2010-12128. Agency Information Collection Activities: NAFTA Regulations and Certificate of Origin

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

30-Day notice and request for comments; revision of an existing information collection: 1651-0098.

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: NAFTA Regulations and Certificate of Origin. 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 5100) on February 1, 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 21, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the 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: NAFTA Regulations and Certificate of Origin.

OMB Number: 1651-0098.

Form Numbers: CBP Forms 434, 446, and 447.

Abstract: The objectives of NAFTA are to eliminate barriers to trade in goods and services between the United States, Mexico, and Canada and to facilitate conditions of fair competition within the free trade area. CBP uses these forms to verify eligibility for preferential tariff treatment under NAFTA. CBP is adding the Form 447, North American Free Trade Agreement Motor Vehicle Averaging Election, to this collection of information. The CBP Form 447 is used to gather the information required by 19 CFR part 181, section 11(2), Information Required When Producer Chooses to Average for Motor Vehicles. The Form 447 shall be completed for each category set out in the Regulation that is chosen by the producer of a motor vehicle referred to in 19 CFR part 181, section 13 (Special Regional Value Content Requirements) in filing an election pursuant to subsection 13(4).

Current Actions: This submission is being made to revise the burden hours as a result of adding Form 447.

Type of Review: Revision.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Form 434, NAFTA Certificate of Origin:

Estimated Number of Respondents: 40,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.

Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30,000.

Form 446, NAFTA Questionnaire:

Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 300.

Form 447, NAFTA Motor Vehicle Averaging Election:

Estimated Number of Respondents: 11.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.28.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 14.

Dated: May 17, 2010.

Tracey Denning,

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