The purpose of this part is to provide for the implementation of the tariff-rate quota for beef established as a result of the Uruguay Round Agreements, approved by the Congress in section 101 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465). In particular, this part provides for the administration of export certificates where a country that has an allocation of the in-quota quantity under the tariff-rate quota has chosen to use export certificates.

Unless the context otherwise requires, for the purpose of this subpart, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned below.

(a) Beef means any article classified under any of the subheadings of the HTS specified in additional U.S. note 3 to chapter 2 of the HTS.

(b) Allocated country means a country to which an allocation of a particular quantity of beef has been assigned under additional U.S. note 3 to chapter 2 of the HTS.

(c) Enter means to enter, or withdraw from warehouse, for consumption.

(d) HTS means the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

(e) Participating country means any allocated country that USTR has determined is, and notified the U.S. Customs Service as being eligible to use export certificates.

(f) USTR means the United States Trade Representative or the designee of the United States Trade Representative.

(a) Beef may only be entered as a product of a participating country if the importer makes a declaration to the Customs Service, in the form and manner determined by the Customs Service, that a valid export certificate is in effect with respect to the beef.

(b) To be valid, an export certificate shall:

(1) Be issued by or under the supervision of the government of the participating country;

(2) Specify the name of the exporter, the product description and quantity, and the calendar year for which the export certificate is in effect;

(3) Be distinct and uniquely identifiable; and

(4) Be used in the calendar year for which it is in effect.