Supporting Statement
Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT)
1651-0077
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.
The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Program is designed to prevent smugglers from utilizing commercial conveyances for their commodities, and to provide expedited processing to participants in this Program at certain, high-risk locations by prescreening participants. The C-TPAT Program applies to air, land, and sea. This program was mandated by the SAFE Port Act (P.L.109-347).
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 information collected on drivers, and sea and air carriers is to be used by CBP officers to assist in the release of merchandise at certain high‑risk locations to enhance CBP ability to assess the threat of certain commercial transactions more effectively. Respondents provide this information to CBP in order participate in the C-TPAT Program and receive expedited processing at border locations. The information is submitted through an on-line C-TPAT application.
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.
Applicants wishing to be considered for C-TPAT submit their information through an online application. The online application can be found at:
https://ctpat.cbp.dhs.gov/CompanyProfile.aspx
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.
Failure to collect this information would result in CBP to discontinuing the C-TPAT program which would have a negative impact on the trade community by increasing the processing time at ports of entries.
Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:
requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;
requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;
requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;
in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
requiring the use of statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;
that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
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 February 10, 2010 (Volume 75, Page 6678) and on April 15, 2010 (Volume 75, Page 19654). 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 C-TPAT
|
32,500 |
6,500 |
1 |
6,500 |
5 hours
|
Public Cost
The estimated cost to the respondents is $910,000. This is based on the estimated burden hours (32,500) 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 these records is $682,500. This is based on the number of responses (6,500) that must be reviewed (x) the time to review and process each response (2.5 hours) = 16,250 hours (x) the average hourly rate ($42.00) = $682,500.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 12 or 13 of this Statement.
There has been no increase or decrease in the estimated annual burden hours previously reported for this information collection
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 will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection.
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 | 2010-06-09 |
| File Created | 2010-04-07 |