98-878. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 2200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-878]



[[Page 2200]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

TITLE: Request for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments or 
Apparatus.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public 
and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
continuing information collections, as required by the paperwork 
reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. Telephone 
Number: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Katie Stephenson, Statutory Import Programs Staff, Room 
4211, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone 
number: [phone] and fax number: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Departments of Commerce and Treasury are required to determine 
whether nonprofit institutions established for scientific or 
educational purposes are entitled to duty-free entry under the Florence 
Agreement of scientific instruments they import. Form ITA-338P enables 
(1) Treasury to determine whether the statutory eligibility 
requirements for the institution and the instrument are fulfilled, and 
(2) Commerce to make a comparison and finding as to the scientific 
equivalency of comparable instruments being manufactured in the United 
States. Without the collection of the information, Treasury and 
Commerce would not have the necessary information to carry out the 
responsibilities of determining eligibility for duty-free entry 
assigned by law.

II. Method of Collection

    The Department of Commerce distributes Form ITA-338P to potential 
applicants upon request. The applicant completes the form and then 
forwards it to the United States Customs Service. Upon acceptance by 
Customs as a valid application, the application is transmitted to 
Commerce for processing.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0037.
    Form Number: ITA-338P.
    Type of review: Extension-Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: State or local governments; Federal agencies; 
nonprofit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: The estimated annual cost for this 
collection is $208,800 ($8,800 for respondents and $200,000 for the 
federal government).

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 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 estimate of the burden 
(including hours and costs) of the proposed 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 of the collection 
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 8, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-878 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P