2010-31636. Agency Information Collection Activities: North American Free Trade Agreement Duty Deferral

AGENCY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION:

60-Day notice and request for comments; extension of an existing collection of information: 1651-0071.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Duty Deferral. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)).

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before February 14, 2011, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Attn: Tracey Denning, Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, 799 9th Street, NW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information should be directed to Tracey Denning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, 799 9th Street, NW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177, at 202-325-0265.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments should address: (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; (d) ways to minimize the burden including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology; and (e) the annual costs burden to respondents or record keepers from the collection of information (a total capital/startup costs and operations and maintenance costs). The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the CBP request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. In this document CBP is soliciting comments concerning the following information collection:

Title: NAFTA Duty Deferral.

OMB Number: 1651-0071.

Abstract: The provisions of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) were adopted by the U.S. with the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act of 1993 (Pub. L. 103-182). The objectives of NAFTA are to eliminate barriers between countries, to facilitate conditions of fair competition within the free trade area, and to liberalize conditions for investments with the free trade area.

19 CFR 181.53 sets forth procedures and documentation required for those seeking a reduction in duties when merchandise is withdrawn from a U.S. duty deferral program for exportation to another NAFTA country. Claimants must provide this information to CBP so a determination can be made to reduce or waive duties on imported merchandise. Information on how to file claims under NAFTA duty deferral can be found at: http://www.cbp.gov/​xp/​cgov/​trade/​trade_​programs/​international_​agreements/​free_​trade/​nafta/​duty_​deferral/​.

Current Actions: CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with no change to the burden hours or to the information being collected.

Type of Review: Extension (without change).

Affected Public: Businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.

Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 28.

Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 1,400.

Estimated Time per Response: 12 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 280.

Dated: December 13, 2010.

Tracey Denning,

Agency Clearance Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.