2023-20258. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Import, End-User, Delivery Verification Certificates and Firearms Entry Clearance Requirements

AGENCY:

Bureau of Industry and Security, Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of Information Collection, request for comment.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES:

To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before November 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments by email to Mark Crace, IC Liaison, Bureau of Industry and Security, at [e-mail] or to [e-mail]. Please reference OMB Control Number 0694–0093 in the subject line of your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Mark Crace, IC Liaison, Bureau of Industry and Security, phone [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This collection of information addresses three activities: (1) Import Certificates/End Use Certificates, (2) Delivery Verification, and (3) Firearms Entry Clearance Requirements.

Import Certificates or End-User Certificates (IC/EUC) —The IC/EUC, BIS–645P, is obtained by the foreign importer and transmitted to the U.S. exporter. They are issued by the government of the country of ultimate destination to exercise legal control over the disposition of the items covered by the IC/EUC. The control exercised by the government issuing the IC/EUC is in addition to the conditions and restrictions placed on the transaction by BIS.

Delivery Verification —The Delivery Verification Certificate (DV) is required by BIS as part of its export control program. The license holder is responsible for having the ultimate consignee complete the BIS–647P, Delivery Verification Certificate Form when the goods are delivered. BIS uses the DV procedure on an “as needed” basis. The DV is usually required when there is suspicion of violation of the EAR. Therefore, if the exporter cannot supply the DV, BIS must be notified to determine if an exception is legitimate. Otherwise, the exporter would be in violation of the EAR.

Firearms Entry Clearance Requirements —This entry clearance requirement is necessary due to the changes by the President in determining that certain items no longer warrant control under United States Munitions List (USML) Category I—Firearms, Close Assault Weapons and Combat Shotguns; Category II—Guns and Armament; and Category III—Ammunition/Ordnance would be controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL). As the State Department previously collected this same type of information, the Department of Commerce controls the CCL and must now take over this collection of information.

II. Method of Collection

Submitted electronically or in paper form.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0694–0093.

Form Number(s): BIS–645P, BIS 647–P.

Type of Review: Regular submission, extension of a current information collection. Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,776.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 to 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1630.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 0.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: §§ 748.9, 748.10, 748.12, 748.14, Part 748 Supplement No. 5, 758.10, 762.5(d), 762.6, 764.2(g)(2), and of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

IV. Request for Comments

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,

Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.