2012-11430. Agency Information Collection Activities: Customs Modernization Act Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

30-Day notice and request for comments; Extension of an existing information collection.

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: Customs Modernization Act Record Keeping Requirements. This is a proposed extension of an information collection that was previously approved. CBP is proposing that this information collection be extended with a change to the burden hours. This document is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. This information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (77 FR 13617) on March 7, 2012, allowing for a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before June 11, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be addressed to the OMB Desk Officer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, and sent via electronic mail to [e-mail] or faxed to [phone].

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 affected Federal agencies to submit written comments and suggestions on proposed and/or continuing information collection requests pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (Pub. L. 104-13). Your comments should address one of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency/component, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies/components estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information.

Title: Customs Modernization Act Recordkeeping Requirements.

OMB Number: 1651-0076.

Form Number: None.

Abstract: The North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, Title VI, known as the Customs Modernization Act (Mod Act) amended title 19 U.S.C. 1508, 1509 and 1510 by revising Customs and Border Protection (CBP) laws related to record keeping, examination of books and witnesses, regulatory audit procedures and judicial enforcement. Specifically, the Mod Act expanded the list of parties subject to CBP recordkeeping requirements, distinguished between records which pertain to the entry of merchandise and financial records needed to substantiate the correctness of information contained in entry documentation, and identified a list of records which must be maintained and produced upon request by CBP. The information and records are used by CBP to verify the accuracy of the claims made on the entry documents regarding the tariff status of imported merchandise, admissibility, classification/nomenclature, value and rate of duty applicable to the entered goods. The Mod Act recordkeeping requirements are provided for by 19 CFR part 163.

Action: CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with a change to the burden hours as a result of a revised estimate of the number of respondents currently complying with these recordkeeping provisions. There are no changes to these recordkeeping requirements.

Type of Review: Extension (with change).

Affected Public: Businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,459.

Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 5,459.

Estimated Time per Response: 1,040 hours.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 5,677,360.

Dated: May 8, 2012.

Tracey Denning,

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