Foreign Shippers Face Annual Expense Reporting if Hitting US Port Thresholds
Published Date: 3/16/2026
Notice
Summary
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!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory reporting for ocean‑carrier agents
If you are a U.S. agent for foreign ocean carriers and you handled 40 or more foreign carrier port calls in the year or had covered expenses of $250,000 or more, you must respond to the BE-29 survey. BEA will contact the U.S. persons required to report; those not contacted have no reporting responsibilities.
Annual deadline and filing options
Reports for the BE-29 survey are due 45 days after the end of each calendar year. You can file using BEA's electronic system at www.bea.gov/efile, or submit paper forms by mail or fax; BEA will mail specific reporting instructions to those required to complete the survey.
Estimated paperwork burden per response
BEA estimates the public reporting burden for the BE-29 survey averages 3 hours per response. The collection has OMB control number 0608-0012 under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-06040 — 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.
2026-05075 — 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!
2026-05076 — 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!
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!
2026-05077 — BE-30: Quarterly Survey of Ocean Freight Revenues and Foreign Expenses of U.S. Carriers
If you run a U.S. ocean shipping company making or spending $500,000+ a year, you’ve got to fill out the BE-30 survey every quarter. This survey helps the government track how much money U.S. carriers make and spend overseas, which is super important for understanding trade and the economy. You’ll need to submit your info within 30 days after each quarter ends—easy, but don’t miss the deadline!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-05079 — BE-605: Quarterly Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States-Transactions of U.S. Affiliate With Foreign Parent
The BE-605 survey asks U.S. companies owned by foreign parents to share info about their business deals every quarter. This helps the government understand how foreign investment affects the U.S. economy. Companies must submit their reports within 30 days after each quarter, or 45 days for the year’s last quarter, making it a quick and important check-in for big business moves.
Next: 2026-05081 — BE-37: Quarterly Survey of U.S. Airline Operators' Foreign Revenues and Expenses
U.S. airlines that fly passengers or cargo internationally must fill out a quarterly survey about their foreign earnings and expenses. This helps the government understand how U.S. airlines impact trade and the economy worldwide. Airlines have 30 days after each quarter to submit their reports, making it a quick but important task with no direct cost but big economic value.