Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection in support of credit account approval for reimbursable services.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 14, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 04-024-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 04-024-1.
• E-mail: Address your comment to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Your comment must be contained in the body of your message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in your message and “Docket No. 04-024-1” on the subject line.
• Agency Web site: Go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/cominst.html for a form you can use to submit an e-mail comment through the APHIS Web site.

Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.

Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of groups and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information regarding credit account approval for reimbursable services, contact Mrs. Kris Caraher, User Fees Section Head, FMD, MRPBS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 54, Riverdale, MD 20737-1232; (301) 734-5743. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Credit Account Approval for Reimbursable Services.

OMB Number: 0579-0055.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: The services of a Federal inspector to clear imported and exported agricultural commodities for animal and plant health purposes are paid for by user fees during regular working hours. If an importer wishes to have shipments cleared at other hours, such services will usually be provided on a reimbursable overtime basis, unless already covered by a user fee. Exporters wishing cargo to be certified during nonworking hours may also utilize this procedure.

Many importers and exporters who require inspection services are repeat customers who request that we bill them. We need to collect certain information to conduct a credit check on prospective applicants to ensure creditworthiness prior to extending credit services and to prepare billings. Also, the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3332), requires that agencies collect tax identification numbers from all persons doing business with the Government for purposes of collecting delinquent debts. APHIS Form 192 is used to collect this information and must be completed before credit is extended.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of this information collection for an additional 3 years.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning this information collection activity. These comments will help us:

(1) Evaluate whether the information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our agency's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.25 hours per response.

Respondents: Importers, exporters, or brokers who wish to set up an account for billing of inspection services provided during nonworking hours.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 256.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

Estimated annual number of responses: 256.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 64 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.)

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.