[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38255-38256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18867]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Economic Analysis


Survey of Foreign Ocean Carriers' Expenses in the United States--
BE-29

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 15, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. Phone 
number: (202) 482-3272.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Michael Mann, Chief, Current Account Services Branch, 
Room 8018, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC 20230; phone: (202) 606-9573; and fax: (202) 606-5314.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Bureau of Economic Analysis is responsible for the computation 
and publication of the U.S. balance of payments accounts. The 
information collected in this survey is an integral part of the 
``transportation'' portion of the U.S. balance of payments accounts. 
The balance of payments accounts, which are published quarterly in the 
Bureau's monthly publication, the Survey of Current Business, are one 
of the major statistical products of BEA. The accounts provide a 
statistical summary of U.S. international transactions. They are used 
by government and private organizations for national and international 
policy formulation, and analytical studies. Without the information 
collected in this survey, an integral component of the transportation 
account would be omitted. No other Government agency collects 
comprehensive annual data on foreign ocean carriers' expenses in the 
United States.
    The survey requests information from U.S. agents of foreign ocean 
carriers. Information is collected on an annual basis from U.S. agents 
that handle 40 or more port calls by foreign vessels or have annual 
total covered expenses above $250,000. U.S. agents with less than 40 
port calls or with annual total covered expenses below $250,000 are 
exempt from reporting.

II. Method of Collection

    Mandatory reports are received from U.S. shipping agents who 
provide data regarding the expenses of foreign ocean carriers' in the 
United States. Submission of the completed report form, or computer 
printouts in the format of the report form, are the most expedient and 
economical methods of reporting the information.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0608-0012.
    Form Number: BE-29.
    Type of Review: Extension-regular submission.
    Affected Public: U.S. agents of foreign ocean carriers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 155.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 620 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated annual cost to the 
Federal Government is $33,000. The estimated annual cost to the public 
is $18,600 based on an estimated total annual burden hours and an 
estimated hourly cost of $30.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory

    Legal Authority: The International Investment and Trade in 
Services Act, 22 U.S.C. 3101-3108.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the continued 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 estimate of burden (including 
hours and cost) of the continued 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 submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection;

[[Page 38256]]

they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 14, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-18867 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-EA-P