Start Preamble

AGENCY:

Department of State.

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State proposes to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to remove reference to the International Import Certificate. This amendment will effectively cease the Department's current practice of accepting DSP-53 submissions, as there is no statutory, regulatory, or other authoritative basis for the Department to do so.

DATES:

The Department of State will accept comments on this proposed rule until August 29, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties may submit comments within 45 days of the date of the publication by any of the following methods:

• E-mail: DDTCResponseTeam@state.gov with the subject line, “International Import Certificate, ITAR Section 123.4.”
• Internet: View this notice by searching for its RIN number on the U.S. Government regulations Web site at http://www.regulations.gov.

Start Further Info

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Samuel C. Harmon, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, Department of State, by telephone: (202) 663-2728; fax: (202) 261-8199; or e-mail: harmonsc@state.gov. ATTN: International Import Certificate, ITAR Section 123.4.

End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Arms Export Control Act authorizes the President to control the import and export of defense articles. Executive Order 11958, as amended, delegated the authority to regulate permanent exports and temporary imports and exports of defense articles to the Department of State, and delegated the authority to regulate permanent imports to the Attorney General. The International Import Certificate (IIC), Form BIS-645P/ATF-4522/DPS-53, is identified as a form issued by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry & Security; the Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). It is meant to Start Printed Page 41439standardize procedures used to facilitate international trade. However, while DDTC typically receives approximately 600 IIC submissions a year, there is no statutory, regulatory, or other authoritative basis for the Department of State to receive submission or pursue enforcement of the IIC. The Department of State's DSP-61 Application/License for Temporary Import of Unclassified Defense Articles and DSP-85 Application/License for Permanent/Temporary Export or Temporary Import of Classified Defense Articles and Related Classified Technical Data account for its authority to control temporary imports of defense articles. The Department of State's retention of the IIC is duplicative and unnecessary. Therefore, DDTC proposes to revise § 123.4 to reflect its decision to no longer to accept submissions of the International Import Certificate (DSP-53). DDTC will also make conforming changes to § 120.28 to remove reference to the DSP-53. For temporary import exemptions in which the foreign exporter requires documentation, the U.S. importer will be required to obtain a DSP-61 or a DSP-85. The Bureau of Industry & Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will continue to adjudicate International Import Certificate submissions for items under their jurisdiction.

Regulatory Analysis and Notices

Administrative Procedure Act

The Department of State is of the opinion that controlling the import and export of defense articles and services is a foreign affairs function of the United States Government and that rules implementing this function are exempt from § 553 (Rulemaking) and § 554 (Adjudications) of the Administrative Procedure Act. Although the Department is of the opinion that this proposed rule is exempt from the rulemaking provisions of the APA, the Department is publishing this proposed rule with a 45-day provision for public comment and without prejudice to its determination that controlling the import and export of defense services is a foreign affairs function.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Since this proposed amendment is not subject to the notice-and-comment procedures of 5 U.S.C. 553, it does not require analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

This proposed amendment does not involve a mandate that will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Executive Order 13175

The Department has determined that this proposed rule will not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not pre-empt tribal law. Accordingly, the requirements of Section 5 of Executive Order 13175 do not apply to this rule.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

This proposed amendment has been found not to be a major rule within the meaning of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132

This proposed amendment will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this proposed amendment does not have sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this proposed amendment.

Executive Order 12866

The Department of State does not consider this proposed rule to be a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866, section 3(f), Regulatory Planning and Review. The Department is of the opinion that controlling the import and export of defense articles and services is a foreign affairs function of the United States Government and that rules governing the conduct of this function are exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 13563

The Department of State has considered this proposed rule in light of Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13563, dated January 18, 2011, and affirms that this regulation is consistent with the guidance therein.

Executive Order 12988

The Department of State has reviewed this proposed amendment in light of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This proposed rule does not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35.

Start List of Subjects

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Parts 120 and 123

• Arms and munitions
• Exports

End List of Subjects

Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, Title 22, chapter I, subchapter M, parts 120 and 123 are proposed to be amended as follows:

Start Part

PART 120—PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS

1. The authority citation for part 120 continues to read as follows:

Start Authority

Authority: Secs. 2, 38, and 71, Public Law 90-629, 90 Stat. 744 (22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2797); 22 U.S.C. 2794; E.O. 11958, 42 FR 4311; E.O. 13284, 68 FR 4075; 3 CFR, 1977 Comp. p. 79; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; Public Law 105-261, 112 Stat. 1920.

End Authority

2. Section 120.28 is amended by redesignating paragraph (b)(3) as paragraph (c) and by revising paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows:

End Part Start Part

PART 123—LICENSES FOR THE EXPORT OF DEFENSE ARTICLES

3. The authority citation for part 123 continues to read as follows:

Start Authority

Authority: Secs. 2, 38, and 71, Public Law 90-629, 90 Stat. 744 (22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2797); 22 U.S.C. 2753; E.O. 11958, 42 FR 4311; 3 CFR, 1977 Comp. p. 79; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 2776; Pub. L. 105-261, 112 Stat. 1920; Sec 1205(a), Public Law 107-228.

End Authority

4. Section 123.4 is amended by adding paragraph (c)(4) to read as follows:

Start SignatureEnd Signature End Part End Supplemental Information