1651-0030 July 2014

Supporting Statement

Declaration of Unaccompanied Articles

1651-0030

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

CBP Form 255, Declaration of Unaccompanied Articles, is completed by travelers arriving in the United States with a parcel or container which is to be sent from an insular possession at a later date. It is the only means whereby the CBP officer, when the person arrives, can apply the exemptions or 5 percent flat rate of duty to all of the traveler's purchases.

A person purchasing articles in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands of the United States receives a sales slip, invoice, or other evidence of purchase which is presented to the CBP officer along with CBP Form 255, which is prepared in triplicate. The CBP officer verifies the information, indicates on the form whether the article or articles were free of duty, or dutiable at the flat rate and validates the form. Two copies of the form are returned to the traveler, who sends one form to the vendor. Upon receipt of the form the vendor places it in an envelope, affixed to the outside of the package, and clearly marks the package "Unaccompanied Tourist Shipment," and sends the package to the traveler, generally via mail, although it could be sent by other means. If sent through the mail, the package is examined by CBP and forwarded to the Postal Service for delivery. Any duties due are collected by the mail carrier. If the shipment arrives by means other than through the mail, the traveler is notified by the carrier when the article arrives. Entry is made by the carrier or the traveler at the customhouse. Any duties due are collected at that time.

CBP Form 255 is authorized by Sections 202 & 203 of Public Law 95-410 and provided for 19 CFR 148.110, 148.113, 148.114, 148.115 and 148.116. A sample of this form may be viewed at: http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%20255.pdf

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

CBP uses this form to ensure that mailed articles are accorded the appropriate duty exemption and to ensure the safety and security of those operating the conveyance.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

CBP Form 255 is completed by respondents while they are in-transit on conveyances such as airplanes. Also this form is presented to the CBP officer at the port of arrival for verification and signature, and a copy is sent to the vendor who affixes if to the package, so it would be difficult to automate this process.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

This information is not duplicated elsewhere.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

This information collection does not have an impact on small businesses or other small entities.

6. Describe consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.

If this information were conducted less frequently, the traveling public would not receive the personal duty exemptions and CBP might not be aware if there were a potentially dangerous item being transported.

7. Explain any special circumstances.

This information is collected in a manner consistent with the guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Public comments were solicited through two Federal Register notices including a 60-day notice published on April 1, 2014 (Volume 79, Page 18304) on which no comments were received, and a 30-day notice published on June 12, 2014 (Volume 79, Page 33772) on which no comments have been received.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There is no offer of a monetary or material value for this information collection.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

A SORN for the Automated Commercial System, dated December 19, 2008, (73 FR 77759) will be submitted with this ICR. There is no assurance of confidentiality provided to the respondents for this collection of information.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

INFORMATION COLLECTION	TOTAL ANNUAL BURDEN HOURS	NO. OF RESPONDENTS	NO. OF RESPONSES PER RESPONDENT	TOTAL RESPONSES	TIME PER RESPONSE
CBP Form 255	1,250	7,500	2	15,000	5 minutes (.0833 hours)

Public Cost

The estimated cost to the respondents is $52,625. This is based on the estimated burden hours (1,250) multiplied (x) the average hourly rate for air passengers ($42.10).

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government. Also provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The estimated annual cost to the Federal Government associated with the review of these records is $145,192. This is based on the number of responses (15,000) that must be reviewed (x) the time to review and process each response (.166 hours) = 2,490 hours (x) the average hourly rate ($58.31) = $145,192.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 12 or 13.

There has been no increase or decrease in the estimated annual burden hours previously reported for this information collection. There are no changes to the information being collected.

16. For collection of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation, and publication.

This information collection will not be published for statistical purposes.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date, explain the reasons that displaying the expiration date would be inappropriate.

CBP will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection.

18. “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

CBP does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.

2. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

No statistical methods were employed.