Imposition of Import Restrictions on Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Uzbekistan

<RULE> DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY <SUBAGY>U.S. Customs and Border Protection</SUBAGY> DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY <CFR>19 CFR Part 12</CFR> <DEPDOC>[CBP Dec. 25-04]</DEPDOC> <RIN>RIN 1685-AA31</RIN> <SUBJECT>Imposition of Import Restrictions on Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Uzbekistan</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Final rule. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> This document amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect the imposition of import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological materials from the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan). These restrictions are imposed pursuant to an agreement between the United States and Uzbekistan, entered into under the authority of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act. This document amends the CBP regulations by adding Uzbekistan to the list of countries which have bilateral agreements with the United States imposing cultural property import restrictions and contains the Designated List, describing the archaeological and ethnological material to which the restrictions apply. </SUM> <EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD> Effective on May 5, 2025. </EFFDATE> <FURINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD> For legal aspects, W. Richmond Beevers, Chief, Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted Merchandise Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, (202) 325-0084, <E T="03">ot-otrrculturalproperty@cbp.dhs.gov.</E> For operational aspects, Julie L. Stoeber, Chief, 1USG Branch, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of Trade, (202) 945-7064, <E T="03">1USGBranch@cbp.dhs.gov.</E> </FURINF> <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Background</HD> The Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (Pub. L. 97-446, 19 U.S.C. 2601 <E T="03">et seq.</E> ) (CPIA), which implements the 1970 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (823 U.N.T.S. 231 (1972)) (Convention), allows for the conclusion of an agreement between the United States and another party to the Convention to impose import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material. Pursuant to the CPIA, the United States entered into a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan) to impose import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material of Uzbekistan. This rule announces that the United States is now imposing import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material of Uzbekistan through November 7, 2028. This period may be extended for additional periods, each extension not to exceed five years, if it is determined that the factors justifying the initial agreement still pertain and no cause for suspension of the agreement exists (19 U.S.C. 2602(e); § 12.104g(a) of title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (19 CFR 12.104g(a))). <HD SOURCE="HD1">Determinations</HD> Under 19 U.S.C. 2602(a)(1), the United States must make certain determinations before entering into an agreement to impose import restrictions under 19 U.S.C. 2602(a)(2). On June 6, 2023, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, after consultation with and recommendation by the Cultural Property Advisory Committee, made the determinations required under the statute with respect to certain archaeological and ethnological material originating in Uzbekistan that is described in the Designated List set forth below in this document. These determinations include the following: (1) that the cultural patrimony of Uzbekistan is in jeopardy from the pillage of archaeological material representing Uzbekistan's cultural heritage dating from approximately 50,000 B.C.E. to 1773 C.E., and ethnological materials dating from approximately 600 to 1917 C.E. (19 U.S.C. 2602(a)(1)(A)); (2) that the government of Uzbekistan has taken measures consistent with the Convention to protect its cultural patrimony (19 U.S.C. 2602(a)(1)(B)); (3) that import restrictions imposed by the United States would be of substantial benefit in deterring a serious situation of pillage and remedies less drastic are not available (19 U.S.C. 2602(a)(1)(C)); and (4) that the application of import restrictions as set forth in this final rule is consistent with the general interests of the international community in the interchange of cultural property among nations for scientific, cultural, and educational purposes (19 U.S.C. 2602(a)(1)(D)). The Assistant Secretary also found that the material described in the determinations meets the statutory definition of “archaeological or ethnological material of the State Party” (19 U.S.C. 2601(2)). <HD SOURCE="HD1">The Agreement</HD> On November 7, 2023, the Governments of the United States and Uzbekistan signed a bilateral agreement, “Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Categories of Archaeological and Ethnological Materials of Uzbekistan” (hereinafter, “the Agreement”), pursuant to the provisions of 19 U.S.C. 2602(a)(2). The Agreement entered into force upon signature and enables the promulgation of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material ranging in date from approximately 50,000 B.C.E. to 1773 C.E., as well as certain categories of ethnological material dating from approximately 600 to 1917 C.E. A list of the categories of archaeological and ethnological materials subject to the import restrictions is set forth later in this document. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Restrictions and Amendment to the Regulations</HD> In accordance with the Agreement, importation of material designated below is subject to the restrictions of 19 U.S.C. 2606 and 19 CFR 12.104g(a) and will be restricted from entry into the United States unless the conditions set forth in 19 U.S.C. 2606 and 19 CFR 12.104c are met. CBP is amending 19 CFR 12.104g(a) to indicate that these import restrictions have been imposed. Import restrictions listed at 19 CFR 12.104g(a) are effective for no more than five years beginning on the date on which an agreement enters into force with respect to the United States. This period may be extended for additional periods of not more than five years if it is determined that the factors which justified the agreement still pertain and no cause for suspension of the agreement exists. Therefore, the import restrictions will expire on November 7, 2028, unless extended. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Designated List of Archaeological and Ethnological Materials From Uzbekistan</HD> The Agreement between the United States and Uzbekistan includes, but is not limited to, the categories of objects described in the Designated List set forth below. The Designated List includes archaeological and ethnological material of Uzbekistan. The archaeological material in the Designated List ranges in date from 50,000 B.C.E. through 1773 C.E. The ethnological material in the Designated List includes architectural elements, funerary objects, Islamic religious and ceremonial objects, and manuscripts associated with Uzbekistan's diverse history from 600 C.E. through 1917 C.E. The Designated List includes, but is not limited to, categories of objects described below. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Categories of Archaeological and Ethnological Material</HD> <EXTRACT> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">I. Archaeological Material</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Stone</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Ceramics, Faience, and Fired Clay</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Metal</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2"> D. Plaster, Stucco, and Unfired Clay (also called <E T="03">ganch</E> or gypsum) </FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Painting</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Ivory, Bone, and Shell</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. Glass</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">H. Leather, Birch Bark, Vellum, Parchment, and Paper</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">I. Textiles</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">J. Wood, Shell, and other Organic Material</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">K. Human Remains</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">II. Ethnological Material</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Architectural Elements</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Funerary Objects</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Islamic Religious and Ceremonial Objects</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Manuscripts</FP> </EXTRACT> <E T="03">Approximate simplified chronology of well-known periods:</E> <E T="03">Middle and Upper Paleolithic:</E> c. 50,000-12,000 B.C.E. <E T="03">Mesolithic and Neolithic</E> (Kelteminar): c. 12,000-3000 B.C.E. <E T="03">Chalcolithic:</E> c. 5500-3200 B.C.E. <E T="03">Bronze Age</E> (Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex/BMAC, Andronovo, Tazabagyab, Zamanbaba): c. 3000-1500 B.C.E. <E T="03">Iron Age</E> (Amirabad and Chust cultures, Yaz-I, Yaz-II and III cultures, Saka and Massagetae peoples, Achaemenid empire): c. 1500-329 B.C.E. <E T="03">Greco-Bactrian and Kushan Periods</E> (Seleucid empire, Greco-Bactrian kingdom, Khorezm kingdom, Kushan empire, Kangju Federation): 329 B.C.E.-241 C.E. <E T="03">Late Antiquity</E> (Kushano-Sasanians/Kushan-shahs, Afrigid rule in Khorezm, Sogdian principalities and city states, Chionites and Kidarite Huns, Hephthalite Empire, Turkic Qaghanate): 241-708 C.E. <E T="03">Early Islamic/Medieval Period</E> (Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates, Samanid Empire, Karakhanid Khanate, Ghaznavid Dynasty, Seljuk Empire, Kara-Khitai Empire, Khwarazmshah (also spelled Khorezmshah) Dynasty): 708-1220 C.E. <E T="03">Mongol Period</E> (Mongol Empire, Chagatai (also spelled Chaghatai) Khanate, Timurid Empire): 1220-1510 C.E. <E T="03">Uzbek P ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Preview showing 10k of 55k characters. 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