[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79274-79275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28117]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service


Notice of a Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice 
announces the Foreign Agricultural Service's intention to request an 
extension of a currently approved information collection relating to 
the issuance of certificates of quota eligibility (CQEs) required to 
enter sugar and sugar-containing products under tariff-rate quotas 
(TRQs) into the United States.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by no later than 
February 27, 2023 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) Control Number 0551-0014, by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
This portal enables respondents to enter short comments or attach a 
file containing lengthier comments.
     Email: [email protected]. Include OMB Control number 
0551-0014 in the subject line of the message.
     Mail, hand delivery, or courier: William Janis, 
Multilateral Affairs Division, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs, 
Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 
5550, Stop 1070, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-1070.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency 
names and OMB Control Number for this notice. All comments received 
will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including 
any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [email protected], 202-720-2194, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Certificates of Quota Eligibility.
    OMB Number: 0551-0014.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2023.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Additional U.S. note 5 to Chapter 17 of the Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), established by Presidential 
Proclamation 6763 of December 1994, authorizes the Secretary of 
Agriculture to establish for each fiscal year the quantity of sugars, 
syrups, and molasses that may be entered at the lower tariff rates of 
TRQs established under the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade 
negotiations as reflected in the provisions of Schedule XX (United 
States), annexed to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World 
Trade Organization (WTO).
    Pursuant to 15 CFR part 2011, Allocation of Tariff-Rate Quota on 
Imported Sugars, Syrups, and Molasses, Subpart A--Certificate of Quota 
Eligibility, CQEs are issued to foreign countries that have been 
allocated a share of the WTO sugar TRQ. This regulation provides for 
the issuance of CQEs by the Secretary of Agriculture and in general 
prohibits sugar entered under the WTO TRQ from being imported into the 
United States or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption at the in-
quota duty rates unless such sugar is accompanied by a valid CQE.
    In addition, CQEs are required for the import of sugar into the 
United States under the sugar TRQs established under the U.S.--
Colombia, U.S.--Panama, and U.S.--Peru Trade Promotion Agreements, as 
set forth in 19 U.S.C. 3805.
    CQEs for the aforementioned WTO and free trade agreement (FTA) 
sugar TRQs are distributed to foreign countries by the Senior Director 
of the Multilateral Affairs Division, Foreign Agriculture Service, or 
designee. The distribution of CQEs is in such amounts and at such times 
as the Senior Director determines are appropriate to enable the foreign 
country to fill its quota allocation for such quota period in a 
reasonable manner, taking into account harvesting periods, U.S. import 
requirements, and other relevant factors. The information required to 
be collected on the CQE is used to monitor and control the imports of 
products subject to the WTO and FTA sugar TRQs. A valid CQE, duly 
executed and issued by the Certifying Authority of the foreign country, 
is required for eligibility to enter the products into U.S. customs 
territory under the TRQs.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for the collection 
directly varies with the number of CQEs issued.
    Type of Respondents: Foreign governments.
    Estimated Number of WTO Respondents: 30.
    Estimated Number of FTA Respondents: 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 124.
    Estimated Total Annual Reporting Burden: 3,968 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Dacia 
Rogers, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at 
[email protected].
    Request for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information 
including validity of the methodology and assumption used; (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 those who are to respond, including through the use of 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be available without change, including any personal 
information provided, for inspection online at http://www.regulations.gov and at the mail address listed above between 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for OMB 
approval.
    Persons with disabilities who require an alternative means for 
communication of information (Braille, large print,

[[Page 79275]]

audiotape, etc.) should contact [email protected] or 
Felice Robinson (Senior Reasonable Accommodations Specialist), 
[email protected].

Daniel Whitley,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-28117 Filed 12-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P