[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 21, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72211-72212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27552]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Foreign-Trade Zone Applications

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before February 22, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
email to Juanita Chen, Senior Foreign Trade Zones Analyst, 
International Trade Administration, or by email to 
[email protected] or [email protected]. Please reference OMB 
Control Number 0625-0139 in the subject line of your comments. Do not 
submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Christopher Kemp, Office of Foreign-Trade Zones, (202)482-0862 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Foreign-Trade Zone Application is the vehicle by which 
individual firms or organizations apply for foreign-trade zone (FTZ) 
status, for subzone status, production authority, modifications of 
existing zones, or for waivers. The FTZ Act and Regulations (19 U.S.C. 
81b and 81f; 15 CFR 400.21-25, 43(f)) set forth the requirements for 
applications and other requests to the FTZ Board. The Act and 
Regulations require that applications for new or modified zones contain 
information on facilities, financing, operational plans, proposed 
production operations, need for FTZ authority, and economic impact, 
where applicable. Any request involving production authority requires 
specific information on the foreign status components and finished 
products involved. Applications for production activity can involve 
issues related to domestic industry and trade policy impact. Such 
applications must include specific information on the customs-tariff 
related savings that result from zone procedures and the economic 
consequences of permitting such savings. The FTZ Board needs complete 
and accurate information on the proposed operation and its economic 
effects because the Act and Regulations authorize the Board to restrict 
or prohibit operations that are detrimental to the public interest. The 
Regulations (15 CFR 400.43(f)) also require specific information for 
applications requesting waivers by parties impacted by 400.43(d). This 
information is necessary to assess the likelihood of the proposed 
activity resulting in a violation of the uniform treatment provisions 
of the FTZ Act and Regulations.

II. Method of Collection

    U.S. firms or organizations submit applications by email to the 
office of Foreign-Trade Zones.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0625-0139.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal government, or not-for-
profit institutions applying for foreign-trade zone status, subzone 
status, modification of existing zones, production authority, or 
waivers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 288.
    Estimated Time per Response: 3.5 to 131.0 hours (dependent on the 
type of application).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,521.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $123,000.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: The Foreign-Trade Zones Act of 1934, as amended 
(19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), administered through the FTZ Regulations (15 CFR 
part 400) and CBP Regulations (19 CFR part 146).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that

[[Page 72212]]

your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--
may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in 
your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from 
public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2021-27552 Filed 12-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P