Foreign Ship Agents Report Annual US Ocean Carrier Expenses
Published Date: 2/28/2025
Notice
Summary
If you’re a U.S. agent for foreign ocean carriers with lots of ship visits or big expenses, you’ll need to fill out the BE-29 survey every year. This survey helps the government understand how foreign shipping affects the U.S. economy and trade. You’ll get a notice and must submit your info within 45 days after the year ends—so get ready to report and keep the data flowing!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Annual BE-29 filing if thresholds met
If you are a U.S. agent for foreign ocean carriers who handled 40 or more foreign ocean carrier port calls in the reporting period, or had covered expenses of $250,000 or more in the reporting period, you must complete the BE-29 survey each year. You must submit the completed form within 45 days after the end of each calendar year, and BEA will mail specific reporting notices to those required to report.
BEA will contact required reporters
BEA will mail notices and contact individually the U.S. persons who are required to complete the BE-29 survey. U.S. persons who are not contacted by BEA have no reporting responsibilities under this notice.
Estimated paperwork burden: 3 hours
The Office of Management and Budget approved this collection under control number 0608-0012 and estimates the public reporting burden at an average of 3 hours per BE-29 response. Comments on the burden estimate can be sent to the named BEA and OMB contacts listed in the notice.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-06040, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Direct Investment Surveys: BE-605, Quarterly Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States-Transactions of U.S. Affiliate With Foreign Parent
The Department of Commerce is updating a quarterly survey that asks U.S. companies owned by foreign parents about their business deals. About 2,100 companies respond each quarter, spending around an hour each time. This update helps keep important economic data accurate without adding extra hassle, and the public has 30 more days to share their thoughts.
2026-06039, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Direct Investment Surveys: BE-13, Survey of New Foreign Direct Investment in the United States
The government is asking businesses with new foreign investments in the U.S. to keep filling out the BE-13 survey, which helps track how much foreign money is coming into the country. About 3,400 companies will respond yearly, spending around 36 minutes each. This survey stays mandatory, with no changes, and helps understand the impact of foreign investments on the U.S. economy.
2026-05075, BE-11: Annual Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad
The BE-11 survey asks U.S. companies that own more than half of a foreign business to share info about their investments abroad. This helps the government understand how American money moves around the world and affects the economy. If you’re one of these companies, get ready to report your last fiscal year’s data by May 31—it’s mandatory and important!
2026-05080, BE-29: Annual Survey of Foreign Ocean Carriers' Expenses in the United States
The BE-29 survey asks U.S. agents of foreign ocean carriers to report their expenses in the U.S. if they handled 40+ port calls or spent $250,000+ in a year. This mandatory survey helps the government track trade in shipping services and understand its impact on the economy. Reports are due within 45 days after the calendar year ends, so get ready to share your numbers on time!
2026-05074, BE-577: Quarterly Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad-Transactions of U.S. Reporter With Foreign Affiliate
If your U.S. business owns or controls a foreign company, you’ll need to fill out the BE-577 survey every quarter. This survey helps the government track how much money U.S. companies invest abroad and how it affects the economy. You’ll have 30 days after each quarter to report, or 45 days if it’s the year’s final quarter—so keep an eye on those deadlines!
2026-05076, BE-9: Quarterly Survey of Foreign Airline Operators' Revenues and Expenses in the United States
If you work for a foreign airline with offices in the U.S., you’ll need to fill out a quarterly survey about your money coming in and going out here. This helps the government understand how foreign airlines impact the U.S. economy and trade. You’ll have 30 days after each quarter to send in your report, so get ready to share your numbers on time!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03316, BE-15: Annual Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States
The BE-15 survey is a must-do for U.S. businesses with at least 10% foreign ownership. It helps the government understand how foreign investments affect the U.S. economy. Reports covering last year’s data are due by May 31, or June 30 if filed online, so get ready to share your info and keep the economy’s story clear!
Next: 2025-03318, BE-30: Quarterly Survey of Ocean Freight Revenues and Foreign Expenses of U.S. Carriers
If you're a U.S. ocean carrier making or spending $500,000+ a year, you’ll need to fill out the BE-30 survey every quarter. This survey helps the government track how ocean freight affects the U.S. and global economies. You’ll have 30 days after each quarter to send in your info—so get ready to keep those numbers flowing!