E8-11600. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

Agency: International Trade Administration.

Title: Foreign-Trade Zones Application.

OMB Control Number: 0625-0139.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Request: Regular submission.

Burden Hours: 6,651.

Number of Respondents: 74.

Average Hours per Response: 38 to 151 hours (depending on type of application).

Needs and Uses: The Foreign-Trade Zone Application is the vehicle by which individual firms or organizations apply for foreign-trade zone (FTZ) status, subzone status, or expansion of an existing zone. The FTZ Act and regulations require that an application with a description of the proposed project be made to the FTZ Board (19 U.S.C. 81b and 81f; 15 CFR 400.24-26) before a license can be issued or a zone can be expanded. It is also required that applications contain detailed information on facilities, financing, operational plans, proposed manufacturing operations, need, and economic impact. The manufacturing activity in zones, which is primarily conducted in subzones, can involve issues related to domestic industry and trade policy impact. Such applications must include specific information on the Customs tariff-related savings that result from zone procedures and the economic consequences of permitting such savings. The FTZ Board needs complete and accurate information on the proposed operation and its economic effects because the Act and regulations authorize the Board to restrict or prohibit operations that are detrimental to the public interest.

Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government; not-for-profit institutions; and business or other for-profit organizations.

Frequency: On occasion.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, [phone].

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, Fax number [phone] or via the Internet at [e-mail].

Dated: May 20, 2008.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.