The Department of Commerce wants to gather feedback before sending information collections to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These collections are linked to Section 232 National Security Adjustments to Imports.

The public and other federal agencies have 60 days to comment on this proposal. The end date for submitting comments is September 30, 2025.

Why Is This Happening?

Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 lets the Secretary of Commerce check if imports of an article could harm U.S. national security. The Secretary can start these investigations for several reasons, such as a request from an interested party, another agency, or the Secretary themselves.

After an investigation starts, the Secretary has 270 days to report to the President with their findings. Then, the President has 90 days to decide if action is needed to “adjust the imports” to protect national security.

Presidential Proclamations and Tariffs

In February 2025, Presidential Proclamations 10895 and 10896 were issued. Both proclamations require the Secretary of Commerce to set up a process within 90 days for including more aluminum and steel products in the scope of the Section 232 tariffs. These tariffs were first set up by earlier proclamations from March 2018.

Under the new proclamations, the Secretary can add more products to the tariffs on their own. They can also do this if they get a request from a U.S. producer or industry association. To request inclusion, submissions must show that imports of a certain product have gone up in a way that could threaten national security or hurt the goals of the 2018 investigations or related proclamations.

How Will Information Be Collected?

The information will be collected electronically.

Details of the Collection

• OMB Control Number: 0694-0146
• Form Numbers: None
• Review Type: Regular, with a revision of a current collection
• Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit groups
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 250
• Estimated Time per Response: 16 hours
• Estimated Total Annual Burden: 4,000 hours
• Estimated Total Cost to Public: $176,000
• Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary
• Legal Authority: Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962; Presidential Proclamations 10895 and 10896 (February 10, 2025)

Request for Input

The Department is asking for public comments to:

• Check if the information collection is needed for its work
• Test the accuracy of their estimates on time and cost
• Find ways to improve the quality and clarity of the information
• Suggest ways to lower the reporting burden, such as using automated technology

Any comments submitted will be part of the public record. These comments may be shared with the OMB. Personal information may not stay private, so commenters should be careful about what they submit.

How to Comment

Interested people should send comments by email to Nancy Kook, IC Liaison, Bureau of Industry and Security. The subject line should reference OMB Control Number 0694-0146. Do not send confidential or sensitive information.

Contact for More Information

For more information or questions, people can contact Nancy Kook at 202-482-2440 or by email.

Official Filing

The notice was filed by Sheleen Dumas, Departmental PRA Compliance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.

Publication Details

Federal Register Volume 90, Number 146, Friday, August 1, 2025, Page 36131.

Federal Register Document Number: 2025-14641.

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