NEW USER FEE STRUCTURE FOR AQI PROGRAM GOES INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1
October 1, 2024
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On September 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (“APHIS”) reminded stakeholders that a new user fee structure for its Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (“AQI”) program goes into effect October 1, 2024. In coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), APHIS conducts the AQI program to intercept foreign agricultural pests and diseases. Doing so prevents harm to U.S. agriculture, trade, and wildlife. To recover the costs associated with AQI activity, the program’s user fee regulations were amended by a final rule published on May 7, 2024. The new user fee regulations make notable changes to the reporting and remittance process. Previously, reporting and remittance was due on a quarterly basis. Beginning on October 1, 2024, reporting and remittances for relevant commercial aircraft and international air passenger fees will be due monthly. These fees are due 90 days after the end of each calendar month. The final rule also removes a provision exempting commercial aircraft with 64 seats or fewer from paying the commercial aircraft inspection fee. Removal of the small aircraft exemption only impacts international, not domestic, flights. Since small commercial aircraft were not previously subject to the fee and may need additional time to come into compliance, the effective date for removal of the exemption for aircraft with 64 or fewer seats will be delayed until April 1, 2025. Also, please note the updated USDA fees below.
|
AQI User Fee Category |
Current Fee (Beginning December 1, 2022) |
Beginning October 1, 2024 |
Beginning October 1, 2025 |
Beginning October 1, 2026 |
Beginning October 1, 2027 |
|
Commercial Aircraft |
$225.00 |
$281.39 |
$300.78 |
$320.61 |
$340.90 |
|
International Air Passenger |
$3.83 |
$3.71 |
$3.84 |
$3.98 |
$4.12 |
This Aviation Blog is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202-659-6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Jay Julien at 202.659.6648 or jjulien@eckertseamans.com, or Samantha Walter at 412.566.1920 or swalter@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
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