83 FR 5239 - Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 25 (February 6, 2018)

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) intends to request a revision for a currently approved information collection procedure for Sugar Import Licensing Programs.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5239-5240]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02267]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service


Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces that the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) intends to 
request a revision for a currently approved information collection 
procedure for Sugar Import Licensing Programs.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before April 9, 2018 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments as requested in this 
document. In your comment, include the volume, date, and page number of 
this issue of the Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail, hand delivery, or courier: William Janis, 
International Economist, Import Policies and Programs Division,

[[Page 5240]]

Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 
1021, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-1021;
     Email: [email protected]; or
     Telephone: (202) 720-2194.
    Comments will be available for inspection online at http://www.regulations.gov and at the mail address listed above between 8:00 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    Persons with disabilities who require an alternative means for 
communication of information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, 
etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 
TDD).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Janis, (202) 720-2194, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Sugar Imported for Export as Refined Sugar or as a Sugar-
Containing Product, or used in the Production of Certain Polyhydric 
Alcohols.
    OMB Number: 0551-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2018.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the Sugar Import Licensing 
Program is to permit entry of raw cane sugar, unrestricted by the 
quantitative limit established by the sugar tariff-rate quota, for re-
export in refined form or in a sugar containing product or for the 
production of certain polyhydric alcohols. These programs are in use by 
as many as 250 licensees currently eligible to participate. Under 7 CFR 
part 1530, licensees are required to submit the following: (1) 
``Application for a license'' information required for participation as 
set forth in section 1530.104; (2) ``Regular reporting'' of import, 
export, transfer, or use for charges and credits to licenses under 
section 1530.109; and (3) ``Miscellaneous submission'' of bonds or 
letters of credit under section 1530.107, appeals to determinations by 
the licensing authority under section 1530.112, or requests to the 
licensing authority for waivers under section 1530.113.
    In addition, each participant must maintain records on all program 
reports as set forth in section 1530.110. The information collected is 
used by the licensing authority to manage, plan, evaluate, and account 
for program activities. The reports and records are required to ensure 
the proper operations of these programs.
    Estimate of Burden: (1) ``Application for a license'' would require 
20 hours per response; (2) ``Regular reporting'' would require between 
10 and 15 minutes per transaction with the number of transactions 
varying per respondent; and (3) ``miscellaneous submission'' would 
require between 1 to 2 hours per bond or letter of credit, 2 to 10 
hours per waiver request, and 10 to 100 hours per appeal.
    Respondents: Sugar refiners, manufacturers of sugar containing 
products, and producers of polyhydric alcohol.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 270.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: New/Renew License: 1; 
Regular reporting: 75 transactions, total; Miscellaneous: Bonds/letters 
of credit: 1; Waiver requests: 1; Appeals: 1.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours on Respondents: 1,653 hours.
    Request for Comments: We are requesting comments on all aspects of 
this information collection to help us to: (1) Evaluate whether the 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
FAS's functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of FAS's estimate of burden 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) 
Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information 
on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Copies of this 
information collection can be obtained from Connie Ehrhart, the Agency 
Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 690-1578 or email at 
[email protected].
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office 
of Management and Budget approval.

E-Government Act Compliance

    FAS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote 
the use of the internet and other information technologies to provide 
increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information 
and services, and for other purposes.

    Dated: January 29, 2018.
Bobby Richey, Jr.,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02267 Filed 2-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-10-P