Supporting Statement
CBP Declaration - CBP Form 6059B
1651-0009
A. Justification
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statue and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.
CBP Form 6059B, Customs Declaration, is used as a standard report of identity, citizenship, and residence of each person arriving in the U.S. by airplane and ship.
Imported articles must be declared to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under 19 U.S.C. 66, section 498 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1498). Sections 148.12 and 148.13 of the CBP Regulations prescribe the use of Form 6059B for each passenger entering the U.S. by airplane or ship to make a written declaration for CBP.
2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
CBP Form 6059B is used as a standard report of identity, citizenship, and residence of each person arriving in the U.S. by airplane and ship. Legally the form facilitates CBP’s enforcement of various import laws relating to customs duties, agricultural products, endangered species, and the currency reporting laws. Also, the form allows CBP to be selective in its inspection procedures thereby freeing CBP Officers from the need to more closely question travelers or examine their baggage. This reduction in the need for extensive questioning or the physical examination of baggage is also a benefit to the traveler.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
The information required is incidental to the arrival of the traveler and most 6059Bs are filled out either on a plane, cruise ship, etc. so computer transmission would not be appropriate.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.
This information is not duplicated in any other place or any other form.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities , describe any methods used to minimize burden.
This information collection does not have an impact on small businesses or other small entities.
Describe consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
If this collection were conducted less frequently, CBP would lose control of air/sea passenger revenue collections and lengthen processing time at airports. CBP would also be less effective in its effort to support agricultural quarantines.
7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:
This information is collected in a manner consistent with the guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).
8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.
Public comments were solicited through two Federal Register notices published on October 8, 2009 (Volume 74, Page 51870) and on December 16, 2009 (Volume 74, Page 66665). No comments were received.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
There is no offer of a monetary or material value for this information collection.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
There are no assurances of confidentiality provided to the respondents of this information collection.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
There are no questions of a sensitive nature.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.
INFORMATION COLLECTION |
TOTAL ANNUAL BURDEN HOURS |
NO. OF RESPONDENTS |
NO. OF RESPONSES PER RESPONDENT |
TOTAL RESPONSES |
TIME PER RESPONSE |
Customs Declaration (Form 6059-B)
|
7,075,602 |
105,606,000 |
1 |
105,606,000 |
4 minutes (.067 hours) |
Public Cost
The estimated cost to the respondents is $198,116,856. This is based on the estimated burden hours (7,075,602) multiplied (x) the average hourly rate ($28.00).
13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information.
There are no record keeping, capital, start-up or maintenance costs associated with this information collection.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government. Also provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.
The estimated annual cost to the Federal Government associated with the review of these records is $70,967,232. This is based on the number of responses (105,606,000) that must be reviewed (x) the time to review and process each response (1 minute or .016 hours) = 1,689,696 hours (x) the average hourly rate ($42.00) = $70,967,232.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 12 or 13 of this Statement.
The burden hours were increased due to better estimates by CBP with respect to the number of respondents filling out this form. This number was increased from 60,000,000 to 105,606,000 as a result of a CBP data query report. In addition, there was a slight decrease as a result of CBP rounding the time per response from 4 minutes and 5 seconds, down to 4 minutes. We believe 4 minutes is a reasonable estimate to fill out Form 6059-B.
16. For collection of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation, and publication.
This information collection will not be published for statistical purposes.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date, explain the reasons that displaying the expiration date would be inappropriate.
CBP cannot display the expiration date on this form due to the large number that are printed and distributed (over 100 million). Also, millions of these forms are stocked at the ports-of-entry and by airlines.
18. “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”
CBP does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.
No statistical methods were employed.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | Supporting Statement |
| Author | Preferred Customer |
| Last Modified By | Authorized User |
| File Modified | 2009-12-16 |
| File Created | 2009-10-01 |