Reports on the importation and disposition of tobacco products and processed tobacco are used, along with other information, to determine whether those persons issued the permits required by 26 U.S.C. 5713 are complying with TTB regulations. Those engaged in importing tobacco products and processed tobacco are required to account for the importation and disposition of such products on a monthly basis so TTB may determine if tobacco products or processed tobacco are being diverted for illegal purposes and to ensure that holders of basic permits are engaging in the operations stated on their basic permit.
TTB is reporting adjustments in the number of respondents and the related burden hours for this information collection due to a decrease in the number of importers of tobacco products or processed tobacco. TTB reported 586 respondents in 2012 and is reporting 330 respondents in 2015, a decrease of 256 respondents. The decrease in the number of respondents has led to a corresponding decrease in the number of responses, 7,032 in 2012 to 3,960 currently, and, therefore, a decrease in the total annual burden, from 6,563 to 3,696 total hours. TTB also is reporting an adjustment to the costs to the respondent associated with this information collection in order to exclude the cost of the burden hours associated with the collection. TTB mistakenly included the cost of the burden hours in previous reports.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.