CBP Proposes to Increase Certain COBRA Fees
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a proposed rule that would amend 19 CFR Parts 24 and 111 by increasing the fees charged for certain customs inspectional services under section 13031 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA).
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According to CBP, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (Public Law (P.L.) 108-357 amended 19 USC 58c to extend the fees provided under the COBRA through September 30, 2014 and allow the fees to be increased by an amount not to exceed 10% in the period beginning fiscal year (FY) 2006 through the period for which fees are authorized by law.
CBP Proposes to Increase Fees for Three Categories of Customs Services
CBP is proposing to amend the regulations by increasing the fees for customs services provided in connection with: (1) annual customs brokers permits; (2) each item of dutiable mail for which a customs officer prepares documentation; and (3) the arrival of certain commercial vessels, commercial trucks, railroad cars, private aircraft and private vessels, passengers aboard commercial aircraft and commercial vessels, and barges or other bulk carrier arrivals.
CBP states that it is proposing to increase the fees by the amounts authorized so that they more accurately reflect the actual costs of providing the services for which they are charged. CBP notes that none of the user fees being raised in this package have been adjusted since their implementation in 1986.
The proposed fee increases are as follows:
| Customs Services | Current Fee/Annual Cap | Proposed Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Vessel User Fee (Vessel of 100 Net Tons or More) | $397.00/$5,955 | $437.00/$5,955 |
| Commercial Truck User Fee | $5.00/$100.00 | $5.50/$100.00 |
| Railroad Car Passenger/Freight User Fee and Decal | $7.50/$100.00 | $8.25/$100.00 |
| Private Aircraft and Private Vessel Decal Fees | $25.00 | $27.50 |
| User Fee for Passenger Aboard a Commercial Aircraft | $5.00 | $5.50 |
| User Fee for Passenger Aboard a Commercial Vessel (Non-Exempt) | $5.00 | $5.50 |
| Passenger Commercial Vessel User Fee (Canada, Mexico, Territory or Possession of the U.S., or Adjacent Island as Defined in 8 USC 1101(b)(5)) | $1.75 | $1.93 |
| Dutiable Mail Entries User Fee | $5.00 | $5.50 |
| Customs Broker Permits | $125.00 | $138.00 |
| Barges and other Bulk Carriers (From Canada or Mexico) | $100.00/$1,500 | $110.00/$1,500 |
See CBP's proposed rule for additional discussion of each of the fees subject to proposed increases.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 10/26/04 and 10/13/04 news, 04102605 and 04101310, for BP summaries of the President's signing of COBRA and the House and Senate's Passage of P.L. 108-357, which include discussion of the extension and permitted increase of certain customs fees.)
-written comments must be received by May 24, 2006
CBP Contact - Jerry Petty (202) 344-1317
CBP Proposed Rule (USCBP-2006-0035, FR Pub 04/24/06) available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-3867.pdf