[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 15, Volume 3]

[Revised as of January 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 15CFR2004.9]



[Page 456-457]

 

                  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 which is exempt from disclosure under the Act, is to be 

withheld. Processing



[[Page 457]]



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.