[Federal Register: March 31, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 61)] [Notices] [Page 15376-15377] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr31mr99-88] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 332-388] Simplification of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Release of proposed schedule for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EFFECTIVE DATE: March 25, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eugene A. Rosengarden, Director, Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements (O/TA&TA) (202-205-2592), or staff members listed below. The O/TA&TA fax number is 202-205-2616. Mr. Rosengarden may also be reached via Internet e-mail at rosengarden@usitc.gov. Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting our TDD terminal on 202-205-1810. Media representatives should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Public Affairs Officer (202-205-1819). This notice, and any subsequent notices published pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, may be obtained from the ITC Internet web server: http:// www.usitc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 5, 1997, the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-388, Simplification of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS); subsequently, on February 25, 1998, the Commission issued a revised schedule for the subject investigation. That revised schedule calls for the publication of draft HTS chapters for public comment on April 1, 1999, with the deadline for public comments being June 30, 1999. The request letter directed the Commission to work to alleviate compliance and administrative burdens; to utilize concession duty-rate levels scheduled to be effective on January 1, 2004; to suggest simplification of the nomenclature structure without proposing duty- rate changes having a significant effect on U.S. industry and trade; to suggest appropriate ways to reflect column 2 (statutory) duty rates; to convert specific, compound and complex rates of duty to their ad valorem equivalents, where possible, using data for the three most recent calendar years; and to propose appropriate simplification of statistical reporting categories. However, for this initial draft, trade data for 1997 only have been used for such conversions; slight adjustments in the proposed rates should be expected when the complete data are employed. Due to the length of the draft schedule and cross-reference table, they are being made available over the Internet only, and the electronic files in PDF format have been placed on the Commission's web site for inspection and/or downloading. A printed copy of the draft schedule has been placed in the Secretary's docket section, and a second copy is available in O/TA&TA. Questions may be directed to the following staff members: General comments: Eugene A. Rosengarden, Director (202-205-2595) Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements General legal notes: Janis L. Summers, Attorney-adviser (202-205-2605) Chapters 1-24: Ronald H. Heller, Nomenclature Analyst (202-205-2596) Chapters 25-26: Lawrence A. DiRicco, Nomenclature Analyst (202-205- 2606) Chapters 27-40: Frederick Schottman, Nomenclature Analyst (202-205- 2077) Chapters 41-49: Ronald H. Heller (202-205-2596) Chapters 50-63: Janis L. Summers (202-205-2605) Chapters 64-83: Lawrence A. DiRicco (202-205-2606) Chapters 84-85: Craig M. Houser, Nomenclature Analyst (202-205-2597) Chapters 86-89: Lawrence A. DiRicco (202-205-2606) Chapters 90-91: Craig M. Houser (202-205-2597) Chapters 92-97: Lawrence A. DiRicco (202-205-2606) Statistical reporting: Gil Whitson (202-205-2602) WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: Interested persons or entities are invited to submit written statements on the draft simplified HTS. Written statements should be submitted as quickly as possible, and follow-up statements are permitted; but all statements must be received at the Commission by the close of business on June 30, 1999, in order to be considered and made part of the record. The Commission notes that it is particularly interested in receiving input from the private sector regarding the proposed treatment of particular goods, as well as general comments about the changes suggested by the draft simplified HTS. Commercial or financial information which a submitter desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each marked ``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of Sec. 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for inspection by interested persons. All submissions should be addressed to the Office of the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing of submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means. Issued: March 26, 1999. [[Page 15377]] By order of the Commission. Donna R. Koehnke, Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-7878 Filed 3-30-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020-02-P