CSMS Message: 00-000463

TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.

FROM : CARLA ZZ-DONOFRIO

SUBJECT : IRANIAN SANCTION AMENDMENTS

DATE : 05/03/2000

(PUBLIC VERSION)

TO : ALL PORT DIRECTORS
ASSISTANT PORT DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS, FIELD OPERATIONS

FROM : DIRECTOR, TRADE PROGRAMS

SUBJECT : EASING OF TRADE SANCTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES
WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN IMPORTS OF IRANIAN ORIGIN

BACKGROUND:

IN OCTOBER 1987, THE UNITED STATES IMPOSED A TRADE EMBARGO ON
IMPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES FROM IRAN UNDER THE TRADING WITH
THE ENEMY ACT AND IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS IN TITLE 31 OF THE
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 560. THIS TRADE EMBARGO
VIRTUALLY ELIMINATED ALL TRADE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
IRAN.

THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL HAS INFORMED THE U.S.
CUSTOMS SERVICE THAT EFFECTIVE APRIL 28, 2000, THE REGULATIONS
ARE AMENDED TO AUTHORIZE THE IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN
IRANIAN-ORIGIN FOODSTUFFS INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION,
CARPETS AND OTHER TEXTILE FLOOR COVERINGS.

SECTION 560.534(A) IS ADDED TO SUBPART E TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

31 CFR 560.534 IMPORTATION INTO THE UNITED STATES OF CERTAIN
FOODSTUFFS AND CARPETS IS AUTHORIZED.

(A) THE IMPORTATION INTO THE UNITED STATES, FROM IRAN OR
A THIRD COUNTRY, OF THE FOLLOWING GOODS OF IRANIAN-ORIGIN
IS AUTHORIZED:

(1) FOODSTUFFS INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION THAT
ARE CLASSIFIED UNDER CHAPTERS 2-23 OF THE
HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE OF THE UNITED STATES
ANNOTATED.

(2) CARPETS AND OTHER TEXTILE FLOOR COVERINGS AND
CARPETS USED AS WALL HANGINGS THAT ARE CLASSIFIED
EITHER UNDER CHAPTER 57 OR UNDER HEADING
9706.00.0060 OF THE HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE OF
THE UNITED STATES.

ACTION:
1
ON OR AFTER FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2000, PORTS WILL PERMIT ENTRY OF
MERCHANDISE MEETING THE ABOVE CRITERIA, PROVIDED IT COMPLIES
WITH ALL OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THIS APPLIES TO COMMERCIAL
AND PERSONAL SHIPMENTS. IN ADDITION, EFFECTIVE APRIL 28, 2000,
THE TRADE WILL BE ABLE TO TRANSMIT ENTRY
SUMMARY DATA THROUGH
ABI FOR MERCHANDISE OF IRANIAN-ORIGIN.

NOTES:

(A) ALL SHIPMENTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE CUSTOMS
DUTIES AND OTHER CHARGES.
(B) ITEMS CLASSIFIED UNDER HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE
(HTS) CHAPTERS 2-23 ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE IMPORTED
UNLESS THEY ARE FOODSTUFFS INTENDED FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION.
(C) HOUSEHOLD EFFECT CLAIMS FOR CARPETS WILL NOW BE
CONSIDERED UNDER 19 CFR 148.52 AS TO WHETHER THE GOODS
ARE ENTITLED TO DUTY-FREE ENTRY.
(D) ITEMS CLASSIFIED UNDER HTS HEADING 9706.00.0060 ARE
NOT AUTHORIZED UNLESS THEY ARE CARPETS, OTHER TEXTILE
FLOOR COVERINGS, OR CARPETS USED AS WALL HANGINGS.
(E) ALL OTHER SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN REFLECTED IN 31 CFR
PART 560 AND THE INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY ECONOMIC POWERS
ACT (IEEPA) REMAIN IN EFFECT, AND NORMAL DETENTION OR
SEIZURE PROCEDURES WILL CONTINUE TO BE FOLLOWED FOR
MERCHANDISE OUTSIDE THE PARAMETERS PROVIDED IN THIS
MESSAGE.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE AFOREMENTIONED SECTION DOES NOT
CANCEL ANY OPEN ENFORCEMENT ACTION INITIATED BY THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE REGULATION OR ANY
SEIZURE, FORFEITURE, PENALTY, OR LIQUIDATED DAMAGES CASE THAT IS
CONSIDERED CLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUSTOMS OR ANOTHER AGENCY S
REGULATIONS.

INFORMATION:

QUESTIONS RELATED TO SEIZURES AND PENALTIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED
TO DENNIS MCKENZIE, FP&F BRANCH CHIEF, OFFICE OF SEIZURES AND
PENALTIES DIVISION AT (202) 927-0843. ALL OTHER QUESTIONS
SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO CARLA D ONOFRIO, OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
BRANCH, TRADE PROGRAMS AT (202) 927-0801.

PUBLIC INQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE OFAC WEBSITE AT
HTTP:

WWW.TREAS.GOV
OFAC.

-S-

1ELIZABETH G. DURANT