Extension of National Customs Automation Program Test Regarding Presentation of Electronic Cargo Declarations

Background

On September 10, 1996, Customs published a document in the Federal Register (61 FR 47782) announcing a plan to conduct a test program to allow the electronic submission of certain inward vessel manifest information. The notice described the test, informed interested members of the public of the eligibility requirements for participation in the test and requested comments concerning any aspect of the test. The announcement stated that the test would commence no sooner than December 9, 1996, and would last for approximately one year; the actual commencement date of the test was February 11, 1997. In today's document Customs is announcing that the test will be extended and that there is an additional opportunity for members of the vessel carrier community to request participation in the test. The test will be extended for at least another year.

Test Modification Regarding Manifesting of Empty Containers

The parameters of the original test are spelled out in the September 10, 1996, Federal Register notice. The extension of the test will operate under the same parameters with one modification. The manifesting of empty containers will be treated differently than the original test notice states. Pursuant to the modified procedures, empty containers shall be manifested either by transmitting in the Automated Manifest System (AMS) a list of the empty containers on board the vessel by port of discharge, or by providing the same list on a CF 1302 Cargo Declaration. The manifesting of empty containers is subject to all other current regulatory requirements.

Foreign Freight Remaining on Board

Because many comments have been received concerning one of the test requirements set forth in the September 10 notice, Customs is reiterating in this document that requirement which reads as follows:

In the case of Foreign Freight Remaining On Board (FROB) a vessel entering the United States and not intended for discharge in this country, test participants are required to transmit all bill of lading cargo data pertaining to such shipments at the first U.S. port of arrival. Such bills of lading shall be automatically released in AMS upon transmission of the data unless placed on hold with the test participant by Customs through electronic or other means. FROB bill of lading cargo data is subject to all of the same requirements and standards set forth in this document (the September 10, 1996 notice) which apply to other bill of lading cargo data.

Comments have been received regarding this requirement requesting that FROB cargo on a vessel entering the United States from Canada not have to be transmitted electronically and not be subject to the same data element requirements as required for discharge cargo. Further, the commenters have requested that the data regarding FROB cargo not have to be transmitted in English. These changes are requested because the commenters contend that the voyage from Canada is too short to provide sufficient time for the data to be ready for submission at the first U.S. port of arrival and because foreign subsidiaries do not provide the required data.

Customs is maintaining the requirements for FROB cargo as set forth in the September 10, 1996, notice. Customs cannot accommodate the requested changes because Customs considers all cargo on board a vessel as potentially being used to facilitate the smuggling of narcotics and other contraband into the United States. Expressly stated, full bill of lading data is required for FROB cargo originating in Canada or from any other country and the data must be transmitted in English by the time of arrival.

Application Process

Parties desiring to participate in this test program must submit a written statement to the United States Customs Service, Cargo Release Processing, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.2b, Washington, DC 20229-0002, on or before 30 days from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. The document, signed by an authorized official of the carrier, must state that the carrier wishes to voluntarily participate in the test and that the carrier meets all qualifications as outlined in the September 10, 1996, Federal Register notice as modified by today's document. The statement must acknowledge that all submissions made to Customs as part of the test are required to be accomplished electronically. The document must also designate a national point of contact and telephone number, and shall also identify local contacts and telephone numbers for the use of Customs personnel at individual ports.

Basis for Participant Selection

Eligible importing carriers will be considered for participation in the test. Customs is looking for a variety of circumstances and participants in the test. Customs stresses that those not selected for participation are invited to comment on the test and to participate in its evaluation. Selection will be based on the depth of an applicant's electronic interface capabilities and the ability to meet all the user requirements in the CAMIR and in this notice. Participants selected will be notified by means of the Customs Electronic Bulletin Board.

Dated: December 11, 1997. Robert S. Trotter, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations. [FR Doc. 97-33172 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4820-02-P