03-31150. Proposed Collection; Comment Request; African Growth and Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning the African Growth and Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)).

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before February 17, 2004, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Information Services Group, Room 3.2.C, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information should be directed to Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Attn.: Tracey Denning, Room 3.2.C., 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229, Tel. [phone].

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 (Public Law 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) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operations, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. 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: African Growth and Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin.

OMB Number: 1651-0082.

Form Number: None.

Abstract: The collection of information is required to implement the duty preference provisions of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to provide extension of duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) to sensitive articles normally excluded from GSP duty treatment. It also provides for the entry of specific textile and apparel articles free of duty and free of any quantitative limits to the countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

Current Actions: There are no changes to the information collection. This submission is being submitted to extend the expiration date.

Type of Review: Extension (without change).

Affected Public: Individuals, businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 440.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 23 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10,400.

Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: $239,269.

Dated: December 10, 2003.

Tracey Denning,

Agency Clearance Officer, Information Services Group.