2019-05384. Agency Information Collection Activities: Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Trusted Trader Program

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.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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 of 1995 (PRA). The information collection is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and must be submitted (no later than May 20, 2019) to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice must include the OMB Control Number 1651-0077 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].

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional PRA information should be directed to Seth Renkema, Chief, Economic Impact Analysis Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, 90 K Street NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177, Telephone number [phone] 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 website at https://www.cbp .gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed and/or continuing information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following four points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) suggestions to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) suggestions to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the request for approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Overview of This Information Collection

Title: Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Trusted Trader Program.

OMB Number: 1651-0077.

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

Type of Review: Extension (with no change).

Affected Public: Businesses.

Abstract: The C-TPAT Program is designed to safeguard the world's trade industry from terrorists and smugglers by prescreening its participants. The C-TPAT Program applies to United States importers, customs brokers, consolidators, port and terminal operators, carriers, and foreign manufacturers.

Respondents apply to participate in the Trusted Trader Program and C-TPAT using an on-line application at: https://ctpat.cbp.dhs.gov/​trade-web/​index. The C-TPAT Program application requests an applicant's contact and business information, including the number of company employees, the number of years in business, and a list of company officers. This collection of information is authorized by the SAFE Port Act (Pub. L. 109-347).

The Trusted Trader Program involves a unification of supply chain security aspects of the C-TPAT Program and the internal controls of the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) Program to integrate supply chain security and trade compliance. The Trusted Trader Program strengthens security by leveraging the C-TPAT supply chain requirements and validation, identifying low-risk trade entities for supply chain security and trade compliance, and increasing the overall efficiency of trade by segmenting risk and processing by account. The Trusted Trader Program applies to importer participants who have satisfied C-TPAT supply chain security and trade compliance requirements.

After an importer obtains Trusted Trader Program membership, the importer will be required to submit an Annual Notification Letter to CBP confirming that they are continuing to meet the requirements of the Trusted Trader Program. This letter should include: personnel changes that impact the Trusted Trader Program; organizational and procedural changes; a summary of risk assessment and self-testing results; a summary of post-entry amendments and/or disclosures made to CBP; and any importer activity changes within the last 12-month period.

C-TPAT Program Application:

Estimated Number of Respondents: 750.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Time per Response: 20 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,000.

Trusted Trader Program Application:

Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100.

Trusted Trader Program's Annual Notification Letter:

Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100.

Dated: March 14, 2019.

Seth D. Renkema,

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