production and
the procedures set forth in http:// Comments on issues, impacts and support facilities on Federal lands to no
www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/ potential alternatives to be analyzed more than 2,000 surface acres. The area
trade-agreements/special-trade- may be submitted in writing until June comprising the Coastal Plain includes
legislation/generalized-system- 19, 2018. The BLM will hold public approximately 1.6 million acres within
preferences. scoping meetings in Anchorage, Arctic the approximately 19.3 million-acre
Village, Fairbanks, Kaktovik and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Mail Entries
Utqiaġvik. The BLM may hold The purpose of the public scoping
For merchandise that was imported additional public scoping meetings in process is to determine the scope of
via the mail, addressees must request other communities if there is strong issues to be addressed and to identify
liquidation or reliquidation of covered community interest. The dates, times, the significant issues related to
entries no later than September 19, and locations of scoping meetings will implementing an oil and gas leasing
2018, pursuant to the procedures set be announced through local news program within the Coastal Plain.
forth in http://www.cbp.gov/trade/ media, newspapers, and the BLM Information received during scoping
priority-issues/trade-agreements/ website. will influence the development of the
special-trade-legislation/generalized- proposed action and alternatives and
system-preferences. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments guide the environmental analysis.
by any of the following methods: The BLM will work collaboratively
Baggage Declarations and Non-ABI • Website: [insert full URL]. with interested parties to identify the
Informals • Email: blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@ management decisions best suited to
For non-ABI informal entries and blm.gov.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

local, regional, and national needs and
baggage declarations, travelers/ • Mail: BLM, Alaska State Office, concerns, as well as to develop a
importers must request liquidation or Attention—Coastal Plain EIS, 222 West proposed action and alternatives
reliquidation of covered entries no later 7th Avenue, #13, Anchorage, AK consistent with the following criteria:
than September 19, 2018, pursuant to 99513–7599. • The EIS will consider all Federal
the procedures set forth in http:// FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: lands and waters within the area
www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/ Nicole Hayes, 907–271–4354; email defined by Congress as the Coastal
trade-agreements/special-trade- blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@blm.gov; or Plain;

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Apr 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1

Document Created: 2018-04-20 00:03:03
Document Modified: 2018-04-20 00:03:03

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		General notice.
Dates		As of April 22, 2018, the filing of GSP-eligible entry summaries may be resumed without the payment of estimated duties, and CBP will initiate the automatic liquidation or reliquidation of formal and informal entries of GSP-eligible merchandise that was entered on or after January 1, 2018, through April 21, 2018, and filed via ABI with SPI Code ``A'' notated on the entry. Requests for refunds of GSP duties paid on eligible non-ABI entries, or eligible ABI entries filed without SPI Code ``A,'' must be filed with CBP no later than September 19, 2018.
Contact		General questions concerning this notice should be directed to Seth Mazze, Office of Trade, Trade Agreements Branch, 202-863-6567 or at [email protected] For operational questions regarding: Formal/Informal Entries and Baggage Declarations: Randy Mitchell, 202-863-6532; Mail Entries: Robert Woods, 202-344-1236; Non-ABI Informal Entries: Contact the appropriate Center of Excellence and Expertise. Questions from filers regarding ABI transmissions should be directed to their assigned ABI client representative.
FR Citation		83 FR 17561

83 FR 17561 - Renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Retroactive Application for Certain Liquidations and Reliquidations Under the GSP

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITYU.S. Customs and Border Protection

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 77 (April 20, 2018)

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