[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 190 (Wednesday, October 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56644-56645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24949]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection


Fee for Customs Services at User Fee Airports

AGENCY: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, DHS.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This document advises the public of an increase in the fees 
charged user fee airports by the Bureau of Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) for providing customs services at these designated 
facilities. These fees are based on actual costs incurred by CBP for 
equipment, training, and one CBP inspector on a full-time basis, and, 
thus, merely represent reimbursement to CBP for services rendered. The 
fees to be increased are the initial fee charged for a user fee 
airport's first year after it signs a Memorandum of Agreement with CBP 
to become a user fee airport, and the annual fee thereafter charged 
user fee airports.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The new fees will be effective October 1, 2003, and 
will be reflected in quarterly, user fee airport billings issued on or 
after that date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Sargent, Office of Finance 
(202) 927-0609.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 236 of the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-573, 98 
Stat. 2992) (codified at 19 U.S.C. 58b), as amended, authorizes the 
provision of customs services and establishment of a fee for the use of 
such services at certain specified airports and at any other airport, 
seaport, or other facility designated pursuant to specified criteria. 
(The list of user fee airports is found at Sec.  122.15 of the Customs 
Regulations (19 CFR 122.15)). The fee that is charged is an amount 
equal to the expenses incurred in providing the customs services at the 
designated facility, which includes the salary and expenses of 
individuals employed by CBP, and any necessary support costs to provide 
the customs services. The fees being raised are the initial fee charged 
for a user fee airport's first year after it signs a Memorandum of 
Agreement with CBP to become a user fee airport (set at $129,125 for FY 
2003), and the annual fee, thereafter, charged user fee airports (set 
at $115,400 for FY 2003).
    The user fees for user fee airports are typically set forth in 
Memorandum of Agreements between the user fee facility and CBP. While 
the amounts of these fees are agreed to be at flat rates, they are 
adjustable, as costs and circumstances change.
    The last notice concerning fees charged user fee airports was 
published on September 12, 2002, in the Federal Register (67 FR 57866).

Adjustment of User Fee Airport Fees

    As of July 24, 2003, CBP has determined that in order for the user 
fee to fully reimburse CBP for services provided, the initial fee must 
be increased from $129,125 to $140,874 and that the recurring annual 
fee subsequently charged must be increased from $115,400 to $123,438. 
The new fees will be effective October 1, 2003,

[[Page 56645]]

and will be reflected in quarterly, user fee airport billings issued on 
or after that date.

    Dated: September 26, 2003.
John E. Eichelberger,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Finance.
[FR Doc. 03-24949 Filed 9-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P