01-23889. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms within the Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments concerning the Consignment of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes Export Shipments.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before November 26, 2001 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Linda Barnes, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226, [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the form(s) and instructions should be directed to Thomas Crone, Chief, Regulations Division, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Consignment of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes Export Shipments.

OMB Number: 1512-0531.

Recordkeeping Requirement ID Number: ATF REC 5210/1.

Abstract: Tobacco products have historically been a major source of excise tax revenues for the Federal Government. In order to safeguard these taxes, members of the regulated tobacco industry are required to maintain a system of records designed to establish accountability over the tobacco products manufactured. The recordkeeping requirement for this information collection is 2 years.

Current Actions: There are no changes to this information collection and it is being submitted for extension purposes only.

Type of Review: Extension.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 314.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 21,195.

Request for Comments

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

Dated: September 17, 2001.

William T. Earle,

Assistant Director (Management) CFO.