2010-11469. Agency Information Collection Activities: African Growth and Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin

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: 1651-0082.

SUMMARY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act: African Growth and Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin (AGOA). 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 proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (75 FR 9423) on March 2, 2010, 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 14, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this proposed 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 Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, and sent via electronic mail to [e-mail] or faxed to [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encourages 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: African Growth and Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin.

OMB Number: 1651-0082.

Form Number: None.

Abstract: The information collected is used to verify eligibility for duty preferences under the provisions of AGOA. It is provided for under 19 CFR 10.214, 10.215, and 10.216. Specifically, this program provides 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 from the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The burden hours were reduced for this information collection because trade with African countries has dropped 15 percent, resulting in few claims under the AGOA program.

Current Actions: This submission is being made to extend the expiration date with a change to the burden hours.

Type of Review: Extension (with change).

Affected Public: Businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 375.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 70.

Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 26,250.

Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,925.

If additional information is required, contact: Tracey Denning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Regulations and Rulings, 799 9th Street, NW., 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177, at 202-325-0265.

Dated: May 10, 2010.

Tracey Denning,

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