2017-02598. Agency Information Collection Activities: Importation Bond Structure

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

60-Day Notice and request for comments; extension of an existing collection of information.

SUMMARY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act: Importation Bond Structure (CBP Forms 301, and 5297). CBP is proposing that this information collection be extended with no change to the burden hours or to the information collected. This document is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before April 10, 2017 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

All submissions received must include the OMB Control Number 1651-0050 in the subject line and the agency name. To avoid duplicate submissions, please use only one of the following methods to submit comments:

(1) Email. Submit comments to: ([e-mail]). The email should include the OMB Control number in the subject line.

(2) Mail. Submit written comments to CBP PRA Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, Economic Impact Analysis Branch, 10th Floor, 90 K St. NE., Washington, DC 20229-1177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional PRA information should be directed to Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, 90 K Street NE., 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177, or via email ([e-mail]). Please note that the contact information provided here is solely for questions regarding this notice. Individuals seeking information about other CBP programs should contact the CBP National Customer Service Center at 877-227-5511, (TTY) 1-800-877-8339, or CBP Web site at https://www.cbp.gov/​. For additional help: https://help.cbp.gov/​app/​home/​search/​1.

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 (44 U.S.C. 3501). 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 cost burden to respondents or record keepers from the collection of information (total capital/startup costs and operations and maintenance costs). The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the CBP request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. In this document, CBP is soliciting comments concerning the following Information collection:

Title: Importation Bond Structure.

OMB Number: 1651-0050.

Form Number: CBP Forms 301 and 5297.

Abstract: Bonds are used to ensure that duties, taxes, charges, penalties, and reimbursable expenses owed to the Government are paid; to facilitate the movement of cargo and conveyances through CBP processing; and to provide legal recourse for the Government for noncompliance with laws and regulations. Each person who is required by law or regulation to post a bond in order to secure a Customs transaction must submit the bond on CBP Form 301 which is available at: https://www.cbp.gov/​newsroom/​publications/​forms?​title=​301&​=​Apply.

Surety bonds are usually executed by an agent of the surety. The surety company grants authority to the agent via a Corporate Surety Power of Attorney, CBP Form 5297. This power is vested with CBP so that when a bond is filed, the validity of the authority of the agent executing the bond and the name of the surety can be verified to the surety's grant. CBP Form 5297 is available at: https://www.cbp.gov/​document/​forms/​form-5297-corporate-surety-power-attorney. Bonds are required pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1608, and 1623; 22 U.S.C. 463; 19 CFR part 113.

Current Actions: This submission is being made to extend the expiration date with no change to the burden hours or to CBP Forms 301 or 5297.

Type of Review: Extension (without change).

Affected Public: Businesses.

Form 301, Customs Bond

Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 800,000.

Total Number of Estimated Annual Responses: 800,000.

Estimated time per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200,000.

Form 5297, Corporate Surety Power of Attorney

Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.

Total Number of Estimated Annual Responses: 500.

Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 125.

Dated: February 3, 2017.

Seth Renkema,

Branch Chief, Economic Impact Analysis Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.