[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56867-56868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24172]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Economic Analysis


Ocean Freight Revenues and Expenses of United States Carriers--
BE-30 U.S. Airline Operators' Foreign Revenues and Expenses--BE-37

ACTION: Extension of a currently approved collection; comment request.

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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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 20, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 or via the 
Internet at [email protected].

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 these surveys are 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 these surveys, an integral component of the transportation 
account would be omitted. No other Government agency

[[Page 56868]]

collects comprehensive quarterly data on U.S. ocean carriers' freight 
revenues and expenses or U.S. airline operators' foreign revenues and 
expenses.
    These surveys request information from U.S. ocean and air carriers 
engaged in the international transportation of goods and/or passengers. 
Information is collected on a quarterly basis from U.S. ocean and air 
carriers with total annual covered revenues and total annual covered 
expenses, each over $500,000. U.S. ocean and air carriers with total 
annual covered revenues and expenses below $500,000 are exempt from 
reporting.

II. Method of Collection

    Mandatory reports are received from U.S. ocean and air carriers who 
provide data regarding their revenues and expenses resulting from 
international transportation. 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: 0608-0011.
    Form Number: BE-30/BE-37.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or Other For-Profit Organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 39/23.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 hours/4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 780 hours/368 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: For the survey of U.S. ocean carriers, 
the estimated annual cost to the Federal Government is $22,000 and to 
the public $23,400. For the survey of U.S. airline operators, the 
estimated annual cost to the Federal Government is $18,000 and to the 
public $11,040. The estimated annual cost to the public is 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 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 submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: September 15, 2000.
Madeleine Clayton,
DOC Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information Officer
[FR Doc. 00-24172 Filed 9-19-00; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE EA-3510-06