CBP Requests Comments on Reducing Burden of CBP Form 28s, Etc.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is asking for comments by January 18, 2011 on an existing information collection, the CBP Form 28 (Request for Information).
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Form 28 is Used to Obtain More Information on Imported Goods
The CBP Form 28 is used on occasions when the invoice or other documentation does not provice sufficient information for appraisement or classification. The form is completed by CBP personnel requesting additonal information, and the importers, or their agents, respond in the format of their choice.
An Estimated 60,000 Importers/Agents Respond to the Forms
CBP stated that businesses are affected by this form and that the estimated number of respondents is 60,000. In addition, the estimated time to complete the form per respondent is one hour, for an estimated total of 60,000 burden hours.
Comments Requested on Ways to Minimize Form 28's Time and Cost Burdens
CBP is asking for comments from the general public and other federal agencies on (1) whether this form is necessary for the function of CBP, including whether the information has practical utility, (2) the accuracy of CBP's time estimates for completing the form, (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information that it collects, (4) ways to minimize the burden, including the use of automated collection techniques, and (5) the annual cost burden to respondents.
According to CBP, any comments will be summarized and included in CBP's request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the form. CBP is requesting that use of the CBP Form 28 be approved without change. In addition, no change in the burden hours is being proposed.
CBP Working to Fix Portal to Allow Responses to ACS and ACE Form 28s, Etc.
On October 31, 2010, CBP updated ACE capabilities related to Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR), including a new ability to respond to ACS, as well as ACE, CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/29/10 news, 10102908, for BP summary.)
However, CBP recently stated that this new feature is not working properly yet, and until notified otherwise, users should respond to these forms by mail. (See ITT's Online Archives or 11/16/10 news, 10111603, for BP summary.)
(On October 6, 2010, CBP issued an email indicating that new compliance measurement (CM) guidelines and this October 31, 2010 ACE update would place additional requirements on CBP import specialists. The email, which was not intended for public viewing, had expected that there would be more CM summary reviews and more CBP Form 28s issued as a result of the two changes. See ITT's Online Archives or 11/03/10 news, 10110315, for BP summary.)