CBP Extends Comment Period on Harbor Maintenance Fee Info Collection
CBP is extending the comment period to Feb. 26 on an existing information collection for the harbor maintenance fee. CBP proposes (here) to extend the expiration date of this information collection with no change to the burden hours.
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CBP Forms 349 and 350
The HMF is used for the operation and maintenance of certain shipping 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 percent 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.
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, foreign trade zone 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 Estimates
CBP estimated 2,240 total annual responses for Form 349, with each response estimated to take 30 minutes and an estimated total annual burden hours of 1,120.
CBP estimated 60 total annual responses for Form 350, with each response estimated to take 30 minutes and an estimated total annual burden hours of 30.
CBP estimated 575 total annual responses for general recordkeeping requirements, with each response estimated to take 10 minutes and an estimated total annual burden hours of 96.
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 of capital/startup costs and operations and maintenance costs).
CBP Contact -- Tracey Denning (202) 325-0265
(Federal Register 1/27/15)