Extension of Import Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological Material From Honduras

AGENCIES:

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

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This document amends Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect the extension of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material from the Pre-Columbian cultures of the Republic of Honduras (Honduras) that were imposed by CBP Decision (Dec.) 04-08 and expire on March 12, 2009. The Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, has determined that conditions continue to warrant the imposition of import restrictions. Accordingly, these import restrictions will remain in effect for an additional 5 years, and the CBP regulations are being amended to reflect this extension until March 12, 2013. These restrictions are being extended pursuant to determinations of the United States Department of State made under the terms of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act in accordance with the 1970 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. CBP Dec. 04-08 contains the Designated List of archaeological material that describes the articles to which the restrictions apply.

DATES:

Effective Date: March 11, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For legal aspects, George Frederick McCray, Esq., Chief, Intellectual Property Rights and Restricted Merchandise Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, (202) 325-0082. For operational aspects, Michael Craig, Chief, Interagency Requirements Branch, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of International Trade, (202) 863-6558.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Pursuant to the provisions of the 1970 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention, codified into U.S. law as the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (Pub. L. 97-446, 19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), the United States entered into a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Honduras (Honduras) on March 12, 2004, concerning the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material from Honduras. The archaeological materials subject to the bilateral agreement represent the Pre-Columbian cultures of Honduras and range in date from approximately 1200 B.C. to 1500 A.D. On March 16, 2004, CBP published CBP Decision (Dec.) 04-08 in the Federal Register (69 FR 12267), which amended 19 CFR 12.104g(a) to reflect the imposition of these restrictions and included a list designating the types of archaeological material covered by the restrictions.

Import restrictions listed in 19 CFR 12.104g(a) are “effective for no more than five years beginning on the date on which the agreement enters into force with respect to the United States. This period can be extended for additional periods not to exceed five years if it is determined that the factors which justified the initial agreement still pertain and no cause for suspension of the agreement exists” (19 CFR 12.104g(a)).

After reviewing the findings and recommendations of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, concluding that the cultural heritage of Honduras continues to be in jeopardy from pillage of certain archaeological materials, made the necessary determinations to extend the import restrictions for an additional five years on December 4, 2008. Accordingly, CBP is amending 19 CFR 12.104g(a) to reflect the extension of the import restrictions. The Designated List of Pre-Columbian Archaeological Material from Honduras covered by these import restrictions is set forth in CBP Dec. 04-08. The Designated List and accompanying image database may also be accessed from the following Internet Web site address: http://exchanges.state.gov/heritage/culprop.html . The restrictions on the importation of these archaeological materials from Honduras are to continue in effect for an additional five years. Importation of such material continues to be restricted unless the conditions set forth in 19 U.S.C. 2606 and 19 CFR 12.104c are met.

Inapplicability of Notice and Delayed Effective Date

This amendment involves a foreign affairs function of the United States and is, therefore, being made without notice or public procedure (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1)). For the same reason, a delayed effective date is not required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

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

Executive Order 12866

Because this rule involves a foreign affairs function of the United States, it is not subject to Executive Order 12866.

Signing Authority

This regulation is being issued in accordance with 19 CFR 0.1(a)(1).

List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 12

• Cultural property
• Customs duties and inspection
• Imports
• Prohibited merchandise

Amendment to CBP Regulations

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

PART 12—SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE

1. The general authority citation for part 12 and the specific authority citation for § 12.104g continue to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 3(i), Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)), 1624;

Sections 12.104 through 12.104i also issued under 19 U.S.C. 2612;

2. In § 12.104g, paragraph (a), the table is amended in the entry for Honduras by removing the reference to “CBP Dec. 04-08” in the column headed “Dec. No.” and adding in its place the language “CBP Dec. 04-08 extended by CBP Dec. 09-05”.