APHIS Proposes User Fee Increases for Certain Import/Export Services
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to incrementally increase user fees for import- and export-related services that APHIS provides for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors in fiscal years 2009 through 2013.
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APHIS states that it is proposing these increases in order to ensure that the fees accurately reflect the anticipated costs of providing these services each year. APHIS will consider all comments received on or before August 4, 2008.
Proposed Fee Increases for Import Permit Applications, Animal Inspections, Etc.
Specifically, APHIS is proposing to increase the fees for the following services (partial list):
Processing import permit applications. 9 CFR 130.4 lists user fees charged to provide import compliance assistance and to process applications for permits to import certain animals and animal products.
Inspection of live animals at ports of entry. 9 CFR 130.6 and 130.7 list user fees charged for inspecting animals at land ports, airports, and seaports that are imported into the U.S. APHIS inspects the animals to minimize the risk that they could introduce a foreign animal disease.
Inspecting and approving import and export facilities and establishments. 9 CFR 130.11 lists the user fees for inspections of approved import/export facilities and establishments, including embryo collection centers, establishments approved by APHIS for the receipt and handling of restricted import animal products or byproducts, etc. Fees for inspections required for approved establishments, warehouses, and facilities under 9 CFR Parts 94 through 96 are also listed in this section.
Endorsing export certificates. 9 CFR 130.20 lists user fees charged for endorsing certificates for animals or animal products exported from the U.S. The importing countries often require these certificates to show that an animal has tested negative to specific animal diseases or that an animal or animal product has not been exposed to specific animal diseases.
Quarantining animals in APHIS animal import centers. 9 CFR 130.2 lists user fees charged for services APHIS provides for animals quarantined in APHIS Animal Import Centers.
Other APHIS services. 9 CFR Section 130.8 lists the user fees charged for a variety of other services APHIS provides related to the importation into or exportation from the U.S. of animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors.
(The proposed fees for fiscal years 2009-2013 are set forth in the regulatory text in the proposed rule and are based on FY 2007 costs and include labor and non-labor cost adjustments for FY 2009-2013. APHIS states that it intends to review, at least annually, the user fees proposed in this document and will publish any necessary adjustments in the Federal Register.)
-comments are due by August 4, 2008
(See ITT's Online Archives or 06/11/08 news, 08061199 7, for previous BP summary of APHIS' proposed rule.)
| Inez Hockaday (program operations) | (301) 734-7517 |
| Kris Caraher (rate development) | (301) 734-5901 |
APHIS notice (D/N APHIS-2006-0144, FR Pub 06/04/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12376.pdf
APHIS press release (dated 06/03/08) available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2008/06/vetufee.shtml