APHIS Increases AQI User Fees 10-14% Starting October 1, 2009
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued an interim final rule, effective October 1, 2009, which raises fiscal year 2010 user fees for agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) services provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international airline passengers arriving at ports in the customs territory of the U.S.
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Comments are due November 27, 2009.
Previously Scheduled Increase Insufficient to Cover Costs
In December 2004, APHIS issued an interim final rule that established AQI user fees for fiscal years 2005 to 2010 which increased modestly each year. However, due to the decreased trade volumes of the economic downturn and the fact that AQI programs are funded solely through user fees, APHIS must adjust its fees upward to maintain its existing level of service.
(APHIS estimates that collecting user fees at the previously established rate would have caused a $32.1 million shortfall in FY 2010 and risked depleting the program's reserve fund which allows program operations to continue without interruption when volumes fluctuate due to economic conditions or other circumstances.)
AQI User Fees Will be 10-14% Higher Starting October 1, 2009
Starting October 1, 2009, the interim rule amends 7 CFR 354.3 to increase APHIS user fees for AQI services for FY 2010 as follows:
Commercial vessels - up 10%. The fee will be $544.00 per arrival (from $494.00). After the 15th entry, no charge.
Commercial trucks - up 14%. The fee will be $6.00 (from $5.25) per arrival and $120 (from $105) for an annual AQI permit valid for FY 2010.
Loaded commercial railroad cars - up 12%: The fee will be $8.75 per arrival (from $7.75) and $175 (from $155) for an annual AQI permit valid for FY 2010.
Commercial aircraft - up 10%: The fee will be $78.00 (from $70.50).
(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/09/09 news, 09070930, for BP summary of APHIS' July 2009 final rule increasing the AQI export certification user fees for plants, plant products.)
APHIS contact - William Thomas (301) 734-5214
APHIS interim rule (D/N APHIS-2009-0048, FR Pub 09/28/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-23387.pdf