Proposed Collection; Comment Request; NAFTA Regulations and Certificate of Origin

AGENCY:

Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning the NAFTA Regulations and Certificate of Origin. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (70 FR 58456) on October 6, 2005, allowing for a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)).

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before February 17, 2006 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Tracey Denning, Information Services Group, Room 3.2.C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information should be directed to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Attn.: Tracey Denning, Room 3.2.C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229, Tel. (202) 344-1429.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments should address: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology; and (e) the annual costs burden to respondents or record keepers from the collection of information (a total capital/startup costs and operations and maintenance costs). The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the CBP request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. In this document the CBP is soliciting comments concerning the following information collection:

Title: NAFTA Regulations and Certificate of Origin.

OMB Number: 1651-0098.

Form Number: CBP Forms 434 and 446.

Abstract: The objectives of NAFTA are to eliminate barriers to trade in goods and services between the United States, Mexico, and Canada; facilitate conditions of fair competition within the free trade area; liberalize significantly conditions for investments within the free trade area; establish effective procedures for the joint administration of the NAFTA; and the resolution of disputes.

Current Actions: There are no changes to the information collection. This submission is being submitted to extend the expiration date.

Type of Review: Extension.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 120,050.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30,037.

Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: N/A.