Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 1996

Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 1996 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require that, in the case of a claim for the reliquidation (refund) of excess duties paid on certain entries of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) products, interest on such a claim accrue from the date of the claim. (Sec. 3) Amends Federal customs law to repeal the requirement that certain small vessels departing from a foreign port, or which visited a hovering vessel, carry a certificate for the importation into the United States of alcoholic spirits. Requires all persons who are indebted to the Government under the customs laws to pay all costs associated with the collection of such debt. (Sec. 4) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to require certain customs fees charged against merchandise imported from a foreign trade zone to be applied only to the value of the privileged or nonprivileged part of such merchandise. Declares that the similar application of such customs fees to imported U.S. agricultural products processed and packed in a foreign trade zone shall be effective to entries made on or after certain dates. (Sec. 7) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the United States Customs Service to extend for up to 18 months the time for filing a drawback (refund) claim for duties if a major disaster on or after January 1, 1994, prevented timely filing of such claim. (Sec. 8) Directs the Customs Service to provide for the liquidation or reliquidation (refund) of certain entries (televisions) made at New York, New York, in accordance with the results of an administrative review, during the period from May 1, 1984, through March 31, 1985, by the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce (case number A-580-008). (Sec. 9) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment, through February 1, 1999, of the personal effects of, and other equipment imported and used by, participants, their families and associated members, and officials involved in the 1998 Goodwill Games. (Sec. 12) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to state that importers of civil aircraft that have been entered duty-free: (1) shall maintain such supporting documentation as the Secretary of the Treasury may require; and (2) shall be deemed to certify that such an imported article is a civil aircraft, or has been imported for use in civil aircraft and will so be used. (Currently, importers must file a statement, along with the supporting documentation, with the appropriate customs officer declaring that such article is and will be used as a civil aircraft, or that it has been imported for use in civil aircraft, and that it has been approved for such use by the Federal Aviation Administration.) (Sec. 14) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that certain marking requirements with respect to imported articles and containers shall not apply to: (1) certain coffee and tea products; and (2) spice products. (Sec. 15) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment to certain imported silver, gold, and platinum bars. Provides for staged rate reductions for specified items. (Sec. 16) Grants duty-free treatment to certain semimanufactured forms of gold. (Sec. 17) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to repeal the mandate for the East-West Trade Statistics Monitoring System. (Sec. 18) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise requirements for the retroactive electronic filing (reconciliation) of entries with the Customs Service. (Sec. 19) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to impose a specified duty on the foreign value content of certain motor vehicles manufactured in a foreign trade zone, exported to and subsequently imported from a NAFTA country. (Sec. 20) Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Uruguay Round Agreements Act and the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. (Sec. 23) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to liquidate or reliquidate as duty-free a certain entry of warp knitting machines. Requires a refund of duties and interest paid with respect to such entry. (Sec. 24) Suspends, through December 31, 1998, the duty on methyl 2-(4- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy) propionate (diclofop-methyl) in bulk form or in forms or packages for retail sale containing no other pesticide products. (Sec. 25) Grants duty-free treatment to: (1) 2-amino-3-chlorobenzoic acid, methyl ester; and (2) 3,3-diaminobenzidine (tetraamino biphenyl). (Sec. 27) Amends the Customs and Trade Act of 1990 to declare that the duty on foreign repairs made to U.S.-flag vessels shall not apply to the cost of equipment or spare parts for repairs made to certain U.S.-flag LASH (Lighter Aboard Ship) barges that entered the United States between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1994, provided certain conditions are met. (Sec. 28) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to impose duties upon certain fireworks. Increases the column one duty rate regarding specified other types of fireworks. (Sec. 29) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide for a personal allowance exemption, upon their return to U.S. customs territory, from duties on merchandise purchased by U.S. residents in a duty-free sales enterprise, provided the person meets certain exemption eligibility requirements. (Sec. 30) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2006, the duty on U.S. made motorcycles previously exported and brought temporarily into the United States by nonresidents who participate in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Races. (Sec. 31) Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to permit deferral of duty payment on merchandise admitted into a foreign trade zone for use as production equipment until such equipment is completely assembled, installed, tested, and used in the production for which it was admitted. (Sec. 32) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to reduce, through December 31, 1998, the duty on n-phenyl-n'- (1,2,3-thiadiazol-5'yl urea (thidiazuron) in bulk or in forms or packages for retail sale. (Sec. 33) Grants, through December 31, 1999, duty-free treatment to: (1) 2,3,3-trimethyl-indolenine; and (2) bis (4-amino-3- methylcyclohexyl)-methane. (Sec. 35) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the President from designating a country a beneficiary developing country under the generalized system of preferences if the Secretary of State determines under the Export Administration Act of 1979 that such country has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. (Sec. 36) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through March 31, 1997, the duty on certain chemicals used in the formulation of an HIV protease inhibitor. (Sec. 37) Requires buffalo leather from Thailand that is entered into the United States under certain entry numbers to be liquidated or reliquidated as if entered on June 30, 1995. (Sec. 38) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to proscribe any fee assessment for certain customs services provided in connection with the arrival of any passenger on board a commercial vessel traveling only between ports within U.S. customs territory (unless the vessel's journey originates and terminates at the same place in the United States without intervening stops). (Sec. 41) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to liquidate or reliquidate as duty-free certain entries of lead fuel test assembles. Requires a refund of duties paid with respect to such entries. (Sec. 42) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2000, the duty on certain injection molding machines. (Sec. 43) Directs the Customs Service to provide for the liquidation or reliquidation (refund) of certain entries of color televisions made at various ports, in accordance with the final results of an administrative review, during the period from April 1, 1984, through March 31, 1991, by the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce (case number A-580-008). (Sec. 44) Grants duty-free treatment to professional books, implements, instruments, and tools of trade, occupation, or employment in repair and maintenance services, when returned to the United States after having been exported for use temporarily abroad, if imported by or for the account of the person who exported such items. (Sec. 45) Grants, through December 31, 2000, duty-free treatment to yttrium oxide and cerium aluminum terbium of a kind used as luminophores. (Sec. 46) Provides for the liquidation or reliquidation at a lower duty rate of certain entries of pharmaceutical grade phospholipids. (Sec. 47) Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to admit duty-free, after March 31, 1997, certain structures, parts, and components used in the Gemini Telescopes Project, in Mauna Kea, Hawaii. (Sec. 48) Amends the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 to extend indefinitely the existing duty-free treatment of articles provided by the Max Planck Institute for Radioastronomy, Germany, to Steward Observatory, Arizona. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to admit duty-free large binocular telescope components, parts, and equipment provided by the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory and the Max Planck Institute for use by the Steward Observatory of the University of Arizona. (Sec. 49) Directs the Customs Service to liquidate or reliquidate (refund) certain entries of frozen concentrated orange juice. (Sec. 50) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to set the duty rate, including specified staged rate reductions, for certain twine, cordage, ropes, and cable. (Sec. 51) Suspends, through December 31, 2000, the duty on certain fatty acid esters. (Sec. 52) Grants duty-free treatment to a Mobile Bison Slaughter Unit for use by the Pte Hca Ka. (Sec. 53) Exempts from tariff treatment under the Schedule certain aircraft parts and equipment. (Sec. 54) Directs the Customs Service to provide for the liquidation or reliquidation (refund) of certain entries of live swine, in accordance with the final results of the administrative review, during the period from April 1, 1988, through March 31, 1989, by the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce. (Sec. 55) Provides, based on the decision issued by the United States Court of International Trade in Pfaff American Sales Corp. v. United States, for the liquidation or reliquidation (refund) of certain entries of sewing machines. (Sec. 56) Suspends, through December 31, 1998, the duty on: (1) certain textured rolled glass sheets; and (2) n,n-diethyl-m-toluidine (DEMT). (Sec. 58) Directs the International Trade Commission to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the impact of NAFTA and the Uruguay Round Agreements on U.S. imports and exports of live cattle for slaughter and fresh, chilled, and frozen beef; and (2) the steps taken by the United States, since the enactment of NAFTA, to prevent the transshipment of such items through Mexico and Canada for importation into the United States. (Sec. 59) Authorizes the President to waive certain quota requirements for those products that exceed them for 1994, as in effect on June 30, 1995, and which lost eligibility for duty-free treatment under the generalized system of preferences as of July 1, 1995.

Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require that interest on claims be accrued from the date of the claim for the reliquidation (refund) of excess duties paid on certain entries of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) products. (Sec. 2) Amends Federal customs law to repeal the requirement that certain small vessels departing from a foreign port, or which visited a hovering vessel, carry a certificate for the importation into the United States of alcoholic spirits. Includes all expenses associated with recovering indebtedness owed to the Government under the customs laws among the amounts the Secretary shall contract with private collection agencies to recover. (Sec. 3) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to require certain customs fees charged against merchandise imported from a foreign trade zone to be applied only to the value of the privileged or nonprivileged part of such merchandise. Declares that the similar application of such customs fees to imported U.S. agricultural products processed and packed in a foreign trade zone shall be effective to entries made on or after certain dates. (Sec. 6) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the United States Customs Service to extend the time for filing a drawback (refund) claim for duties for up to 18 months if a major disaster on or after January 1, 1994, prevented timely filing of such claim. (Sec. 7) Directs the Customs Service to provide for the liquidation or reliquidation (refund) of certain entries made at New York, New York, in accordance with the results of an administrative review, during the period from May 1, 1984, through March 31, 1985, by the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce (case number A-580-008). (Sec. 8) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment, through February 1, 1999, of the personal effects of, and other equipment imported and used by, participants, their families and associated members, and officials involved in the 1998 Goodwill Games. (Sec. 11) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to proscribe any fee assessment for certain customs services provided in connection with the arrival of any passenger on board a commercial vessel traveling only between ports within the customs territory of the United States. Provides that specified fee exemptions do not apply in the case of the arrival of any passenger on board a commercial vessel whose journey originates and terminates at the same place in the U.S. if there are no intervening stops. Mandates a one-time only assessment of certain customs fees for each passenger in the case of a commercial vessel making a single voyage involving two or more United States ports with respect to which the passengers would otherwise be charged a fee. (Sec. 13) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that certain marking requirements with respect to imported articles and containers shall not apply to: (1) certain metal forgings and hand tools made from such forgings; (2) certain coffee and tea products; and (3) spice products. (Sec. 14) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to liquidate or reliquidate as duty-free a certain entry of warp knitting machines. Requires a refund of duties and interest paid with respect to such entry. (Sec. 17) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide for a personal allowance exemption from duties on merchandise purchased by U.S. residents in a duty-free sales enterprise upon their return to the customs territory of the United States, provided the person meets certain exemption eligibility requirements. (Sec. 18) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment to certain imported silver and gold bars. Provides for staged rate reductions for specified items. (Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to liquidate or reliquidate as duty-free certain entries of lead fuel test assemblies. Requires a refund of duties paid with respect to such entries. (Sec. 20) Amends the Customs and Trade Act of 1990 to declare that the duty on foreign repairs made to U.S.-flag vessels shall not apply to the cost of equipment or spare parts for repairs made to certain U.S.-flag LASH (Lighter Aboard Ship) barges that entered the United States between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1994, provided certain conditions are met. (Sec. 21) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to declare that importers of civil aircraft that have been entered duty-free shall: (1) maintain such supporting documentation as the Secretary of the Treasury may require; and (2) be deemed to certify that such imported article is a civil aircraft, or has been imported for use in civil aircraft and will so be used. (Currently, importers must file a statement, along with the supporting documentation, with the appropriate customs officer stating that such article is and will be used as a civil aircraft, or that it has been imported for use in civil aircraft, and that it has been approved for such use by the Federal Aviation Administration.) (Sec. 22) Suspends, through December 31, 1998, the duty on methyl 2-(4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy) propionate (dichlorofop-methyl) in bulk form or in forms or packages for retail sale containing no other pesticide products. (Sec. 23) Imposes duties upon certain fireworks. Increases the column one duty rate regarding specified other types of fireworks. (Sec. 24) Grants duty-free treatment to 3,3-diaminobenzidine (tetraamino biphenyl). (Sec. 25) Reduces, through December 31, 1998, the duty on n-phenyl-n'-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5'yl urea (thidiazuron) in bulk or in forms or packages for retail sale. (Sec. 26) Grants duty-free treatment to 2-amino-3-chlorobenzoic acid, methyl ester. (Sec. 27) Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Uruguay Round Agreements Act and the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.