Notice2021-18630
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Services Surveys: BE-29, Annual Survey of Foreign Ocean Carriers' Expenses in the United States
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 30, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentEconomic Analysis Bureau
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 165 (Monday, August 30, 2021)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 165 (Monday, August 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48391-48392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18630]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Services Surveys: BE-29, Annual Survey of Foreign Ocean
Carriers' Expenses in the United States
AGENCY: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before October 29, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Christopher Stein, Chief, Services Surveys Branch, Bureau of Economic
Analysis, by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#22414a504b51564d524a47500c5156474b4c624047430c454d54"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="513239233822253e213934237f222534383f113334307f363e27">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1747455674787a7a727963645773787439707861"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2f7f7d6e4c4042424a415b5c6f4b404c01484059">[email protected]</span></a>.
Please reference OMB Control Number 0608-0012 in the subject line of
your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Christopher Stein, Chief, Services Surveys Branch, Bureau of
Economic Analysis, 301-278-9189, or via email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#06656e746f757269766e6374287572636f684664636728616970"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dcbfb4aeb5afa8b3acb4b9aef2afa8b9b5b29cbeb9bdf2bbb3aa">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Annual Survey of Foreign Ocean Carriers' Expenses in the United
States (BE-29) collects data from U.S. agents of foreign ocean carriers
that handled 40 or more foreign ocean carrier port calls during the
year, or had total covered expenses of $250,000 or more during the year
for all foreign ocean vessels handled by the U.S. agent.
The data are needed monitor trade in transport services, to analyze
the impact of U.S. trade on the U.S. and foreign economies, to compile
and improve the U.S. economic accounts, to support U.S. commercial
policy on trade in transport services, to conduct trade promotion, and
to improve the ability of U.S. businesses to identify and evaluate
market opportunities. The data are used in estimating the transport
services component of the U.S. international transactions accounts
(ITAs) and national income and product accounts (NIPAs).
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is proposing no additions or
modifications to the information collected on the current BE-29. The
language in the instructions and definitions will be reviewed and
adjusted as necessary to clarify survey requirements.
BEA proposes to change the due date of the survey to 45 days after
the close of each year from 90 days, beginning with the reporting
period for the 2021 year, which will be collected in 2022. Shortening
the reporting timeline will allow BEA to produce more accurate and
complete trade in transport services statistics in the ITAs, which is
critical information for policymakers' timely decisions on
international trade policy. The earlier due date will allow BEA to
validate the data and integrate it into the statistics in time for the
annual update of the ITAs, improving the accuracy of both the
aggregates and the country detail and reducing revisions in subsequent
statistical releases.
BEA estimates there will be no change in the average number of
burden hours per response, which is currently estimated to be 3 hours.
The language in the instructions and definitions will be reviewed and
adjusted as necessary to clarify survey requirements.
II. Method of Collection
BEA contacts potential respondents by mail in December of the
preceding year. Respondents would be required to file the completed BE-
29 forms within 45 days after the end of the year. Reports will be
required from U.S. agents of foreign ocean carriers that handled 40 or
more foreign ocean carrier port calls during the year or had covered
expenses of $250,000 or more during the year for all foreign ocean
vessels handled by the U.S. agent. Entities required to report will be
contacted individually by BEA. Entities not contacted by BEA have no
reporting responsibilities.
BEA offers its electronic filing option, the eFile system, for use
in reporting on Form BE-29. For more information about eFile, go to
<a href="http://www.bea.gov/efile">www.bea.gov/efile</a>. In addition, BEA posts all its survey forms and
reporting instructions on its website, <a href="http://www.bea.gov/ssb">www.bea.gov/ssb</a>. These may
[[Page 48392]]
be downloaded, completed, printed, and submitted via fax or mail.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0608-0012.
Form Number(s): BE-29.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: U.S. agents of foreign ocean carriers.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 80 annually (70 reporting
mandatory data, and 10 that would file exemption claims or voluntary
responses).
Estimated Time per Response: 3 hours is the average for those
reporting data and one hour is the average for those filing an
exemption claim. Hours may vary considerably among respondents because
of differences in company size and complexity.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 220.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: International Investment and Trade in Services
Survey Act (Pub. L. 94-472, 22 U.S.C. 3101-3108, as amended).
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the Agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2021-18630 Filed 8-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 30, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.