CBP Announces Another 30 Days to Comment on Part 111 Broker Info Collection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is announcing an additional 30 day comment period for the proposed extension of its existing CBP Regulations Pertaining to Customs Brokers (19 CFR Part 111), and CBP Forms 3124 and 3124E information collection, which it plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval.

Comments on the proposed extension are due by February 2, 2011. This submission to OMB is being made to extend the expiration date with no change to the burden hours or to this collection of information.

Information in 19 CFR Part 111 Governs Licensing, Conduct of CHBs

The information contained in 19 CFR Part 111 governs the licensing and conduct of customs brokers. Specifically, an individual who wishes to take the broker exam would complete CBP Form 3124E, “Application for Customs Broker License Exam”; or to apply for a broker license, CBP Form 3124, “Application for Customs Broker License” must be completed. The procedures to request a local or national broker permit can be found in 19 CFR 111.19, and a triennial report is required under 19 CFR 111.30. The information collected from customs brokers is provided for by 19 USC 1641.

CBP Estimates 3800 Triennials are Filed, 500 National Permit Apps Each Year

According to CBP, businesses and individuals are affected by CBP’s regulations pertaining to customs brokers.

For CBP Form 3124E, CBP estimates the number of respondents and annual responses to be 2,300. CBP estimates the time per response will be 1 hour and the estimated total annual burden hours will be 2,300.

For CBP Form 3124, CBP estimates the number of respondents and annual responses to be 300. CBP estimates the time per response will be 1 hour and the estimated total annual burden hours will be 300.

For the triennial report, CBP estimates the number of respondents and annual responses to be 3,833. CBP estimates the time per response will be .5 hours and the estimated total annual burden hours will be 1,917.

For the national broker permit application, CBP estimates the number of respondents and annual responses to be 500. CBP estimates the time per response will be 1 hour and the estimated total annual burden hours will be 500.

Comments Requested on Reducing Burden of Part 111 Info Collection

CBP is asking for comments from the general public and other federal agencies on (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimates of the burden of the collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/01/10 news, 10110138, for BP summary of CBP's initial request for comments on this information collection. The initial comment period was scheduled to end on 01/03/11.)