Commerce Asks Businesses to Comment on Another Quarterly Survey
Published Date: 10/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Commerce wants your thoughts on a survey that collects info from U.S. businesses dealing with foreign folks in services and intellectual property. If your sales with foreign partners hit $6 million or more, this affects you! They’re asking for comments by December 18, 2026, to keep the survey smooth and useful without wasting anyone’s time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Higher BE-125 Reporting Thresholds
If your business sells covered services or intellectual property to foreign persons, you must now report on Form BE-125 only if combined sales exceeded $20,000,000 for the previous fiscal year or are expected to exceed $20,000,000 during the current fiscal year (previously $6,000,000). Similarly, you must report purchases only if combined purchases from foreign persons exceeded $12,000,000 for the previous fiscal year or are expected to exceed $12,000,000 during the current fiscal year (previously $4,000,000).
Estimated Time Burden and Number of Reporters
BEA estimates 10,000 annual respondents (2,500 per quarter), with 1,900 respondents filing mandatory data by country and affiliation averaging 21 hours per response and 600 filing exemption claims or voluntary responses averaging 1 hour. The estimated total annual burden is 162,000 hours and the estimated total annual cost to the public is $0.
New Detailed IP and Services Categories
BEA will collect new transaction categories for data and database intellectual property rights: 8.1 (rights to use), 8.2 (rights to reproduce/distribute), and 8.3 (outright sales). BEA will also add a new information services category 14.2, redefine other information services as 14.3, add a new personal services category 42, and renumber other selected services to 43.
Quarterly Filing Deadlines for BE-125
BE-125 reports must be filed within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter that is not the final quarter, and within 45 days after the close of the final fiscal quarter of the year. BEA will contact entities required to report; entities not contacted by BEA have no reporting responsibilities.
Mandatory Reporting and Electronic Filing Option
Reporting on Form BE-125 is mandatory for entities meeting the thresholds, and BEA offers an electronic filing option (the eFile system) as well as downloadable forms that can be faxed or mailed. The OMB control number for the collection is 0608-0067.
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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.
2026-05080, 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!
2026-05075, 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!
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