Another 30 Days to Comment on Chapter 98 Special Tariff Treatment Info Collection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is announcing an additional 30 day comment period for the proposed extension and revision of its existing information collection concerning the Documentation Requirements for Articles Entered Under Various Special Tariff Treatment Provisions, which it plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget for approval.
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Comments on the proposed extension are due by August 5, 2011.
Proposes to Add HTS 9817.00.40 Certification, Change Burden Hour Estimate
CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with a change to the burden hours resulting from updated estimates of the response time, and the addition of HTS 9817.00.40 (described below). There are no other changes to the information being collected.
CBP estimates that 19,455 individuals will respond and the estimated number of responses per respondent is 3, with an estimated number of total annual responses of 58,335. CBP estimates that the time per response is 1 minute, with the estimated total annual burden hours at 933.
Declarations Under Info Collection Help CBP Determine Duty-Free Treatment
CBP explains that it is responsible for determining whether imported articles that are classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings 9801.00.10, 9802.00.20, 9802.00.25, 9802.00.40, 9802.00.50, and 9802.00.60 are entitled to duty-free or reduced duty treatment. In order to file under these HTS provisions, importers, or their agents, must have the declarations that are provided for in 19 CFR 10.1(a), 10.8(a), and 10.9(a) in their possession at the time of entry and submit them to CBP upon request.
These declarations enable CBP to ascertain whether the statutory conditions and requirements of these HTS provisions have been satisfied.
Proposes to Add HTS 9817.00.40 for Int’l Educational Visual/Auditory Materials
CBP proposes to add the declaration filed under HTS 9817.00.40 in accordance with 19 CFR 10.121 to this information collection. Products classifiable under HTS 9817.00.40 are developed photographic film, including motion-picture film on which pictures or sound and pictures have been recorded; photographic slides; transparencies; sound recordings; recorded video tape; models (except toy models); charts; maps; globes; and posters; all of the foregoing which are determined to be visual or auditory materials in accordance with U.S. note 1(a) of subchapter XVII (which describes the products and requirements of the Beirut Agreement, Nairobi Protocol to the Florence Agreement, etc.).
HTS 9817.00.40 Rarely Used, but CBP Proposing to Add for Consistency
According to CBP sources, HTS 9817.00.40 was not previously part of the information collection because it is an obscure, rarely used HTS number which involves an application to the State Department for a Certificate of International Educational Character. However, since CBP is ultimately responsible for determining whether imported articles that are classified under HTS 9817.00.40 are entitled to duty-free or reduced duty treatment, it is proposing to include it in the information collection.
Comments Requested on Ways to Minimize Burden, Etc.
CBP is asking for comments from the general public and other Federal agencies on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency/component, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agencies/components estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information.
CBP contact -- Tracey Denning (202) 325-0265
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/09/11 news, 11050940, for BP summary of CBPs seeking comments on this information collection by July 8, 2011.)