APHIS Delays AQI Fees for Canada Commercial Carriers, Etc. (Commercial Vehicles Begin March 1st)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a press release announcing that it is delaying the November 24, 2006 effective date and establishing a staggered implementation for the collection of agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) user fees for inspections of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables, commercial vessels, vehicles, railroad cars and aircraft, as well as international passengers entering the U.S. from Canada.
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(In September 2006, APHIS issued an interim rule which stated that as of November 24, 2006, Canada would no longer be exempt from AQI user fees for commercial vehicles, commercial vessels, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international air passengers, which enter the U.S. from Canada. The interim rule also removes the exemptions from AQI inspection for imported fruits and vegetables grown in Canada. See ITT's Online Archives or 09/07/06 news, 06090720, for BP summary of APHIS interim rule eliminating Canada's exemptions.
AQI fees for commercial vehicles are collected by CBP for APHIS. AQI fees for commercial vessels, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international air passengers are paid directly to APHIS. See ITT's Online Archives or 11/06/06 news, 06110620 for BP summary on CBP's collection of the fee for commercial vehicles.)
Air Passengers to Begin Paying Fee on Jan. 1st, Commercial Vehicles, Others Begin on March 1st
Effective January 1, 2007, air passengers arriving in the U.S. from Canada will no longer be exempt from the international air passenger AQI user fee.
Effective March 1, 2007, the remaining provisions of the rule will take effect, including the removal of the AQI user fee exemption for all commercial conveyances entering the U.S. from Canada.
Delay Will Allow Affected Industries, Groups Time to Prepare for Compliance
APHIS states that the delay will allow affected industries time to prepare for the change and allow affected groups to make necessary preparations in order to comply with the inspection and collection procedures that will be instituted.
APHIS adds that notice of this action is scheduled for publication in the November 22, 2006 Federal Register.
CBP contact- Erlinda Byrd (202) 344-1593
APHIS Contact- Melissa O'Dell (301) 734-5222
APHIS press release no. 0451.06 (dated 11/17/06) available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_2_1UH/.ce/7_2_5JM/.p/5_2_4TQ/.d/2/_th/J_2_9D/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?PC_7_2_5JM_contentid=2006%2F11%2F0451.xml&PC_7_2_5JM_parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&PC_7_2_5JM_navid=NEWS_RELEASE7_2_5JM