CBP Extends Comment Period on Info Collections for Export Under Bond, FTZ Requirements, Etc.
CBP is seeking comments by Nov. 20 on existing information collection requests for foreign-trade zone annual reconciliation certification and record-keeping requirements, exportation of articles under special bond, cost submissions and entry of articles for exhibition, it said in notices published in the Oct. 21 Federal Register. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of these information collections with no change to the burden hours or the information collected.
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FTZ Annual Requirements
In accordance with 19 CFR 146.25 and 146.4, FTZ operators are required to account for zone merchandise admitted, stored, manipulated and removed from FTZs. FTZ operators must prepare a reconciliation report within 90 days after the end of the zone year for a spot check or audit by CBP. In addition, within 10 working days after the annual reconciliation, FTZ operators must submit to the CBP port director a letter signed by the operator certifying that the annual reconciliation has been prepared, is available for CBP review and is accurate. The Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 USC 81a-81u), authorizes these requirements.
Exportation Under Special Bond
CBP Form 3495, Application for Exportation of Articles Under Special Bond, is an application for exportation of articles entered under temporary bond pursuant to 19 USC 1202, Chapter 98, subchapter XIII, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, and 19 CFR 10.38. CBP Form 3495 is used by importers to notify CBP that the importer intends to export goods that were subject to a duty exemption based on a temporary stay in this country. It also serves as a permit to export in order to satisfy the importer's obligation to export the same goods and thereby get a duty exemption.
Cost Submissions
The information collected on CBP Form 247, Cost Submission, is used by CBP to assist in correctly calculating the duty on imported merchandise. This form includes details on actual costs and helps CBP determine which costs are dutiable and which are not. This collection of information is provided for by subheadings 9801.00.10, 9802.00.40, 9802.00.50, 9802.00.60 and 9802.00.80 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), and by 19 USC 1508 through 1509, 19 CFR 10.11-10.24, 19 CFR 141.88 and 19 CFR 152.106.
Entry for Exhibition
Goods entered for the purpose of exhibit at fairs, or for use in constructing, installing, or maintaining foreign exhibits at a fair, may be free of duty under 19 USC 1752. In order to substantiate that goods qualify for duty-free treatment, the consignee of the merchandise must provide information to CBP about the imported goods, which is specified in 19 CFR 147.11(c).
CBP Estimates
For FTZ annual reconciliation certification and record-keeping requirements, CBP estimated 276 total annual responses, estimated to require 45 minutes per response.
For CBP Form 3495, CBP estimated 15,000 total annual responses, estimated to require eight minutes per response.
For CBP Form 247, CBP estimated 1,000 total annual responses, estimated to require 50 hours per response.
For goods entered for exhibition, CBP estimated 2,500 total annual responses, estimated to require 20 minutes per response.
Comments Requested on Ways to Minimize Burden, Etc.
CBP is asking for comments from the public and other federal agencies on (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimates of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden, including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.