[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50432-50433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18663]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 4801]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-1504, 
Request for Customs Clearance of Merchandise, OMB Control Number 1405-
0104

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in 
the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting 
this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
     Title of Information Collection: Request for Customs 
Clearance of Merchandise.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0104.
     Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved 
collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office 
of Foreign Missions, Diplomatic Tax and Customs Program, DS/OFM/VTC/TC.
     Form Number: DS-1504.
     Respondents: Eligible foreign diplomatic or consular 
missions, certain foreign government organizations, and designated 
international organizations.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 350.
     Estimated Number of Responses: Approximately 13,200.
     Average Hours Per Response: Fifteen minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden: 3,300 hours.
     Frequency: On occasion.
     Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain a 
benefit.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 
October 15, 2004.
    You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]. You must include the DS form 
number, information collection title, and OMB control number in the 
subject line of your message.
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Office of 
Foreign Missions, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20520.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection and 
supporting documents, to Mr. Robert Kelley, DS/OFM/VTC/TC, 3507 
International Place, NW., U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 
20008, who may be reached on (202) 895-3683, or by E-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit 
the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
technology.
    Abstract of proposed collection: Exemption from customs duties is a 
privilege enjoyed by foreign diplomatic

[[Page 50433]]

and consular personnel on assignment in the United States under the 
provisions of the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular 
Relations and the terms of various bilateral agreements. Under the 
Foreign Missions Act of 1982 (as amended), 22 U.S.C. 4301 et seq., the 
Department of State's Office of Foreign Missions (``OFM'') is given the 
authority to grant privileges and benefits, based on reciprocity. The 
application form DS-1504, ``Request for Customs Clearance of 
Merchandise'' provides OFM with the necessary information to provide 
and administer the benefit effectively and efficiently.
    Methodology: The collected information is used by the Office of 
Foreign Missions (OFM) in determining the eligibility of foreign 
diplomatic and consular missions and personnel for exemption from 
duties otherwise imposed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(``CBP'') on imported goods. In some cases, the reciprocal relationship 
between the United States and other nations requires that some type of 
duty or restriction on importation be imposed. The information on this 
form provides the basis upon which to determine, in cooperation with 
CBP, the proper handling of diplomatic shipments.

    Dated: August 2, 2004.
Lynwood M. Dent, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Director, Office of Foreign 
Missions, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-18663 Filed 8-13-04; 8:45 am]
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