CBP Seeks Comments on Minimizing Burden of NAFTA Duty Deferral Info Collection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is seeking comments by February 14, 2011 on an existing “regulatory” information collection, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Duty Deferral.
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NAFTA Duty Deferral Info Needed for Duties to be Reduced or Waived
The objectives of NAFTA are to eliminate barriers between countries, to facilitate conditions of fair competition within the free trade area, and to liberalize conditions for investments with the free trade area.
19 CFR 181.53 sets forth procedures and documentation required for those seeking a reduction in duties when merchandise is withdrawn or removed from a U.S. duty deferral program for exportation to Canada or Mexico or for entry into a Canadian or Mexican duty-deferral program. Claimants must provide this information to CBP so a determination can be made to reduce or waive duties on imported merchandise. Information on how to file claims under NAFTA duty deferral can be found here.
CBP Estimates 50 Will Respond, 280 Burden Hours
CBP states that businesses are affected by NAFTA duty deferral. It estimates the number of respondents to be 50, with the estimated number of annual responses to be 1,400.
CBP estimates the time per response will be 12 minutes and the estimated total annual burden hours will be 280.
Comments Requested on Reducing Burden of This Info Collection
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 to extend the expiration date of this information collection with no change to the burden hours or to the information being collected. Any comments will be summarized and included in CBP's request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.
CBP contact- Tracey Denning (202) 325-0265