Introduction:
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security, has recently announced adjustments to certain customs user fees for the Fiscal Year 2024. These adjustments are in line with the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act).
Key Highlights:
Adjustment Details: The CBP is making necessary adjustments to customs user fees and corresponding limitations established by COBRA for Fiscal Year 2024. This is in accordance with the FAST Act, as implemented by CBP regulations.
Effective Date: The revised customs COBRA user fees and their corresponding limitations will come into effect from October 1, 2023.
Contact Information: For further details, stakeholders can reach out to Tina Ghiladi, Senior Advisor, International Travel & Trade, Office of Finance at 202–344–3722 or via email at UserFeeNotices@cbp.dhs.gov.
Background Information:
The FAST Act, signed into law on December 4, 2015, necessitates the adjustment of certain customs COBRA user fees to reflect inflationary increases. This is implemented through sections 24.22 and 24.23 of title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
The fees subject to adjustment include commercial vessel arrival fees, commercial truck arrival fees, private vessel and aircraft arrival fees, customs broker permit user fees, and merchandise processing fees, among others.
Determination Process:
CBP annually reviews whether the fees need to be adjusted for inflation. The determination for Fiscal Year 2024 was made by comparing the average Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for the current year (June 2022–May 2023) with the previous year (June 2021–May 2022).
An increase of 6.79% was observed in the CPI-U, which mandates an adjustment in the customs COBRA user fees for Fiscal Year 2024.
Adjusted Fees:
Using the prescribed methodology, CBP has determined an adjustment factor of 26.670%. This means that the base fees and limitations will be adjusted by this percentage.
The adjusted customs COBRA user fees and their corresponding limitations for Fiscal Year 2024 will be required as of October 1, 2023. Specific details of the adjusted fees can be found in the tables provided by the CBP.
DUTIABLE MAIL FEE: $6.97
CUSTOMS BROKER PERMIT USER FEE: $174.80
MINIMUM MERCHANDISE PROCESSING FEE: $31.67
MAXIMUM MERCHANDISE PROCESSING FEE: $614.35
INFORMAL ENTRY FEE: $2.53
Conclusion:
It's crucial for businesses and stakeholders involved in international trade to be aware of these adjustments and plan their financial strategies accordingly. Staying updated with such regulatory changes ensures smooth operations and compliance with U.S. customs regulations.
For a detailed breakdown of the adjusted fees and limitations, stakeholders are advised to refer to the official CBP notice or get in touch with the provided contact.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a customs professional or the CBP directly for specific guidance.