Comments Seeks Comments on Changes to Surveys for Ocean Carriers and U.S. Airlines

The Department of Commerce is seeking comments on changes to Form BE-30, Ocean Freight Revenues and Foreign Expenses of United States Carriers, and Form BE-37, U.S. Airline Operators’ Foreign Revenues and Expenses. There are two significant changes to the ocean freight revenues survey: (1) A question has been added to collect data on fuel expenses in foreign ports explicitly (fuel expenses are currently reported indistinguishably within total expenses in foreign ports); and (2) The due date for the survey has been changed to 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter (from 50 days). Major changes to the U.S. airline operators' foreign revenue survey include: (a) fuel expenses will be collected separately; (b) two questions have been added to collect data on the number of passengers transported to/from the United States and the revenues associated with these passengers; and (c) the due date for the survey has been changed to 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter (from 50 days). Comments are due by Sept. 11.