2014-27613. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Services-Surveys: BE-150, Quarterly Survey of Payment Card and Bank Card Transactions Related to International Travel

AGENCY:

Bureau of Economic Analysis, Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies 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)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before January 20, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, or via email at [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Request for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Christopher Stein, Chief, Services Surveys Branch BE-50 (SSB), Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; or via email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Quarterly Survey of Payment Card and Bank Card Transactions Related to International Travel (BE-150) is a survey that collects data on the credit, debit, charge, automated teller machine (ATM), and point of sale transactions of U.S. persons traveling abroad and foreign persons traveling in the United States. The information collected on this survey will be used to formulate U.S. international economic policy and analyze the impact of that policy, and the policies of foreign countries, on international trade in services. The data are also used in estimating the travel component of the U.S. international transactions accounts (ITAs) and national income and product accounts (NIPAs).

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is proposing no additions, modifications, or deletions to the current BE-150 survey. The effort to keep current reporting requirements unchanged is intended to minimize respondent burden while considering the needs of data users. Existing language in the instructions and definitions will be reviewed and adjusted as necessary to clarify survey requirements.

II. Method of Collection

Form BE-150 is a quarterly report that must be filed within 45 days after the end of each quarter and is mandatory for each U.S. company that operates networks for clearing and settling credit card transactions made by U.S. cardholders in foreign countries and by foreign cardholders in the United States and from PIN-based debit network companies.

BEA offers its electronic filing option, the eFile system, for use in reporting on Form BE-150. For more information about eFile, go to www.bea.gov/​efile.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0608-0072.

Form Number: BE-150.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Responses: 24 annually (6 filed each quarter).

Estimated Time per Response: 16 hours is the average, but may vary considerably among respondents because of differences in company size and complexity.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 384.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act (Pub. L. 94-472, 22 U.S.C. 3101-3108, as amended).

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (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.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: November 18, 2014.

Glenna Mickelson,

Management Analyst, Office of Chief Information Officer.