1651-0061
A. Justification
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.
A port director decides when his or her port needs one or more Centralized Examination Stations (CES). If it is decided that a CES is needed, the port director announces this need and solicits applications to operate a CES. The information contained in the application will be used to determine the suitability of the applicant's facility, the fairness of fee structure, knowledge of cargo handling operations, and of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) procedures. The names of all corporate officers and all employees who will come in contact with uncleared cargo will also be provided so that CBP may perform background investigations. 19 CFR 118.11 requires these applications. The authority for this provision is under 19 USC 1499, Tariff Act of 1930.
This collection of information applies to the importing and trade community who are familiar with import procedures and with the CBP regulations.
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.
The applications for CES's are submitted to the port director for review. The port will review each package, visit each site, and make a selection. The purpose is to choose the operation that can best handle containerized cargo for examination.
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.
Due to the relatively small number of applications submitted on an annual basis (50), it would not be cost effective to automate this application. Also, each submission is unique according to the needs and requirements of the port which would make these submissions difficult to automate. CBP has not received any complaints or comments regarding the manual submission of this application.
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.
6. Describe consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
This information is collected to allow companies to apply to operate Centralized Examination Stations (CES), and to allow port directors to select the best applicant.
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 September 22, 2009 (Volume 74, Page 48280) and on November 25, 2009 (Volume 74, Page 61695). 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 |
APPLICATION FOR CES |
100 |
50 |
1 |
50
|
2 HOURS
|
Public Cost
The estimated cost to the respondents is $2,800. This is based on the estimated burden hours (100) multiplied (x) 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 the information collected is $4,200. This is based on the number of responses (50) that must be reviewed (x) the time to review and process each response (2 hours) = 100 hours (x) the average hourly rate ($42.00) = $4,200.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 12 or 13.
There has been no increase or decrease in the estimated annual burden hours previously reported for this information collection.
16. For collections 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.
There is no form associated with this collection of information, so it would not be appropriate to display an expiration date.
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 | 2009-12-30 |
| File Created | 2009-09-09 |