CBP Seeks Comments on Enhancing Utility of e-Allegations Submission
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is seeking comments by February 14, 2011 on an existing information collection, the e-Allegations Submission.
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e-Allegations Used to Report Trade Violations to CBP
In the interest of detecting trade violations to customs laws, CBP established the e-Allegations website to provide a means for concerned members of the trade community to confidentially report violations to CBP. The e-Allegations site allows the public to submit pertinent information that assists CBP in its decision whether or not to pursue the alleged violations by initiating an investigation, and how to best proceed in the case that an investigation is warranted.
The information collected includes the name, phone number and email address of the member of the trade community reporting the alleged violation. It also includes a description of the alleged violation, and the name and address of the potential violators. The e-Allegations website is accessible at https://apps.cbp.gov/eallegations/.
CBP Estimates 1,600 Will Respond, 400 Burden Hours
CBP states that businesses and individuals are affected by e-Allegations Submission. It estimates the number of respondents to be 1,600, with the estimated number of annual responses to be 1,600.
CBP estimates the time per response will be 15 minutes and the estimated total annual burden hours will be 400.
Comments Requested on Ways to Enhance Utility of Allegation Submissions
CBP is asking for comments from the general public and other federal agencies (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimates of the burden of the collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (4) ways to minimize the burden including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology; and (5) the annual costs burden to respondents or record keepers from the collection of information (a total capital/startup costs and operations and maintenance costs).
CBP is proposing that this information collection be extended with a change to the burden hours. There is no change to the information collected. Any comments will be summarized and included in CBP's request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.
(The e-Allegations system allows external parties to provide CBP with information regarding suspected non-compliance and possible infringement of intellectual property rights. The system is open to everyone and is not limited to individuals or companies that have recorded trademarks or copyrights with CBP. See ITT's Online Archives or 06/18/08 news, 08061810, for BP summary of CBP e-Allegations.)
CBP contact- Tracey Denning (202) 325-0265