83_FR_24915 83 FR 24811 - Notice of Issuance of Final Determination Concerning Certain Electric Scissor Lifts

83 FR 24811 - Notice of Issuance of Final Determination Concerning Certain Electric Scissor Lifts

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

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 104 (May 30, 2018)

Page Range24811-24813
FR Document2018-11504

This document provides notice that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (``CBP'') has issued a final determination concerning the country of origin of certain electric scissor lifts. Based upon the facts presented, CBP has concluded that the country of origin of the electric scissor lifts in question is the United States, for purposes of U.S. Government procurement.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 104 (Wednesday, May 30, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24811-24813]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11504]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Notice of Issuance of Final Determination Concerning Certain 
Electric Scissor Lifts

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

ACTION: Notice of final determination.

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

SUMMARY: This document provides notice that U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (``CBP'') has issued a final determination concerning the 
country of origin of certain electric scissor lifts. Based upon the 
facts presented, CBP has concluded that the country of origin of the 
electric scissor lifts in question is the United States, for purposes 
of U.S. Government procurement.

DATES: The final determination was issued on May 21, 2018. A copy of 
the final determination is attached. Any party-at-interest, as defined 
in 19 C.F.R. 177.22(d), may seek judicial review of this final 
determination within June 29, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yuliya A. Gulis, Valuation and Special 
Programs Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, at (202) 
325-0042.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that on May 21, 2018 
pursuant to subpart B of Part 177, U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
Regulations (19 C.F.R. part 177, subpart B), CBP issued a final 
determination concerning the country of origin of certain electric 
scissor lifts (R Series Scissor Lift models 2632R, 3246R, and 4045R), 
produced by JLG Industries, Inc., which may be offered to the U.S. 
Government under an undesignated government procurement contract. This 
final determination, HQ H294980, was issued under procedures set forth 
at 19 C.F.R. part 177, subpart B, which implements Title III of the 
Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2511-18). In the 
final determination, CBP concluded that the country of origin of the 
electric scissor lifts is the United States for purposes of U.S. 
Government procurement.
    Section 177.29, CBP Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177.29), provides that a 
notice of final determination shall be published in the Federal 
Register within 60 days of the date the final determination is issued. 
Section 177.30, CBP Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177.30), provides that any 
party-at-interest, as defined in 19 C.F.R. 177.22(d), may seek judicial 
review of a final determination within 30 days of publication of such 
determination in the Federal Register.

    Dated: May 21, 2018.
Alice A. Kipel,
Executive Director, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade.

HQ H294980

May 21, 2018

OT:RR:CTF:VS H294980 YAG

CATEGORY: Origin

Mr. Thomas A. Coulter 411 East Franklin Street, Suite 500 Richmond, VA 
23219

RE: U.S. Government Procurement; Country of Origin of Electric Scissor 
Lifts; Title III, Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. Sec.  2511 et 
seq.); Subpart B, Part 177, CBP Regulations

Dear Mr. Coulter:
    This is in response to your correspondence dated March 1, 2018, 
requesting a final determination, on behalf of your client, JLG 
Industries, Inc. (``JLG''), concerning the country of origin of certain 
electric scissor lifts, pursuant to subpart B of Part 177 of the U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection (``CBP'') Regulations (19 C.F.R. Sec.  
177.21 et seq.).
    We note that JLG is a party-at-interest within the meaning of 19 
C.F.R. Sec.  177.22(d)(1) and is entitled to request this final 
determination.

FACTS:

    JLG is an Oshkosh Corporation Company, headquartered in 
McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, and a global leader in the manufacture of 
electric powered and engine powered aerial work platforms. The electric 
scissor lifts under consideration are part of the JLG R Series family 
of Scissor Lift products. The R Series is partially assembled in 
Tianjin, China and then shipped to the United States for additional 
manufacturing and testing, and final assembly. Once completed, the 
product will be introduced in commerce and offered for sale, lease, or 
rental to the U.S. Government.
    CBP has previously issued an advisory country of origin ruling 
concerning JLG's electric scissor lifts and determined them to be of 
U.S.-origin. The R Series under review in this case are stated to be 
new models and 95 percent of the processing is the same, except there 
is a slight increase in the low-level, unskilled assembly in China and 
an increase in high-level skilled work on the brain of the product 
performed in the United States.
    The three R Series Scissor Lift models that JLG plans to 
manufacture are the 2632R, the 3246R, and the 4045R models. While the 
function of all three models is the same, the models differ in 
specifications, such as size and platform capacity. A Bill of Material 
was submitted for Model 4045R. You state that the Bills of Material for 
the other two R Series Scissor Lift models are substantially the same. 
As reflected in the detailed Bill of Material, there are 29 separate 
sub-assemblies/components, in varying quantities, of the R Series 
Scissor Lift. Approximately 40 percent of the parts are of U.S.-origin 
and 60

[[Page 24812]]

percent of Chinese origin. The remaining few components are sourced 
from South Korea, Italy, Ireland, and Germany (all designated countries 
for U.S. Government procurement purposes).
    JLG also submitted charts outlining the 25 separate operational 
sequences, man hours and skill level, for the operations performed in 
China and the United States in the manufacture of the R Series Scissor 
Lift. You state that the 15 operations performed in the United States 
are complex and meaningful, and require medium skill to accomplish, 
while the 10 operations performed in China are relatively simple 
hardware assembly and packaging. The following processes are performed 
in China: assembling the front and rear frame, assembling components 
(doors, etc.), assembling hydraulic tank and steering hose, building up 
and installing arm, building up routing and frame covers, installing 
rails and packaging the partially assembled unit into a cargo container 
for shipment to the United States. As imported, the Chinese good is 
stated to be a non-operable platform. You assert that the operations 
performed in the United States result in a ``self-propelled, saleable, 
scissor lift.'' Further, you claim a significant part of the final 
manufacturing and assembly process of JLG's electric scissor lift 
occurring in the United States consists of functional testing, quality 
verification, machine calibration, dimensional and structural 
inspection, and testing, requiring specialized employee training and 
skill.
    The electric scissor lifts have three control modules that act as 
the ``brain'' of the machine. It is stated that these modules are the 
most critical components in controlling the machine's functions. These 
modules are: (1) the platform module, (2) the power controller module, 
and (3) the logic module. With the exception of the shell of the logic 
module, which is manufactured in Mexico, all three control modules are 
manufactured in the United States. The other smart components that 
interface with the modules referenced above, are also manufactured, 
assembled, and installed in the United States. These components include 
batteries, a platform control box (allows the user to lift and lower 
the platform, and drive and steer the machine), and ground control 
panel (a secondary operator interface that allows the user to lift and 
lower the platform while not in the work platform). Finally, all 
software contained in the ``brain'' is developed and programmed 
entirely in the United States. The software and module development 
consumed over 8,000 hours of engineering time. The modules are 
installed and tested in the United States. Final machine calibration of 
the electric scissor lifts is also performed subsequent to importation.

ISSUE:

    What is the country of origin of the electric scissor lifts for 
purposes of U.S. Government procurement?

LAW AND ANALYSIS:

    CBP issues country of origin advisory rulings and final 
determinations as to whether an article is or would be a product of a 
designated country or instrumentality for the purposes of granting 
waivers of certain ``Buy American'' restrictions in U.S. law or 
practice for products offered for sale to the U.S. Government, pursuant 
to subpart B of Part 177, 19 C.F.R. Sec.  177.21 et seq., which 
implements Title III of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (``TAA''), as 
amended (19 U.S.C. Sec.  2511 et seq.).
    Under the rule of origin set forth under 19 U.S.C. Sec.  
2518(4)(B):

An article is a product of a country or instrumentality only if (i) it 
is wholly the growth, product, or manufacture of that country or 
instrumentality, or (ii) in the case of an article which consists in 
whole or in part of materials from another country or instrumentality, 
it has been substantially transformed into a new and different article 
of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the 
article or articles from which it was so transformed.
See also 19 C.F.R. Sec.  177.22(a).

    In rendering final determinations for purposes of U.S. Government 
procurement, CBP applies the provisions of subpart B of Part 177 
consistent with the Federal Procurement Regulations. See 19 C.F.R. 
Sec.  177.21. In this regard, CBP recognizes that the Federal 
Acquisition Regulations restrict the U.S. Government's purchase of 
products to U.S.-made or designated country end products for 
acquisitions subject to the Trade Agreements Act. See 48 C.F.R. Sec.  
25.403(c)(1). The Federal Acquisition Regulations define ``U.S.-made 
end product'' as ``an article that is mined, produced, or manufactured 
in the United States or that is substantially transformed in the United 
States into a new and different article of commerce with a name, 
character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from 
which it was transformed.'' See 48 C.F.R Sec.  25.003.
    In determining whether the combining of parts or materials 
constitutes a substantial transformation, the determinative issue is 
the extent of the operations performed and whether the parts lose their 
identity and become an integral part of the new article. Belcrest 
Linens v. United States, 6 C.I.T. 204, 573 F. Supp. 1149 (1983), aff'd, 
741 F.2d 1368 (Fed. Cir. 1984). If the manufacturing or combining 
process is a minor one that leaves the identity of the imported article 
intact, a substantial transformation has not occurred. Uniroyal, Inc. 
v. United States, 3 C.I.T. 220, 542 F. Supp. 1026 (1982).
    In Headquarters Ruling Letter (``HQ'') H022169, dated May 2, 2008, 
a glider (consisting of a frame, finished cab, axels, and wheels) was 
imported into the United States and assembled with approximately 87 
different component parts (including the essential parts: a motor, 
controller, and charger of Canadian origin; a gear box and axel of U.S. 
origin; and brakes of Indian origin) into an electric mini-truck. The 
process consisted of eight assembly work stations involving attachment 
and installation operations, as well as quality control and testing of 
the product. CBP held that the imported glider and other foreign 
components were substantially transformed into an electric mini-truck 
by the assembly operations that took place in the United States. Our 
decision was based on finding that the imported glider lost its 
individual identity and became an integral part of a new article 
possessing a new name, character, and use. Likewise, in HQ H155115, 
dated May 24, 2011, CBP found that assembly in the United States of an 
imported glider, and other imported and U.S.-origin parts constituted a 
substantial transformation into an article with a new name, character, 
and use. The assembly process in the United States was complex and 
time-consuming and involved a significant U.S. contribution in both 
parts and labor.
    Similarly, in HQ H118435, dated October 13, 2010, the assembly of a 
chassis, plastic body parts, and various miscellaneous pieces of 
plastic trim from China and U.S.-origin battery packs, motors, 
electronics, wiring assemblies, seats, and chargers into electric golf 
and recreational vehicles was considered a substantial transformation. 
CBP found that a substantial transformation occurred in the United 
States given the complexity and duration of the U.S. manufacturing 
process, along with the fact that between 12 and 17 of the 53 to 62 
components were U.S. components and critical in making the electric 
vehicle.
    Based on the information provided in your letter and consistent 
with CBP rulings cited above, we note that while many important 
components of the R Series Scissor Lift products are of

[[Page 24813]]

Chinese origin, and many significant processing operations occur in 
China, the Chinese operations require less skill and precision, and the 
product remains inoperable when imported into the United States. In 
contrast, the final assembly of the product, 15 out of 25 operational 
sequences of which are performed in the United States, requires a good 
deal more skill, precision and technical expertise. Many of the 
critical operations involved in completing the product, such as 
installing the work platforms' software, manufacturing the ``brain'' of 
the system and attaching the modules to the product, are also performed 
in the United States. More importantly, 40 percent of the remaining 
components of the electric scissor lifts are of U.S.-origin. This 
includes the three control modules, which act as the ``brain'' of the 
machine, without which the machine cannot function; batteries; the 
platform control box; and, the ground control panel. We also recognize 
that the software contained in the three modules is completely 
developed and programmed in the United States. In addition, significant 
operations to produce the product are performed in the United States, 
such as sophisticated testing, inspection, calibration and preparation 
of the product. Consequently, we find that the imported partially 
assembled R Series lifts are substantially transformed as a result of 
the assembly operations performed in the United States to produce the 
fully functional and operational electric scissor lifts. Based on the 
information presented, it is our opinion that the country of origin of 
the RS Scissor Lift is the United States.

HOLDING:

    Based on the facts provided, the finished electric scissor lifts 
will be considered a product of the United States for purposes of U.S. 
Government procurement.
    Notice of this final determination will be given in the Federal 
Register, as required by 19 C.F.R. Sec.  177.29. Any party-at-interest 
other than the party which requested this final determination may 
request, pursuant to 19 C.F.R. Sec.  177.31, that CBP reexamine the 
matter anew and issue a new final determination. Pursuant to 19 C.F.R. 
Sec.  177.30, any party-at-interest may, within 30 days of publication 
of the Federal Register Notice referenced above, seek judicial review 
of this final determination before the Court of International Trade.
Sincerely,
Alice A. Kipel, Executive Director Regulations and Rulings Office of 
Trade

[FR Doc. 2018-11504 Filed 5-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P



                                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 104 / Wednesday, May 30, 2018 / Notices                                                                          24811

                                                                                        TABLE 1—ANNUALIZED ESTIMATED BURDEN FOR 2019 NSDUH—Continued
                                                                                                                                                               Responses
                                                                                                                                             Number of                                  Total number      Hours per               Total burden
                                                                                   Instrument                                                                      per
                                                                                                                                            respondents                                 of responses      response                   hours
                                                                                                                                                               respondent

                                                     Total ..............................................................................        137,231     ........................        218,980   ........................         79,851



                                                  Written comments and                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                  This is in response to your
                                                recommendations concerning the                                            Yuliya A. Gulis, Valuation and Special                         correspondence dated March 1, 2018,
                                                proposed information collection should                                    Programs Branch, Regulations and                               requesting a final determination, on
                                                be sent by June 29, 2018 to the                                           Rulings, Office of Trade, at (202) 325–                        behalf of your client, JLG Industries, Inc.
                                                SAMHSA Desk Officer at the Office of                                      0042.                                                          (‘‘JLG’’), concerning the country of
                                                Information and Regulatory Affairs,                                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is                           origin of certain electric scissor lifts,
                                                OMB. To ensure timely receipt of                                          hereby given that on May 21, 2018                              pursuant to subpart B of Part 177 of the
                                                comments, and to avoid potential delays                                   pursuant to subpart B of Part 177, U.S.                        U.S. Customs and Border Protection
                                                in OMB’s receipt and processing of mail                                   Customs and Border Protection                                  (‘‘CBP’’) Regulations (19 C.F.R. § 177.21
                                                sent through the U.S. Postal Service,                                     Regulations (19 C.F.R. part 177, subpart                       et seq.).
                                                commenters are encouraged to submit                                       B), CBP issued a final determination                              We note that JLG is a party-at-interest
                                                their comments to OMB via email to:                                       concerning the country of origin of                            within the meaning of 19 C.F.R.
                                                OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov.                                              certain electric scissor lifts (R Series                       § 177.22(d)(1) and is entitled to request
                                                Although commenters are encouraged to                                     Scissor Lift models 2632R, 3246R, and                          this final determination.
                                                send their comments via email,                                            4045R), produced by JLG Industries,                            FACTS:
                                                commenters may also fax their                                             Inc., which may be offered to the U.S.
                                                comments to 202–395–7285.                                                                                                                  JLG is an Oshkosh Corporation
                                                                                                                          Government under an undesignated
                                                Commenters may also mail them to:                                                                                                        Company, headquartered in
                                                                                                                          government procurement contract. This
                                                OMB, Office of Information and                                                                                                           McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, and a
                                                                                                                          final determination, HQ H294980, was
                                                Regulatory Affairs, New Executive                                                                                                        global leader in the manufacture of
                                                                                                                          issued under procedures set forth at 19
                                                Office Building, Room 10102,                                                                                                             electric powered and engine powered
                                                                                                                          C.F.R. part 177, subpart B, which
                                                Washington, DC 20503.                                                                                                                    aerial work platforms. The electric
                                                                                                                          implements Title III of the Trade
                                                                                                                                                                                         scissor lifts under consideration are part
                                                Summer King,                                                              Agreements Act of 1979, as amended
                                                                                                                                                                                         of the JLG R Series family of Scissor Lift
                                                Statistician.                                                             (19 U.S.C. 2511–18). In the final
                                                                                                                                                                                         products. The R Series is partially
                                                                                                                          determination, CBP concluded that the
                                                [FR Doc. 2018–11536 Filed 5–29–18; 8:45 am]                                                                                              assembled in Tianjin, China and then
                                                                                                                          country of origin of the electric scissor
                                                BILLING CODE 4162–20–P                                                                                                                   shipped to the United States for
                                                                                                                          lifts is the United States for purposes of
                                                                                                                                                                                         additional manufacturing and testing,
                                                                                                                          U.S. Government procurement.
                                                                                                                                                                                         and final assembly. Once completed, the
                                                                                                                             Section 177.29, CBP Regulations (19
                                                                                                                                                                                         product will be introduced in commerce
                                                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                                    C.F.R. 177.29), provides that a notice of
                                                                                                                                                                                         and offered for sale, lease, or rental to
                                                SECURITY                                                                  final determination shall be published
                                                                                                                                                                                         the U.S. Government.
                                                                                                                          in the Federal Register within 60 days                           CBP has previously issued an
                                                U.S. Customs and Border Protection                                        of the date the final determination is                         advisory country of origin ruling
                                                                                                                          issued. Section 177.30, CBP Regulations                        concerning JLG’s electric scissor lifts
                                                Notice of Issuance of Final                                               (19 C.F.R. 177.30), provides that any
                                                Determination Concerning Certain                                                                                                         and determined them to be of U.S.-
                                                                                                                          party-at-interest, as defined in 19 C.F.R.                     origin. The R Series under review in this
                                                Electric Scissor Lifts                                                    177.22(d), may seek judicial review of a                       case are stated to be new models and 95
                                                AGENCY:  U.S. Customs and Border                                          final determination within 30 days of                          percent of the processing is the same,
                                                Protection, Department of Homeland                                        publication of such determination in the                       except there is a slight increase in the
                                                Security.                                                                 Federal Register.                                              low-level, unskilled assembly in China
                                                ACTION: Notice of final determination.                                      Dated: May 21, 2018.                                         and an increase in high-level skilled
                                                                                                                          Alice A. Kipel,                                                work on the brain of the product
                                                SUMMARY:    This document provides                                        Executive Director, Regulations and Rulings,                   performed in the United States.
                                                notice that U.S. Customs and Border                                       Office of Trade.                                                 The three R Series Scissor Lift models
                                                Protection (‘‘CBP’’) has issued a final                                                                                                  that JLG plans to manufacture are the
                                                determination concerning the country of                                   HQ H294980                                                     2632R, the 3246R, and the 4045R
                                                origin of certain electric scissor lifts.                                 May 21, 2018                                                   models. While the function of all three
                                                Based upon the facts presented, CBP has                                   OT:RR:CTF:VS H294980 YAG                                       models is the same, the models differ in
                                                concluded that the country of origin of                                                                                                  specifications, such as size and platform
                                                                                                                          CATEGORY: Origin
                                                the electric scissor lifts in question is                                                                                                capacity. A Bill of Material was
                                                the United States, for purposes of U.S.                                   Mr. Thomas A. Coulter
                                                                                                                                                                                         submitted for Model 4045R. You state
                                                Government procurement.                                                   411 East Franklin Street, Suite 500
                                                                                                                                                                                         that the Bills of Material for the other
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                          Richmond, VA 23219
                                                DATES: The final determination was                                                                                                       two R Series Scissor Lift models are
                                                issued on May 21, 2018. A copy of the                                     RE: U.S. Government Procurement;                               substantially the same. As reflected in
                                                final determination is attached. Any                                      Country of Origin of Electric Scissor                          the detailed Bill of Material, there are 29
                                                party-at-interest, as defined in 19 C.F.R.                                Lifts; Title III, Trade Agreements Act of                      separate sub-assemblies/components, in
                                                177.22(d), may seek judicial review of                                    1979 (19 U.S.C. § 2511 et seq.); Subpart                       varying quantities, of the R Series
                                                this final determination within June 29,                                  B, Part 177, CBP Regulations                                   Scissor Lift. Approximately 40 percent
                                                2018.                                                                     Dear Mr. Coulter:                                              of the parts are of U.S.-origin and 60


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014       17:04 May 29, 2018          Jkt 244001       PO 00000       Frm 00095    Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703    E:\FR\FM\30MYN1.SGM        30MYN1


                                                24812                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 104 / Wednesday, May 30, 2018 / Notices

                                                percent of Chinese origin. The                          8,000 hours of engineering time. The                  the parts lose their identity and become
                                                remaining few components are sourced                    modules are installed and tested in the               an integral part of the new article.
                                                from South Korea, Italy, Ireland, and                   United States. Final machine calibration              Belcrest Linens v. United States, 6 C.I.T.
                                                Germany (all designated countries for                   of the electric scissor lifts is also                 204, 573 F. Supp. 1149 (1983), aff’d, 741
                                                U.S. Government procurement                             performed subsequent to importation.                  F.2d 1368 (Fed. Cir. 1984). If the
                                                purposes).                                                                                                    manufacturing or combining process is
                                                   JLG also submitted charts outlining                  ISSUE:                                                a minor one that leaves the identity of
                                                the 25 separate operational sequences,                    What is the country of origin of the                the imported article intact, a substantial
                                                man hours and skill level, for the                      electric scissor lifts for purposes of U.S.           transformation has not occurred.
                                                operations performed in China and the                   Government procurement?                               Uniroyal, Inc. v. United States, 3 C.I.T.
                                                United States in the manufacture of the                                                                       220, 542 F. Supp. 1026 (1982).
                                                R Series Scissor Lift. You state that the               LAW AND ANALYSIS:                                        In Headquarters Ruling Letter (‘‘HQ’’)
                                                15 operations performed in the United                      CBP issues country of origin advisory              H022169, dated May 2, 2008, a glider
                                                States are complex and meaningful, and                  rulings and final determinations as to                (consisting of a frame, finished cab,
                                                require medium skill to accomplish,                     whether an article is or would be a                   axels, and wheels) was imported into
                                                while the 10 operations performed in                    product of a designated country or                    the United States and assembled with
                                                China are relatively simple hardware                    instrumentality for the purposes of                   approximately 87 different component
                                                assembly and packaging. The following                   granting waivers of certain ‘‘Buy                     parts (including the essential parts: a
                                                processes are performed in China:                       American’’ restrictions in U.S. law or                motor, controller, and charger of
                                                assembling the front and rear frame,                    practice for products offered for sale to             Canadian origin; a gear box and axel of
                                                assembling components (doors, etc.),                    the U.S. Government, pursuant to                      U.S. origin; and brakes of Indian origin)
                                                assembling hydraulic tank and steering                  subpart B of Part 177, 19 C.F.R. § 177.21             into an electric mini-truck. The process
                                                hose, building up and installing arm,                   et seq., which implements Title III of the            consisted of eight assembly work
                                                building up routing and frame covers,                   Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (‘‘TAA’’),               stations involving attachment and
                                                installing rails and packaging the                      as amended (19 U.S.C. § 2511 et seq.).                installation operations, as well as
                                                partially assembled unit into a cargo                      Under the rule of origin set forth                 quality control and testing of the
                                                container for shipment to the United                    under 19 U.S.C. § 2518(4)(B):                         product. CBP held that the imported
                                                States. As imported, the Chinese good is                An article is a product of a country or               glider and other foreign components
                                                stated to be a non-operable platform.                   instrumentality only if (i) it is wholly              were substantially transformed into an
                                                You assert that the operations                          the growth, product, or manufacture of                electric mini-truck by the assembly
                                                performed in the United States result in                that country or instrumentality, or (ii) in           operations that took place in the United
                                                a ‘‘self-propelled, saleable, scissor lift.’’           the case of an article which consists in              States. Our decision was based on
                                                Further, you claim a significant part of                whole or in part of materials from                    finding that the imported glider lost its
                                                the final manufacturing and assembly                    another country or instrumentality, it                individual identity and became an
                                                process of JLG’s electric scissor lift                  has been substantially transformed into               integral part of a new article possessing
                                                occurring in the United States consists                 a new and different article of commerce               a new name, character, and use.
                                                of functional testing, quality                          with a name, character, or use distinct               Likewise, in HQ H155115, dated May
                                                verification, machine calibration,                      from that of the article or articles from             24, 2011, CBP found that assembly in
                                                dimensional and structural inspection,                                                                        the United States of an imported glider,
                                                                                                        which it was so transformed.
                                                and testing, requiring specialized                                                                            and other imported and U.S.-origin
                                                                                                        See also 19 C.F.R. § 177.22(a).
                                                employee training and skill.                                                                                  parts constituted a substantial
                                                   The electric scissor lifts have three                   In rendering final determinations for              transformation into an article with a
                                                control modules that act as the ‘‘brain’’               purposes of U.S. Government                           new name, character, and use. The
                                                of the machine. It is stated that these                 procurement, CBP applies the                          assembly process in the United States
                                                modules are the most critical                           provisions of subpart B of Part 177                   was complex and time-consuming and
                                                components in controlling the                           consistent with the Federal Procurement               involved a significant U.S. contribution
                                                machine’s functions. These modules                      Regulations. See 19 C.F.R. § 177.21. In               in both parts and labor.
                                                are: (1) the platform module, (2) the                   this regard, CBP recognizes that the                     Similarly, in HQ H118435, dated
                                                power controller module, and (3) the                    Federal Acquisition Regulations restrict              October 13, 2010, the assembly of a
                                                logic module. With the exception of the                 the U.S. Government’s purchase of                     chassis, plastic body parts, and various
                                                shell of the logic module, which is                     products to U.S.-made or designated                   miscellaneous pieces of plastic trim
                                                manufactured in Mexico, all three                       country end products for acquisitions                 from China and U.S.-origin battery
                                                control modules are manufactured in                     subject to the Trade Agreements Act.                  packs, motors, electronics, wiring
                                                the United States. The other smart                      See 48 C.F.R. § 25.403(c)(1). The Federal             assemblies, seats, and chargers into
                                                components that interface with the                      Acquisition Regulations define ‘‘U.S.-                electric golf and recreational vehicles
                                                modules referenced above, are also                      made end product’’ as ‘‘an article that is            was considered a substantial
                                                manufactured, assembled, and installed                  mined, produced, or manufactured in                   transformation. CBP found that a
                                                in the United States. These components                  the United States or that is substantially            substantial transformation occurred in
                                                include batteries, a platform control box               transformed in the United States into a               the United States given the complexity
                                                (allows the user to lift and lower the                  new and different article of commerce                 and duration of the U.S. manufacturing
                                                platform, and drive and steer the                       with a name, character, or use distinct               process, along with the fact that
                                                                                                        from that of the article or articles from
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                                                machine), and ground control panel (a                                                                         between 12 and 17 of the 53 to 62
                                                secondary operator interface that allows                which it was transformed.’’ See 48 C.F.R              components were U.S. components and
                                                the user to lift and lower the platform                 § 25.003.                                             critical in making the electric vehicle.
                                                while not in the work platform). Finally,                  In determining whether the                            Based on the information provided in
                                                all software contained in the ‘‘brain’’ is              combining of parts or materials                       your letter and consistent with CBP
                                                developed and programmed entirely in                    constitutes a substantial transformation,             rulings cited above, we note that while
                                                the United States. The software and                     the determinative issue is the extent of              many important components of the R
                                                module development consumed over                        the operations performed and whether                  Series Scissor Lift products are of


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 104 / Wednesday, May 30, 2018 / Notices                                                     24813

                                                Chinese origin, and many significant                    Sincerely,                                            Arlington, VA 20598–6011; telephone
                                                processing operations occur in China,                   Alice A. Kipel, Executive Director                    (571) 227–2062; email TSAPRA@
                                                the Chinese operations require less skill               Regulations and Rulings                               tsa.dhs.gov.
                                                and precision, and the product remains                  Office of Trade                                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: TSA
                                                inoperable when imported into the                                                                             published a Federal Register notice,
                                                United States. In contrast, the final                   [FR Doc. 2018–11504 Filed 5–29–18; 8:45 am]           with a 60-day comment period soliciting
                                                assembly of the product, 15 out of 25                   BILLING CODE P                                        comments, of the following collection of
                                                operational sequences of which are                                                                            information on January 26, 2018, 83 FR
                                                performed in the United States, requires                                                                      4502.
                                                a good deal more skill, precision and                   DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
                                                                                                        SECURITY                                              Comments Invited
                                                technical expertise. Many of the critical
                                                operations involved in completing the                                                                            In accordance with the Paperwork
                                                                                                        Transportation Security Administration                Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
                                                product, such as installing the work
                                                                                                                                                              et seq.), an agency may not conduct or
                                                platforms’ software, manufacturing the                  Revision of Agency Information
                                                                                                                                                              sponsor, and a person is not required to
                                                ‘‘brain’’ of the system and attaching the               Collection Activity Under OMB Review:
                                                                                                                                                              respond to, a collection of information
                                                modules to the product, are also                        TSA End of Course Level 1
                                                                                                                                                              unless it displays a valid OMB control
                                                performed in the United States. More                    Evaluation—Instructor-Led Classroom
                                                                                                                                                              number. The ICR documentation will be
                                                importantly, 40 percent of the remaining                Training
                                                                                                                                                              available at http://www.reginfo.gov
                                                components of the electric scissor lifts                AGENCY:  Transportation Security                      upon its submission to OMB. Therefore,
                                                are of U.S.-origin. This includes the                   Administration, DHS.                                  in preparation for OMB review and
                                                three control modules, which act as the                 ACTION: 30-Day notice.                                approval of the following information
                                                ‘‘brain’’ of the machine, without which                                                                       collection, TSA is soliciting comments
                                                the machine cannot function; batteries;                 SUMMARY:    This notice announces that                to—
                                                the platform control box; and, the                      the Transportation Security                              (1) Evaluate whether the proposed
                                                ground control panel. We also recognize                 Administration (TSA) has forwarded the                information requirement is necessary for
                                                that the software contained in the three                Information Collection Request (ICR),                 the proper performance of the functions
                                                modules is completely developed and                     Office of Management and Budget                       of the agency, including whether the
                                                programmed in the United States. In                     (OMB) control number 1652–0041,                       information will have practical utility;
                                                                                                        abstracted below to OMB for review and                   (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the
                                                addition, significant operations to
                                                                                                        approval of a revision of the currently               agency’s estimate of the burden;
                                                produce the product are performed in
                                                                                                        approved collection under the                            (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and
                                                the United States, such as sophisticated                Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The                    clarity of the information to be
                                                testing, inspection, calibration and                    ICR describes the nature of the                       collected; and
                                                preparation of the product.                             information collection and its expected                  (4) Minimize the burden of the
                                                Consequently, we find that the imported                 burden. The collection involves the                   collection of information on those who
                                                partially assembled R Series lifts are                  submission of ratings and written                     are to respond, including using
                                                substantially transformed as a result of                comments about the quality of training                appropriate automated, electronic,
                                                the assembly operations performed in                    instruction from TSA students who                     mechanical, or other technological
                                                the United States to produce the fully                  successfully complete TSA instructor-                 collection techniques or other forms of
                                                functional and operational electric                     led classroom training. TSA students                  information technology.
                                                scissor lifts. Based on the information                 include TSA personnel, as well as State                  Consistent with the requirements of
                                                presented, it is our opinion that the                   and local civilian personnel, who attend              Executive Order (E.O.) 13771, Reducing
                                                country of origin of the RS Scissor Lift                the Explosives Detection Canine                       Regulation and Controlling Regulatory
                                                is the United States.                                   Handler Course, Passenger Screening                   Costs, and E.O. 13777, Enforcing the
                                                                                                        Canine Handler Course, Bridge Course,                 Regulatory Reform Agenda, TSA is also
                                                HOLDING:                                                Canine Technical Operations Course, or                requesting comments on the extent to
                                                                                                        the Office of Security Operations Canine              which this request for information could
                                                   Based on the facts provided, the                                                                           be modified to reduce the burden on
                                                finished electric scissor lifts will be                 (OSO) Management Course at the
                                                                                                        Canine Training Center (CTC).                         respondents.
                                                considered a product of the United
                                                States for purposes of U.S. Government                  DATES: Send your comments by June 29,                 Information Collection Requirement
                                                procurement.                                            2018. A comment to OMB is most                          Title: TSA End of Course Level 1
                                                                                                        effective if OMB receives it within 30                Evaluation—Instructor-Led Classroom
                                                   Notice of this final determination will              days of publication.
                                                be given in the Federal Register, as                                                                          Training.
                                                                                                        ADDRESSES: Interested persons are                       Type of Request: Revision of a
                                                required by 19 C.F.R. § 177.29. Any                     invited to submit written comments on                 currently approved collection.
                                                party-at-interest other than the party                  the proposed information collection to                  OMB Control Number: 1652–0041.
                                                which requested this final                              the Office of Information and Regulatory                Forms(s): TSA Form 1904A.
                                                determination may request, pursuant to                  Affairs, OMB. Comments should be                        Affected Public: Canine Handlers.
                                                19 C.F.R. § 177.31, that CBP reexamine                  addressed to Desk Officer, Department                   Abstract: TSA’s CTC delivers the
                                                the matter anew and issue a new final                   of Homeland Security/TSA, and sent via                Explosives Detection Canine Handler
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                                                determination. Pursuant to 19 C.F.R.                    electronic mail to dhsdeskofficer@                    Course, Passenger Screening Canine
                                                § 177.30, any party-at-interest may,                    omb.eop.gov.                                          Handler Course, Bridge Course, Canine
                                                within 30 days of publication of the                                                                          Technical Operations Course, and the
                                                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                Federal Register Notice referenced                                                                            OSO Management Course 1 to TSA
                                                                                                        Christina A. Walsh, TSA PRA Officer,
                                                above, seek judicial review of this final               Office of Information Technology (OIT),                  1 Because CTC is the sole DHS source for all TSA-
                                                determination before the Court of                       TSA–11, Transportation Security                       trained canines and handlers, the TSA has
                                                International Trade.                                    Administration, 601 South 12th Street,                                                           Continued




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Document Created: 2018-05-30 01:02:02
Document Modified: 2018-05-30 01:02:02
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of final determination.
DatesThe final determination was issued on May 21, 2018. A copy of the final determination is attached. Any party-at-interest, as defined in 19 C.F.R. 177.22(d), may seek judicial review of this final determination within June 29, 2018.
ContactYuliya A. Gulis, Valuation and Special Programs Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, at (202) 325-0042.
FR Citation83 FR 24811 

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