Despite Industry Feedback, Census Still Seeking Other Data Sources for Puerto Rico EEI Filings, Official Says

The Census Bureau needs more time to assess the comments it received on whether to eliminate certain export filings for shipments to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, partly because the comments were so split (see 2012040033), said Kiesha Downs, chief of Census’ Foreign Trade Division’s regulations branch. She also said the comments didn’t help the agency find alternative sources to collect the data that is normally submitted through the Electronic Export Information filings.

“We didn't get a lot of that in the feedback,” Downs said during a Dec. 8 Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee meeting. “I think that's something that we're continuing to look into to see if there is an opportunity to capture the data elsewhere.”

Downs said the pre-rule (see 2009160033), which was issued in September and closed for public comments in November, was mainly a “fact-finding” mission, adding that Census is “still in the evaluation stage of combing through comments and doing research.”

Although the Puerto Rican government and U.S. companies have complained to the agency that the filings treat the island unfairly (see 2003100054) and impose burdensome costs on exporters, Downs said many of the comments made arguments for keeping the requirements. Some commenters -- including Puerto Rican government officials -- said the filings are a vital source for data collection on Puerto Rico’s business community and economy, Downs said.

“Over the years we have definitely had a lot of conversation with [industry] more on the side of requesting that we remove” the requirements, she said. “I'll be honest, I don't think we've ever had any official parties who have commented we want to keep it” until now.

Downs also said Census continues to work with CBP to make progress on the release of CBP’s electronic export manifest system, but did not give a release date (see 2003110038). She said the two agencies are having “regular meetings” and believes CBP will soon be expanding its EEM pilot to more ports. CBP didn’t comment.