CBP Seeks Comments on DR-CAFTA Regs Info Collection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is requesting comments by April 6, 2012 on an existing information collection on the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) regulations. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with a change to the burden hours. The estimated number of responses was lowered from 10,000 to 3,000 based on revised estimates by CBP. The time per response was increased from 24 minutes to 2 hours based on public comments that CBP received. There is no change to the information being collected.
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CBP May Request Certification & Docs to Determine Eligibility for DR-CAFTA Preferential Treatment
On August 5, 2004, the U.S. entered into the DR-CAFTA with Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The Agreement was approved by Congress in section 101(a) of the DR-CAFTA Implementation Act (P.L. 109--53), as amended, and provides for preferential tariff treatment of certain goods originating in one or more of the DR-CAFTA countries. It was signed into law on August 2, 2005, and the president proclaimed the implementation dates as follows: El Salvador (03/01/06), Honduras (04/01/06), Nicaragua (04/01/04), Guatemala (07/01/06), Dominican Republic (03/01/07) and Costa Rica (01/01/09).
In order to ascertain if DR-CAFTA imported goods are eligible for preferential tariff treatment, a certification and supporting documents may be requested by CBP. This information collection is provided for by 19 CFR 10.583 - 10.592 (available here). Guidance on filing claims under DR-CAFTA may be found here.
CBP Estimates 1,000 Respondents, 2 Hours per Response
CBP estimates there will be 1,000 respondents with 3 responses per respondent. The time per response is estimated to be 2 hours. CBP estimates the total annual burden hours will be 6,000.
Comments Requested on Ways to Minimize Burden, Etc.
CBP is asking for comments from the general public and other Federal agencies on (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).
CBP Contact -- Tracey Denning (202) 325-0265
(FR Pub 03/07/12)