[Federal Register: August 3, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 148)] [Notices] [Page 41322] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03au98-129] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Customs Service Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Automated Commercial System Surety Data Element Enhancements ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, Customs invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning the enhancement of Surety Data Elements collected by the Customs Automated Commercial System (ACS) by the addition of two new data elements. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). DATES: Written comments should be received on or before October 2, 1998, to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to U.S. Customs Service, Information Services Group, Attn.: J. Edgar Nichols, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 3.2C Washington, DC 20229. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be directed to U.S. Customs Service, Attn.: J. Edgar Nichols, Room 3.2C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20229, Tel. (202) 927-1426; or to Mr. Byron Kissane, Room 5.2C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20229, Tel. (202) 927-0380. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At the request of the American Surety Trade Association, the Customs Service proposes to add two additional data elements to the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) module of ACS. These new data elements are bond amount and producer account number. The new data elements, which are each ten characters in length, shall be captured in the ABI environment only and will not be entered on-line by Customs field personnel for non-ABI entry summary transactions. Additionally, these new data elements will be added to the Automated Surety Interface download. This will facilitate the surety accounting procedures. Customs invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments should address: (a) whether the 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 estimates of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operations, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the Customs request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. In this document Customs is soliciting comments concerning the following information collection: Title: Entry and Entry Summary (Electronic Record). OMB Number: 1515-0065. Form Number: Customs Form 7501 and Electronic Record A-40. Abstract: Customs Form 7501 and Electronic Record A-40 are used by Customs as a record of the impact transaction, to collect proper duty, taxes, exactions, certifications and enforcement endorsements, and to provide copies to Census for statistical purposes. Current Actions: This change will add two data elements to the electronic record only. There are no other changes to the information collection. Type of Review: Extension (with change). Affected Public: Businesses, Individuals, Institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 600,000. Estimated Time Per Respondent: 5 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50,000. Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: N/A. Dated: July 24, 1998. J. Edgar Nichols, Team Leader, Information Services Group. [FR Doc. 98-20624 Filed 7-31-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4820-02-P