CBP Seeks Comments on Harbor Maintenance Fee Forms 349 and 350
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is requesting comments by July 5, 2011, on extending its existing Harbor Maintenance Fee (CBP Forms 349 and 350) information collection.
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CBP Proposes to Amend Form 349, Changes Burden Hour Estimates
This submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is being made to extend the expiration date of this information collection with a change to the burden hours resulting from revised estimates of the number of responses. CBP also proposes to add the respondent’s email address and fax number to Form 349. There are no proposed changes to CBP 350.
CBP Collects HMF on Commercial Cargo Loaded/Unloaded from Vessels
The Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) and Trust Fund is used for the operation and maintenance of certain U.S. channels and harbors by the Army Corps of Engineers. CBP is required to collect the HMF from importers, domestic shippers, and passenger vessel operators using federal navigation projects. Commercial cargo loaded on or unloaded from a commercial vessel is subject to a port use fee of 0.125% of its value if the loading or unloading occurs at a port that has been designated by the Army Corps of Engineers. The HMF also applies to the total ticket value of embarking and disembarking passengers and on cargo admissions into a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ).
CBP Form 349, Harbor Maintenance Fee Quarterly Summary Report, and CBP Form 350, Harbor Maintenance Fee Amended Quarterly Summary Report are completed by domestic shippers, FTZ applicants, and passenger vessel operators and submitted with payment to CBP. CBP proposes to amend Form 349 to add the respondent’s email address and fax number.
CBP uses the information collected on CBP Forms 349 and 350 to verify that the fee collected is timely and accurately submitted. These forms are authorized by the Water
Resources Development Act of 1986 and provided for by 19 CFR 24.24 (available here), which also includes the list of designated ports. CBP Forms 349 and 350 are accessible at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/forms/ or they may be completed and filed electronically at www.pay.gov.
CBP Estimates 575 of Businesses Will Respond
CBP estimates the number of respondents annually will be 575, with the number of responses at 2,300. The estimated time per respondent is 130 minutes, with the total estimated annual burden hours being 1,246.
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 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 estimates 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 including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology; and (e) 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 Contact -- Tracey Denning (202) 325-0265