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Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
Notice.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of information by the Agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information collections associated with our imports program.
Either electronic or written comments on the collection of information must be submitted by October 16, 2026.
You may submit comments as follows. Please note that late, untimely filed comments will not be considered. The https://www.regulations.gov electronic filing system will accept comments until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time at the end of October 16, 2026. Comments received by mail/hand delivery/courier (for written/paper submissions) will be considered timely if they are received on or before that date.
Submit electronic comments in the following way:
Submit written/paper submissions as follows:
Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket No. FDA-2026-N-8328 for “Imports and Electronic Import Entries.” Received comments, those filed in a timely manner (see ADDRESSES ), will be placed in the docket and, except for those submitted as “Confidential Submissions,” publicly viewable at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Dockets Management Staff between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 240-402-7500.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or the electronic and written/paper comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number, found in brackets in the heading of this document, into the “Search” box and follow the prompts and/or go to the Dockets Management Staff, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852, 240-402-7500.
Patrick Clouser, Office of Operations, Food and Drug Administration, Three White Flint North, 10A-12M, 11601 Landsdown St., North Bethesda, MD 20852, 240-402-5276, PRAStaff@fda.hhs.gov.
Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal Agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes Agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal Agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document.
With respect to the following collection of information, FDA invites comments on these topics: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology. ( printed page 53260)
This information collection supports the required data elements that respondents must submit when importing, or offering for import, an FDA-regulated article into the United States. Review of the data elements allows FDA to continue to meet its responsibilities pertaining to current submission requirements established by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) related to the submission of entry information in using its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system, or any CBP-authorized electronic data interchange system.
Respondents (ACE filers) submit important and useful information about FDA-regulated products being imported or offered for import into the United States so that we may effectively and efficiently review products and determine their admissibility. Respondents must submit the data elements required for all imported products, as well as additional data elements as required for specific product types.
The information collection also includes our weekly entry filing program (WEF). More detailed information on Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ)/WEF, is available at https://www.fda.gov/industry/import-basics/foreign-trade-zonesweekly-entry-filing. The WEF program allows entry filers to file a single entry estimating the amount of merchandise anticipated to be removed from an FTZ and offered for U.S. consumption during a 7-day period. To participate, we recommend respondents who wish to file a weekly entry of FDA-regulated products with CBP to first request a preliminary assessment from FDA. As part of the assessment, we also recommend submitting specific data elements, as discussed in the assessment. The information helps us route submissions within the Agency. Information on whether a product is stored or manufactured in the zone is necessary for FDA to determine the applicable admissibility requirements. The FTZ and port information is necessary to ensure that basic requirements of CBP regulations are met. The importer of record (IOR) and manufacturer FDA establishment identification number information is requested by FDA to expedite the admissibility review. Requests to participate in the WEF process are submitted to the FDA Import Division Office covering the intended port of entry.
The information collection also includes our Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS). ITACS is used by the import trade community and was implemented to improve communication with FDA. By utilizing ITACS, respondents to the information collection can establish an account and electronically check the status of FDA-regulated entries and lines, submit entry documentation, submit the location of goods availability for those lines targeted for examination by FDA, and check the estimated laboratory analysis completion dates for lines that have been sampled. For further information regarding ITACS, please visit our website at https://www.fda.gov/industry/import-systems/itacs.
The information collection also includes burden associated with the use of Form FDA 766 entitled “Application for Authorization to Relabel or Recondition Non-compliant Articles.” Form FDA 766 facilitates collection of information associated with certain general enforcement provisions for importing FDA-regulated articles into the United States. The form is available at https://www.fda.gov/industry/actions-enforcement/reconditioning.
Relatedly, the information collection includes burden associated with the use of electronic Form FDA 5054 entitled “New Inquiry Form—Import Compliance Branch.” Form FDA 5054 facilitates both industry's responses to drug import inquiries and the Agency's ability to track receipts of those responses. The form interfaces with current Agency IT systems for optimal utility.
Finally, the information collection includes burden associated with recommendations found in the procedural Agency guidance entitled “Pre-Launch Activities Importation Requests (PLAIR),” (March 2022). Historically, when applicants with a pending new drug application, abbreviated new drug application, or Center for Drug Evaluation and Research-regulated biologics licensing application (information collection associated with these submissions is currently approved under OMB control number 0910-0001) sought to import unapproved finished dosage form drug products into the United States in preparation for market launch, we considered such requests, informally referred to as “PLAIRs,” on a case-by-case basis. Since implementing the PLAIR program in 2013, interest continues to increase, so we have developed a more formalized process as discussed in the guidance. The guidance is available at https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/pre-launch-activities-importation-requests-plair and was issued consistent with our good guidance practice regulations in 21 CFR 10.115, which provide for public comment on Agency guidance documents at any time. The guidance instructs that PLAIR submissions should be made using the applicant's letterhead and submitted by email to CDER-OC-PLAIR@fda.hhs.gov in a file compatible with Portable Document Format (PDF).
Description of Respondents: Respondents to the information collection are domestic and foreign importers of FDA-regulated articles being imported or offered for import into the United States and entry filers who submit import entries on behalf of these importers.
We estimate the burden of the information collection as follows:
| 21 CFR part 1, subpart D | Number of respondents | Number of responses per respondent | Total annual responses | Average burden per response | Total hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Importers submission of data elements (preparing the required information) | 95,307 | 10.14 | 967,069 | 0.08 (5 minutes) | 77,366 |
| Entry filers (unique lines only) | 4,133 | 10,804 | 44,656,657 | 0.04466 (2.68 minutes) | 1,994,336 |
| WEF participants | 10 | 1 | 10 | 0.87 (52 minutes) | 9 |
| ITACS; creation of new account | 500 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 (30 minutes) | 250 |
| Form FDA 766 as required under 21 CFR 1.95 | 324 | 1 | 324 | 0.25 (15 minutes) | 81 |
| Form FDA 5054 | 1,000 | 1 | 1,000 | .083 (5 minutes) | 83 |
| ( printed page 53261) | |||||
| Submissions in accordance w/PLAIR | 80 | 4 | 320 | 16 | 5,120 |
| Total | 45,625,381 | 2,077,245 | |||
| 1 There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information. | |||||
| 2 Numbers have been rounded to reflect electronic submission data. | |||||
Based on a review of the information collection since our last request for OMB approval, we have made no adjustments to our burden estimate.
Grace R. Graham,
Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2026-16712 Filed 8-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P
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