[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54354-54355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18247]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 050714187-5187-01]


Annual Wholesale Trade Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Determination.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is conducting the 
Annual Wholesale Trade Survey. The Census Bureau has determined that it 
needs to collect data covering annual sales; e-commerce sales; and 
year-end inventories, purchases, commissions, and operating expenses. 
These data are important inputs to the Bureau of Economic Analysis's 
(BEA) preparation of National Income and Products Accounts and its 
annual input-output tables.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John R. Trimble, Chief, Annual 
Wholesale and Special Projects Branch, Service Sector Statistics 
Division, on (301) 763-7223 or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Annual Wholesale Trade Survey is a 
continuation of similar wholesale trade surveys conducted each year 
since 1978 for distributors, and since 2003, for manufacturers' sales 
branches and offices (MSBOs). This survey provides, on a comparable 
classification basis, annual sales, e-commerce sales, purchases, 
commissions and operating expenses, and year-end inventories for 2004. 
These data are not available publicly on a timely basis from 
nongovernmental or other governmental sources.
    The Census Bureau will require a selected sample of firms operating 
wholesale establishments in the United States (with sales size 
determining the probability of selection) to report in the 2005 Annual 
Wholesale Trade Survey. We will furnish report forms to the firms 
covered by this survey and will require their submission within 30 days 
after receipt. The sample will provide, with measurable reliability, 
statistics on the subjects specified above.
    The Census Bureau is authorized to take surveys that are necessary 
to furnish current data on the subject covered by the censuses 
authorized by Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182, 224, and 225. 
This survey will provide continuing and timely national statistics data 
on wholesale trade for the period between economic censuses. For 2005, 
the survey will, as it has in the past for distributors and MSBOs, 
operate as a separate sample of wholesale companies. The data collected 
in this survey will be similar to that collected in the past and within 
the general scope and nature of those inquiries covered in the economic 
census. The data collected in this survey will provide a sound 
statistical basis for the formation of policy by various government 
agencies. These data also apply to a variety of public and business 
needs.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number. In

[[Page 54355]]

accordance with the PRA, Title 44, United States Code, Chapter 35, OMB 
approved this survey under OMB control number 0607-0195. We will 
furnish report forms to organizations included in the survey. 
Additional copies are available on written request to the Director, 
U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0101.
    Based upon the foregoing, I have directed that an annual survey be 
conducted for the purpose of collecting these data.

    Dated: September 9, 2005.
Charles Louis Kincannon,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 05-18247 Filed 9-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P