Statement 2016 1651-0014

Supporting Statement

Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles

1651-0014

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 statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

19 U.S.C. 1498 provides that when personal and household effects enter the United States but do not accompany the owner or importer on his/her arrival in the country, a declaration is made on CBP Form 3299, Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. The information on this form is needed to support a claim for duty-free entry for these effects. This form is provided for by 19 CFR 148.6, 148.52, 148.53 and 148.77. CBP Form 3299 is accessible at: http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%203299.pdf.

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 Uses the information on Form 3299 to verify that the goods and/or effects are eligible for duty-free entry.

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 automation of CBP Form 3299 is not practical because the owner must be present to answer questions related to the declaration.

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.

There is no specific consequence to the Federal government if the information were collected less frequently. However, CBP Form 3299 is required for an owner to claim duty-free entry of personal and household goods, and is therefore a benefit to respondents.

7. Explain any special circumstances.

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 26, 2016 (Volume 81, Page 9870) on which no comments were received, and on June 14, 2016 (Volume 81, Page 38728) on which no comments have been 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.

A PIA for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) dated July 31, 2015, and a SORN for the Import Information System, dated August 17, 2015 (Vol. 80, Page 49256) will be included in this ICR. No assurances of confidentiality are provided to respondents.

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
Form 3299	112,500	150,000	1	150,000	45 minutes (.75 hours)

Public Cost

The estimated cost to the respondents is $3,314,250. This is based on the estimated burden hours (112,500) multiplied by (x) the average loaded hourly wage rate for importers ($29.46). CBP calculated this loaded wage rate by multiplying the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) 2014 median hourly wage rate for Cargo and Freight Agents ($19.89), which CBP assumes best represents the wage for importers, by the ratio of BLS’ average 2014 total compensation to wages and salaries for Office and Administrative Support occupations (1.4813), the assumed occupational group for importers, to account for non-salary employee benefits.^1,2

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 $1,372,986. This is based on the number of responses that must be reviewed (150,000) multiplied by (x) the time burden to review and process each response (.166 hours) = 24,900 hours multiplied by (x) the average hourly loaded rate for a CBP Officer ($55.14)³ = $1,372,986.

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. There is no change to the information collected or to CBP Form 3299.

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.

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

No statistical methods were employed.

1 Source of median wage rate: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Occupational Employment Statistics, “May 2014 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, United States- Median Hourly Wage by Occupation Code: 43-5011.”  Updated March 25, 2015.  Available at http://www.bls.gov/oes/2014/may/oes435011.htm. Accessed June 15, 2015. 

2 The total compensation to wages and salaries ratio is equal to the calculated average of the 2014 quarterly estimates (shown under Mar., June, Sep., Dec.) of the total compensation cost per hour worked for Office and Administrative Support occupations (24.66) divided by the calculated average of the 2014 quarterly estimates (shown under Mar., June, Sep., Dec.) of wages and salaries cost per hour worked for the same occupation category (16.6475). Source of total compensation to wages and salaries ratio data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employer Costs for Employee Compensation. Employer Costs for Employee Compensation Historical Listing March 2004 – December 2015, “Table 3. Civilian workers, by occupational group: employer costs per hours worked for employee compensation and costs as a percentage of total compensation, 2004-2015 by Respondent Type: Office and administrative support occupations.” June 10, 2015. Available at http://www.bls.gov/ncs/ect/sp/ececqrtn.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2015.

3 CBP bases this wage on the salary and benefits of the national average of CBP Officer positions, which is equal to a GS-12, Step 4. Source: Email correspondence with CBP’s Office of Administration on June 25, 2015.

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