[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68353-68354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34039]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
International Trade Data System Project Office; Proposed
Collection; Comment Request
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment
on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3505(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the International Trade Data System Project
Office within the Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments
concerning the migration of the North American Trade Automation
Prototype (NATAP) from a prototype to an operational pilot, and the
pilot of the International Trade Prototype both of which will operate
under the International Trade Data System (ITDS).
DATES: Written comments should be received on or before April 5, 1998.
To be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to The Department of the
Treasury, International Trade Data Systems Project Office, Attn:
William Nolle, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite 4000, Washington, DC
20229, Telephone (202) 216-2760.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or copies of the instructions
should be directed to The Department of the Treasury, International
Trade Data Systems Project Office, Attn.: William Nolle, 1300
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20229, Telephone
(202) 216-2760. Information concerning NATAP can also be obtained at
the following Web Site: www.itds.treas.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: The International Trade Data System; North American Trade
Automation Prototype (NATAP), and the International Trade Prototype
(ITP).
OMB Number: 1505-0162.
Abstract: After extensive consultation with the trade community in
the three countries, the NAFTA Information Exchange and Automation
Working Group developed the North American Trade Automation Prototype
(NATAP). NATAP is a prototype developed by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
to experiment with standardized data, advanced automation,
technologies, communications, and encryption designed to reduce costs
and improve trade among the three NAFTA counties. This is mandated by
Article 512 of the NAFTA. NATAP has been endorsed by the three
governments and their trade communities as a limited six month test to
be conducted at two US/Canada and four US/Mexico border locations.
After the prototype period ending in May 1998, NATAP will stop; the
governments and trade community will conduct joint and individual
evaluations of the concepts experienced in NATAP and will move NATAP
from a prototype to a pilot.
The intent of the International Trade Prototype (ITP) is nearly
identical to that of NATAP, with some variations. ITP is an initiative
with the United Kingdom Customs and Excise Administration. ITP employs
similar data and technology as NATAP but extends this type of
processing to the ocean (marine) and air environments. NATAP, on the
other hand, was limited to land border truck and rail transactions.
While the ITP is being done directly with the United Kingdom, it is
being carefully examined by the European Economic Union (EEU).
These two operational pilots (NATAP and ITP) will be used as a
proof of concept for many attributes for the International Trade Data
System (ITDS) as defined in the National Performance Review (NPR) under
initiative ``IT 06'' and as noted in the ``Access America'' NPR report
``A09'' in which the Vice President has designated NATAP to validate
the International Trade Data System concept. In addition, NATAP
incorporates encryption and privacy as noted in NPR initiative
``IT10.'' NATAP and ITP are compatible as a proof of concept of the
International Trade Data System and lead into other international trade
initiatives such as international standardization of trade date being
developed by the G-7 countries, and harmonization efforts underway with
the Asian Pacific Economic Conference (APEC).
In addition to the international standardization aspects of United
States international, the intent of the U.S. Treasury, International
Trade Data System Project Office is to demonstrate the integration of
individual U.S. federal agency trade procedures into a comprehensive
international trade process that includes the clearance and
admissibility of goods, drivers/crew, and conveyances for purposes of
enforcement, revenue, health and safety, etc.
Current Actions: The three governments have agreed to extend NATAP
as a prototype for six additional months until May 15, 1998. At the end
of this prototype period, the three governments have agreed to deploy
NATAP as an operational pilot. Note that the distinction between a
prototype and operational pilots is that under the prototype,
participants were required to conduct trade in the prototype and
duplicate the same transaction in the current system. As an operational
pilot, the transaction processed under the pilot will constitute the
bonafide declaration and release. It will not be necessary under the
pilot to perform both processes to obtain release of goods.
Since we have gained much experience with NATAP in these advanced
methods of processing, the International Trade Prototype effort with
the United Kingdom will incorporate lessons learned from the NATAP and
will move directly into the operation pilot phase.
This is a request to permit the United States Treasury Department
along with the Federal agencies participating in the NATAP and ITP to
allow the collection of data for these pilots for a three year period.
Volunteers have agreed to participate in NATAP and ITP in order to
provide traders with the opportunity to experiment with these advanced
technologies and procedures with minimal expense. Through their
evaluation of NATAP and ITP, they will have input into future trade
processes, requirements and the design, development, and deployment of
the International Trade Data System.
Type of Review: Extension.
Affected Public: Importers, exporters, customs house brokers,
carriers (truck and rail) who have volunteered to participate in NATAP
and ITP.
Estimated Number of Respondents: There are approximately 120 U.S.
participants. Estimated number of respondents is 120.
Estimated Time per Respondents: Each response will not exceed 3.5
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 0 (No additional burden hours
required. Pilot removes the need for
[[Page 68354]]
parallel processing as stated in original notice of November 25, 1996.
Pilot replaces burden hours for Customs document CF 3461-ALT 1515-
0069.)
Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice
will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All
comments will become a matter of public record.
Comments are invited on: (a) evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the function of the agency, including whether the information and the
prototype will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's
estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of this information to be
collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of information on
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology; (e) estimates of capital start-
up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services
to provide information.
Richard A. Kuzmack,
Deputy Director, International Trade Data System Project Office.
[FR Doc. 97-34039 Filed 12-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-25-M
