[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 34 (Monday, February 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 8550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4250]



[[Page 8550]]

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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


New Export Visa Stamp for Certain Wool Textile Products Produced 
or Manufactured in Russia

February 16, 1999.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Issuing a directive to the Commissioner of Customs providing 
for the use of a new export visa stamp.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: March 1, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naomi Freeman, International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, (202) 482-4212.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 1854); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as 
amended.

    Beginning on March 1, 1999, the Government of the Russian 
Federation will start issuing a new export visa stamp for shipments of 
wool textile products in Category 435, produced or manufactured in 
Russia and exported from Russia on or after March 1, 1999. The new visa 
stamp reflects a name change from ``MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN ECONOMIC 
RELATIONS'' to ``MINISTRY OF TRADE'' but is otherwise unchanged. There 
will be a one-month grace period from March 1, 1999 through March 31, 
1999, during which products exported from Russia may be accompanied by 
either the old or new export visa stamp. Products exported from Russia 
on or after April 1, 1999 must be accompanied by the new export visa 
stamp.
    A facsimile of the new visa stamp is on file at the U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., room 3104, Washington, 
DC.
    See 62 FR 4729, published on January 31, 1997.
Troy H. Cribb,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
February 16, 1999.

Commissioner of Customs,
Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20229.

    Dear Commissioner: This directive amends, but does not cancel, 
the directive issued to you on January 28, 1997, as amended, by the 
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. 
That directive directed you to prohibit entry of certain wool 
textile products in Category 435, produced or manufactured in Russia 
for which the Government of the Russian Federation has not issued an 
appropriate export visa.
    Beginning on March 1, 1999, you are directed to amend further 
the directive dated January 28, 1997 to provide for the use of a new 
export visa stamp issued by the Government of the Russian Federation 
to accompany shipments of wool textile products in Category 435, 
produced or manufactured in Russia and exported from Russia on or 
after March 1, 1999. The new visa stamp reflects a name change from 
``MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS'' to ``MINISTRY OF TRADE'' 
but is otherwise unchanged.
    Textile products exported from Russia during the period March 1, 
1999 through March 31, 1999 may be accompanied by either the old or 
new export visa stamp. Products exported from Russia on or after 
April 1, 1999 must be accompanied by the new export visa stamp.
    A facsimile of the new visa stamp is enclosed with this letter.
    Shipments entered or withdrawn from warehouse according to this 
directive which are not accompanied by an appropriate export visa 
shall be denied entry and a new visa must be obtained.
    The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has 
determined that this action falls within the foreign affairs 
exception to the rulemaking provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1).
    Sincerely,
Troy H. Cribb,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 99-4250 Filed 2-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-F