[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 41322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20624]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service


Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Automated Commercial System 
Surety Data Element Enhancements

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and 
respondent burden, Customs invites the general public and other Federal 
agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning 
the enhancement of Surety Data Elements collected by the Customs 
Automated Commercial System (ACS) by the addition of two new data 
elements. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 
3505(c)(2)).

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before October 2, 
1998, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to U.S. Customs Service, 
Information Services Group, Attn.: J. Edgar Nichols, 1300 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW, Room 3.2C Washington, DC 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to U.S. Customs Service, Attn.: J. Edgar Nichols, 
Room 3.2C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20229, Tel. 
(202) 927-1426; or to Mr. Byron Kissane, Room 5.2C, 1300 Pennsylvania 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20229, Tel. (202) 927-0380.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At the request of the American Surety Trade 
Association, the Customs Service proposes to add two additional data 
elements to the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) module of ACS. These 
new data elements are bond amount and producer account number. The new 
data elements, which are each ten characters in length, shall be 
captured in the ABI environment only and will not be entered on-line by 
Customs field personnel for non-ABI entry summary transactions. 
Additionally, these new data elements will be added to the Automated 
Surety Interface download. This will facilitate the surety accounting 
procedures. Customs 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) 
estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operations, 
maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. The 
comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the 
Customs request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record. In this document 
Customs is soliciting comments concerning the following information 
collection:
    Title: Entry and Entry Summary (Electronic Record).
    OMB Number: 1515-0065.
    Form Number: Customs Form 7501 and Electronic Record A-40.
    Abstract: Customs Form 7501 and Electronic Record A-40 are used by 
Customs as a record of the impact transaction, to collect proper duty, 
taxes, exactions, certifications and enforcement endorsements, and to 
provide copies to Census for statistical purposes.
    Current Actions: This change will add two data elements to the 
electronic record only. There are no other changes to the information 
collection.
    Type of Review: Extension (with change).
    Affected Public: Businesses, Individuals, Institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 600,000.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50,000.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: N/A.

    Dated: July 24, 1998.
J. Edgar Nichols,
Team Leader, Information Services Group.
[FR Doc. 98-20624 Filed 7-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P