CBP Seeks Comments on FTZ Annual Reconciliation Requirements
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is requesting comments by November 1, 2011, on an existing “Foreign Trade Zone Annual Reconciliation Certification and Record Keeping Requirement” information collection.
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This submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is being made to extend the expiration date of this information collection with no change to the burden hours or to the information being collected.
FTZ Operators Are Required to Prepare Annual Reconciliation Certification, Etc.
In accordance with 19 CFR 146.25 and 146.4, foreign trade zone (FTZ) operators are required to account for zone merchandise admitted, stored, manipulated and removed from FTZs. FTZ operators must prepare a reconciliation report within 90 days after the end of the zone year for a spot check or audit by CBP. In addition, within 10 working days after the annual reconciliation, FTZ operators must submit to the CBP port director a letter signed by the operator certifying that the annual reconciliation has been prepared and is available for CBP review and is accurate.
These requirements are authorized by the Foreign Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 USC 81a).
CBP Estimates 260 Respondents at 45 Minutes Each
CBP estimates the number of respondents will be 260. CBP estimates the time per respondent to be 45 minutes each, with the total annual burden hours to be 195.
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