[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 140 (Monday, July 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59126-59128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15990]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

[CBP Dec. 24-11]


Customs User Fees To Be Adjusted for Inflation in Fiscal Year 
2025

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces that U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) is adjusting certain customs user fees and 
corresponding limitations established by the Consolidated Omnibus 
Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for Fiscal Year 2025 in accordance 
with the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) as 
implemented by the CBP regulations.

DATES: The adjusted amounts of customs COBRA user fees and their 
corresponding limitations set forth in this notice for Fiscal Year 2025 
are required as of October 1, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kari Deppe, Assistant Director--User 
Fee and Reimbursable Controls Branch, Office of Finance, 317-294-2144, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

A. Adjustments of Customs COBRA User Fees and Corresponding Limitations 
for Inflation

    On December 4, 2015, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation 
Act (FAST Act, Pub. L. 114-94) was signed into law. Section 32201 of 
the FAST Act amended section 13031 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c) by requiring the 
Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to adjust certain customs COBRA 
user fees and corresponding limitations to reflect certain increases in 
inflation.
    Sections 24.22 and 24.23 of title 19 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (19 CFR 24.22 and 24.23) describe the procedures that 
implement the requirements of the FAST Act. Specifically, paragraph (k) 
in section 24.22 (19 CFR 24.22(k)) sets forth the methodology to 
determine the change in inflation as well as the factor by which the 
fees and limitations will be adjusted, if necessary. The fees and 
limitations subject to adjustment, which are set forth in Appendix A 
and Appendix B of part 24, include the commercial vessel arrival fees, 
commercial truck arrival fees, railroad car arrival fees, private 
vessel arrival fees, private aircraft arrival fees, commercial aircraft 
and vessel passenger arrival fees, dutiable mail fees, customs broker 
permit user fees, barges and other bulk carriers arrival fees, and 
merchandise processing fees, as well as the corresponding limitations.

B. Determination of Whether an Adjustment Is Necessary for Fiscal Year 
2025

    In accordance with 19 CFR 24.22, CBP must determine annually 
whether the fees and limitations must be adjusted to reflect inflation. 
For Fiscal Year 2025, CBP is making this determination by comparing the 
average of the Consumer Price Index--All Urban Consumers, U.S. All 
items, 1982-1984 (CPI-U) for the current year (June 2023-May 2024) with 
the average of the CPI-U for the comparison year (June 2022-May 2023) 
to determine the change in inflation, if any. If there is an increase 
in the CPI-U of greater than one (1) percent, CBP must adjust the 
customs COBRA user fees and corresponding limitations using the 
methodology set forth in 19 CFR 24.22(k). Following the steps provided 
in paragraph (k)(2) of section 24.22, CBP has determined that the 
increase in the CPI-U between the most recent June to May twelve-month 
period (June 2023-May 2024) and the comparison year (June 2022-May 
2023) is 3.35 \1\ percent. As the increase in the CPI-U is greater than 
one (1) percent, the customs COBRA user fees and corresponding 
limitations must be adjusted for Fiscal Year 2025.
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    \1\ The figures provided in this notice may be rounded for 
publication purposes only. The calculations for the adjusted fees 
and limitations were made using unrounded figures, unless otherwise 
noted.
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C. Determination of the Adjusted Fees and Limitations

    Using the methodology set forth in section 24.22(k)(2) of the CBP 
regulations (19 CFR 24.22(k)), CBP has determined that the factor by 
which the base fees and limitations will be adjusted is 30.849 percent 
(base fees and limitations can be found in Appendices A and B to part 
24 of title 19). In reaching this determination, CBP calculated the 
values for each variable found in paragraph (k) of 19 CFR 24.22 as 
follows:
     The arithmetic average of the CPI-U for June 2023-May 
2024, referred to as (A) in the CBP regulations, is 308.815;
     The arithmetic average of the CPI-U for Fiscal Year 2014, 
referred to as (B), is 236.009;
     The arithmetic average of the CPI-U for the comparison 
year (June 2022-May 2023), referred to as (C), is 298.952;
     The difference between the arithmetic averages of the CPI-
U of the comparison year (June 2022-May 2023) and the current year 
(June 2023-May 2024), referred to as (D), is 9.863;
     This difference rounded to the nearest whole number, 
referred to as (E), is 10;
     The percentage change in the arithmetic averages of the 
CPI-U of the comparison year (June 2022-May 2023) and the current year 
(June 2023-May 2024), referred to as (F), is 3.35 percent;
     The difference in the arithmetic average of the CPI-U 
between the current year (June 2023-May 2024) and the base year (Fiscal 
Year 2014), referred to as (G), is 72.806; and
     Lastly, the percentage change in the CPI-U from the base 
year (Fiscal Year 2014) to the current year (June 2023-May 2024), 
referred to as (H), is 30.849 percent.

D. Announcement of New Fees and Limitations

    The adjusted amounts of customs COBRA user fees and their 
corresponding limitations for Fiscal Year 2025, as adjusted by 30.849 
percent, and set forth below, are required as of October 1, 2024.

[[Page 59127]]

Table 1 provides the fees and limitations found in 19 CFR 24.22 as 
adjusted for Fiscal Year 2025, and Table 2 provides the fees and 
limitations found in 19 CFR 24.23 as adjusted for Fiscal Year 2025.
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    \2\ The Commercial Truck Arrival Fee is the CBP fee only; it 
does not include the fiscal year 2025 United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) Agricultural and Quarantine Inspection (AQI) User Fee 
($12.40) that is collected by CBP on behalf of USDA to make a total 
Single Crossing Fee of $19.60. See 7 CFR 354.3(c) and 19 CFR 
24.22(c)(1). Once eighteen Single Crossing Fees have been paid and 
used for a vehicle identification number (VIN)/vehicle in a Decal 
and Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS) account within a 
calendar year, the payment required for the nineteenth (and 
subsequent) single-crossing is only the $12.40 AQI fee and no longer 
includes CBP's $7.20 Commercial Truck Arrival fee (for the remainder 
of that calendar year). For APHIS AQI User Fee information, see: 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aqi/fees.
    \3\ The Commercial Truck Arrival fee, as adjusted by the terms 
of 19 CFR 24.22(k), is evenly divided by 0.05, so no further 
adjustment is made. See 19 CFR 24.22(c)(1).
    \4\ The Commercial Truck Calendar Year Prepayment Fee is the CBP 
fee only; it does not include the fiscal year 2025 AQI Commercial 
Truck with Transponder Fee ($622.00) that is collected by CBP on 
behalf of APHIS to make the total Commercial Vehicle Transponder 
Annual User Fee of $752.85.
    \5\ Appendix B of part 24 inadvertently included a reference to 
paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B)(2) of section 24.23. However, the reference 
should have been to paragraph (b)(4)(ii). CBP intends to publish a 
future document in the Federal Register to make several technical 
corrections to part 24 of title 19 of the CFR, including corrections 
to Appendix B of part 24. The technical corrections will also 
address the inadvertent errors specified in footnotes 7, 8, and 10 
below.
    \6\ Although the minimum limitation is published, the fee 
charged is the fee required by 19 U.S.C. 58c(b)(9)(A)(ii).
    \7\ Appendix B of part 24 inadvertently included a reference to 
paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B)(2) of section 24.23. However, the reference 
should have been to paragraph (b)(4)(ii).
    \8\ Appendix B of part 24 inadvertently included a reference to 
paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B)(1) of section 24.23. However, the reference 
should have been to paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B).
    \9\ Only the limitation is increasing; the ad valorem rate of 
0.3464 percent remains the same. See 82 FR 50523 (November 1, 2017).
    \10\ Appendix B of part 24 inadvertently included a reference to 
paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B)(1) of section 24.23. However, the reference 
should have been to paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B).
    \11\ Only the limitation is increasing; the ad valorem rate of 
0.3464 percent remains the same. See 82 FR 50523 (November 1, 2017).
    \12\ For monthly pipeline entries, see https://www.cbp.gov/trade/entry-summary/pipeline-monthly-entry-processing/pipeline-line-qa.

     Table 1--Customs COBRA User Fees and Limitations Found in 19 CFR 24.22 as Adjusted for Fiscal Year 2025
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                                                                                                    New fee/
                                                                                                   limitation
           19 U.S.C. 58c                19 CFR 24.22       Customs COBRA user fee/limitation      adjusted in
                                                                                                accordance with
                                                                                                  the FAST Act
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(a)(1)............................  (b)(1)(i)...........  Fee: Commercial Vessel Arrival Fee.            $571.81
(b)(5)(A).........................  (b)(1)(ii)..........  Limitation: Calendar Year Maximum             7,792.05
                                                           for Commercial Vessel Arrival Fees.
(a)(8)............................  (b)(2)(i)...........  Fee: Barges and Other Bulk Carriers             143.93
                                                           Arrival Fee.
(b)(6)............................  (b)(2)(ii)..........  Limitation: Calendar Year Maximum             1,962.73
                                                           for Barges and Other Bulk Carriers
                                                           Arrival Fees.
(a)(2)............................  (c)(1)..............  Fee: Commercial Truck Arrival Fee 2               7.20
                                                           3.
(b)(2)............................  (c)(2) and (3)......  Limitation: Commercial Truck                    130.85
                                                           Calendar Year Prepayment Fee \4\.
(a)(3)............................  (d)(1)..............  Fee: Railroad Car Arrival Fee......              10.80
(b)(3)............................  (d)(2) and (3)......  Limitation: Railroad Car Calendar               130.85
                                                           Year Prepayment Fee.
(a)(4)............................  (e)(1) and (2)......  Fee and Limitation: Private Vessel               35.98
                                                           or Private Aircraft First Arrival/
                                                           Calendar Year Prepayment Fee.
(a)(6)............................  (f).................  Fee: Dutiable Mail Fee.............               7.20
(a)(5)(A).........................  (g)(1)(i)...........  Fee: Commercial Vessel or                         7.20
                                                           Commercial Aircraft Passenger
                                                           Arrival Fee.
(a)(5)(B).........................  (g)(1)(ii)..........  Fee: Commercial Vessel Passenger                  2.53
                                                           Arrival Fee (from one of the
                                                           territories and possessions of the
                                                           United States).
(a)(7)............................  (h).................  Fee: Customs Broker Permit User Fee             180.57
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     Table 2--Customs COBRA User Fees and Limitations Found in 19 CFR 24.23 as Adjusted for Fiscal Year 2025
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                                                                                                    New fee/
                                                                                                   limitation
           19 U.S.C. 58c                19 CFR 24.23       Customs COBRA user fee/limitation      adjusted in
                                                                                                accordance with
                                                                                                  the FAST Act
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(b)(9)(A)(ii).....................  (b)(1)(i)(A)........  Fee: Express Consignment Carrier/                $1.31
                                                           Centralized Hub Facility Fee, Per
                                                           Individual Waybill/Bill of Lading
                                                           Fee.
(b)(9)(B)(i)......................  (b)(4)(ii) \5\......  Limitation: Minimum Express                       0.46
                                                           Consignment Carrier/Centralized
                                                           Hub Facility Fee \6\.
(b)(9)(B)(i)......................  (b)(4)(ii) \7\......  Limitation: Maximum Express                       1.31
                                                           Consignment Carrier/Centralized
                                                           Hub Facility Fee.
(a)(9)(B)(i); (b)(8)(A)(i)........  (b)(1)(i)(B) \8\....  Limitation: Minimum Merchandise                  32.71
                                                           Processing Fee \9\.
(a)(9)(B)(i); (b)(8)(A)(i)........  (b)(1)(i)(B) \10\...  Limitation: Maximum Merchandise                 634.62
                                                           Processing Fee 11 12.
(b)(8)(A)(ii).....................  (b)(1)(ii)..........  Fee: Surcharge for Manual Entry or                3.93
                                                           Release.
(a)(10)(C)(i).....................  (b)(2)(i)...........  Fee: Informal Entry or Release;                   2.62
                                                           Automated and Not Prepared by CBP
                                                           Personnel.
(a)(10)(C)(ii)....................  (b)(2)(ii)..........  Fee: Informal Entry or Release;                   7.85
                                                           Manual and Not Prepared by CBP
                                                           Personnel.
(a)(10)(C)(iii)...................  (b)(2)(iii).........  Fee: Informal Entry or Release;                  11.78
                                                           Manual; Prepared by CBP Personnel.
(b)(9)(A)(ii).....................  (b)(4)..............  Fee: Express Consignment Carrier/                 1.31
                                                           Centralized Hub Facility Fee, Per
                                                           Individual Waybill/Bill of Lading
                                                           Fee.
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[[Page 59128]]

    Tables 1 and 2, setting forth the adjusted fees and limitations for 
Fiscal Year 2025, will also be maintained for the public's convenience 
on the CBP website at www.cbp.gov.
    Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the 
Commissioner, having reviewed and approved this document, has delegated 
the authority to electronically sign this document to the Director (or 
Acting Director, if applicable) of the Regulations and Disclosure Law 
Division of CBP, for purposes of publication in the Federal Register.

Robert F. Altneu,
Director, Regulations & Disclosure Law Division, Regulations & Rulings, 
Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 2024-15990 Filed 7-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P