[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 15, Volume 3]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 15CFR2004.9]

[Page 436-437]
 
                  TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE
 
      CHAPTER XX--OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
 
PART 2004_FREEDOM OF INFORMATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 2004.9  Fees schedule.

    (a) Fees schedule for the search and reproduction of information 
available under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), as 
amended:
    (1) Search for records. Five dollars per hour when the search is 
conducted by a clerical employee. Eight dollars per hour when the search 
is conducted by a professional employee. No charge for searches of less 
than one hour.
    (2) Duplication of records. Records will be duplicated at a rate of 
$.15 per page for all copying of 4 pages or more.
    (3) Other. When no specific fee has been established for a service, 
or the request for a service does not fall under one of the above 
categories due to the amount or type thereof, the Freedom of Information 
Act Officer is authorized to establish an appropriate fee based on 
``direct costs'' as provided in the Freedom of Information Act. Examples 
of services covered by this provision include searches involving 
computer time or special travel, transportation, or communications 
costs.
    (b) Search costs are due and payable even if the record which was 
requested cannot be located after all reasonable efforts have been made, 
or if the Freedom of Information Officer or his designee or the Freedom 
of Information Appeals Committee determines that a record which has been 
requested, but

[[Page 437]]

which is exempt from disclosure under the Act, is to be withheld. 
Processing of a request for records will not be undertaken until the 
person requesting a record has paid in full for search and duplication 
charges for any previous document request under the Act.
    (c) Where it is anticipated that the fees chargeable under this 
section will amount to more than $25, and the person requesting the 
record has not indicated in advance his willingness to pay fees as high 
as are anticipated, the person so requesting shall be promptly notified 
of the amount of the anticipated fee or such portion thereof as can 
readily be estimated. In instances where the estimated fees will greatly 
exceed $25, an advance deposit may be required. The notice or request 
for an advance deposit shall extend an offer to the person requesting 
the record to consult with the Administrative Officer of STR in an 
attempt to reformulate the request in a manner which will reduce the 
fees and meet the needs of the person requesting the record. Dispatch of 
such a notice or request shall suspend the running of the period for 
response by the Office of the STR until a reply is received from the 
person requesting the record.
    (d) Fees must be paid in full prior to issuance of requested copies.