[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17756-17764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-07349]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 81 / Tuesday, April 29, 2025 /
Notices
[[Page 17756]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-AMS-25-0010]
2025/2026 Rates Charged for AMS Services
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the
2025/2026 rates it will charge for voluntary grading, inspection,
certification, auditing, and laboratory services for a variety of
agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and
vegetables, eggs, dairy products, rice, and cotton and tobacco. The
2025/2026 regular, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates
will be applied at the beginning of the crop year, fiscal year or as
required by law depending on the commodity. Other starting dates are
added to this notice based on cotton industry practices. This action
establishes the rates for user-funded programs based on costs incurred
by AMS. This year, cost-based analyses indicated the need to increase
certain user fee rates when current rates are insufficient to cover the
costs of providing the service. While cost-saving measures have and
will continue to be implemented, user fee rate increases are necessary
to offset rising operational costs. In cases where current rates are
sufficient to cover the costs of providing the service, user fee rates
remain unchanged. Furthermore, AMS is announcing the fees it will
charge warehouse operators for voluntary services associated with the
administration of the United States Warehouse Act, including the
license action fees, service license fees, inspection fees, and annual
user fees for warehouse services for fiscal year 2026, which begins
October 1, 2025. This year, AMS will minimize the impact on industry by
limiting any increases to cover inflationary costs only.
DATES: April 30, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Bailey, Associate
Administrator, AMS, USDA, Room 2036-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW,
Washington, DC 20250; Telephone (202) 205-9356, or Email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as
amended (AMA) (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), provides for the collection of fees
to cover costs of various inspection, grading, certification, or
auditing services covering many agricultural commodities and products.
The AMA also provides for the recovery of costs incurred in providing
laboratory services. The Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act (7 U.S.C.
471-476) and the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51-65) provide for
classification of cotton and development of cotton standards materials
necessary for cotton classification. The Cotton Futures Act (7 U.S.C.
15b) provides for futures certification services, and the Tobacco
Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511-511s) provides for tobacco inspection and
grading. Finally, the United States Warehouse Act (7 U.S.C. 241-256)
provides for the licensing of public warehouse operators in the
business of storing agricultural products and the examination of such
federally licensed warehouses. These Acts also provide for the recovery
of costs associated with these services.
I. Standardization of AMS Rates Calculations
On November 13, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(Department) published in the Federal Register a final rule that
established standardized formulas for calculating the fees charged by
AMS user-funded programs (79 FR 67313). On the basis of rates
calculated using these formulas, AMS is to determine the fee rates
necessary to sustain program services. Every year since then, the
Department has published in the Federal Register a notice announcing
the rates for its user-funded programs.
This notice announces the 2025/2026 fee rates for voluntary
grading, inspection, certification, auditing, and laboratory services
for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry,
fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, rice, and cotton and
tobacco on a per-hour rate and, in some instances, the equivalent per-
unit cost. The per-unit cost is provided to facilitate understanding of
the costs associated with the service to the industries that
historically used unit-cost basis for payment. Fee rates will be
effective at the beginning of the fiscal year, crop year, or as
required by specific laws.
Rates reflect direct and indirect costs of providing services.
Direct costs include the cost of salaries, employee benefits, and, if
applicable, travel and some operating costs. Indirect or overhead costs
include the cost of Program and Agency activities supporting the
services provided to the industry. The formula used to calculate these
rates also includes operating reserve, which may add to or draw upon
the existing operating reserves.
These services include the grading, inspection, or certification of
quality factors in accordance with established U.S. Grade Standards or
other specifications; audits or accreditation according to
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards and/or
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles; and
other marketing claims. The quality grades serve as a basis for market
prices and reflect the value of agricultural commodities to both
producers and consumers. AMS' grading and certification, audit and
accreditation, plant process and equipment verification, and laboratory
approval services are voluntary tools paid for by the users on a fee-
for-service basis. The agriculture industry can use these tools to
promote and communicate the quality of agricultural commodities to
consumers. Laboratory services are provided for analytic testing,
including but not limited to chemical, microbiological, biomolecular,
and physical analyses. AMS is required by statute to recover the costs
associated with these services.
As required by the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act (7 U.S.C.
471-476), fees for the upcoming season must be announced by June 1 of
year and consultations regarding the establishment of the fee for
cotton classification are to be held with U.S. cotton industry
representatives. Representatives of all segments of the cotton
industry, including producers,
[[Page 17757]]
ginners, bale storage facility operators, merchants, cooperatives, and
textile manufacturers were informed of general fees prior to this
publication.
2025/2026 Rate Calculations
AMS calculated the rate for services, per hour per program
employee, using the following formulas (a per-unit base is included for
programs that charge for services on a per-unit basis):
(1) Regular rate. The total AMS grading, inspection, certification,
classification, audit, or laboratory service program personnel direct
pay divided by direct hours for the previous year, which is then
multiplied by the next year's percentage of cost of living increase,
plus the benefits rate, plus the operating rate, plus the allowance for
bad debt rate. If applicable, travel expenses may also be added to the
cost of providing the service.
(2) Overtime rate. The total AMS grading, inspection,
certification, classification, audit, or laboratory service program
personnel direct pay divided by direct hours, which is then multiplied
by the next year's percentage of cost of living increase and then
multiplied by 1.5, plus the benefits rate, plus the operating rate,
plus an allowance for bad debt. If applicable, travel expenses may also
be added to the cost of providing the service.
(3) Holiday rate. The total AMS grading, inspection, certification,
classification, audit, or laboratory service program personnel direct
pay divided by direct hours, which is then multiplied by the next
year's percentage of cost of living increase and then multiplied by 2,
plus the benefits rate, plus the operating rate, plus an allowance for
bad debt. If applicable, travel expenses may also be added to the cost
of providing the service.
All rates are per-hour except when a per-unit cost is noted. The
specific amounts in each rate calculation are available upon request
from the specific AMS program.
2025/2026 Rates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Includes
travel
Regular Overtime Holiday costs in Start date
rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 27--Cotton Classification Under Cotton Futures Legislation
Subpart A--Requirements; Sec. Sec. 27.80-27.90 Costs of Classification and Micronaire
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton Standardization:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certification for Futures $4.75/bale X August 1, 2025.
Contract (Grading
services for samples
submitted by CCC-
licensed samplers).
------------------------------------------------
Transfer of Certification $0.20/bale or $5.00 per page minimum X August 1, 2025.
Data to New Owner or
Certified Warehouse
(Electronic transfer
performed).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 28--Cotton Classing, Testing, and Standards
Subpart A--Regulations Under the United States Cotton Standards Act; Sec. Sec. 28.115-28.126 Fees and Costs
Subpart D--Cotton Classification and Market News Service for Producers; Sec. 28.909 Costs; Sec. 28.910
Classification of Samples and Issuance of Classification Data; Sec. 28.911 Review Classification.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton Grading:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1: Grading Services $3.05/bale X July 1, 2025.
for Producers (submitted
by licensed sampler).
------------------------------------------------
Form 1 Review (new sample $3.15/bale X July 1, 2025.
submitted by licensed
sampler).
------------------------------------------------
Form A Determinations $3.15/bale X July 1, 2025.
(sample submitted by
licensed warehouse).
------------------------------------------------
Form C Determinations $3.15/bale X July 1, 2025.
(sample submitted by non-
licensed entity; bale
sampled under USDA
supervision).
------------------------------------------------
Form D Determination $3.15/bale X August 1, 2025.
(sample submitted by
owner or agent;
classification
represents sample only).
------------------------------------------------
Foreign Growth $6.00/sample X August 1, 2025.
Classification (sample
of foreign growth cotton
submitted by owner or
agent; classification
represents sample only).
------------------------------------------------
Arbitration (comparison $6.00/sample X August 1, 2025.
of a sample to the
official standards or a
sample type).
------------------------------------------------
Practical Cotton Classing Exam: $159/applicant. Reexamination: $138/ X August 1, 2025.
Exam (for non-USDA applicant
employees).
------------------------------------------------
Special Sample Handling $0.50/sample X July 1, 2025.
(return of samples per
request).
------------------------------------------------
[[Page 17758]]
Electronic Copy of $0.05/bale ($5.00/month minimum with any X July 1, 2025.
Classification Record. records received)
------------------------------------------------
Form A Rewrite $0.15/bale or $5.00/page minimum X August 1, 2025.
(reissuance of Form 1,
Form A, or Futures
Certification data or
combination).
------------------------------------------------
Form R (reissuance of $0.15/bale or $5.00/page minimum X August 1, 2025.
Form 1 classification
only).
------------------------------------------------
International Instrument $4.00/sample X August 1, 2025.
Level Assessment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dairy Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 58--Grading and Inspection, General Specifications for Approved Plants and Standards for Grades of
Dairy Products
Subpart A--Regulations Governing the Inspection and Grading Services of Manufactured or Processed Dairy
Products; Sec. Sec. 58.38-58.46 Fees and Charges
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuous Resident Grading $95.00 $116.00 $137.00 X Oct 1, 2025.
Service.
Continuous Resident Grading $105.00 $128.00 $151.00 X Oct 1, 2025.
Service 6 p.m.-6 a.m..
Non-resident and Intermittent $120.00 $155.00 $190.00 X Oct 1, 2025.
Grading Service; State
Graders.
Non-resident Services 6 p.m.- $132.00 $171.00 $190.00 X Oct 1, 2025.
6 a.m. (10 percent night
differential).
------------------------------------------------
Export Certificate Services.. $104.00/certificate .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Equipment Review \1\......... $135.00 $192.00 $249.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Equipment Review 6 p.m.-6 $148.00 $211.00 $249.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
a.m. \1\.
------------------------------------------------
Audit Services............... $135.00 X Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Special Handling............. $52.00/certificate .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Uncertified Copy of $12.00/copy .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Certificate.
------------------------------------------------
Derogation Application....... $125.00/application .......... Oct 1, 2025.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specialty Crops Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 51--Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Inspection, Certification, and Standards)
Subpart A--Requirements; Sec. Sec. 51.37-51.44 Schedule of Fees and Charges at Destination Markets; Sec.
51.45 Schedule of Fees and Charges at Shipping Point Areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality and Condition $267.00/lot .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Inspections for Whole Lots.
------------------------------------------------
Quality and Condition Half $220.00/lot .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Lot or Condition-Only
Inspections for Whole Lots.
------------------------------------------------
Condition--Half Lot.......... $204.00/lot .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Quality and Condition or $122.00/lot .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Condition-Only Inspections
50 Packages or Less.
------------------------------------------------
Quality and Condition or $122.00/lot .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Condition-Only Inspections
for Additional Lots of the
Same Product.
------------------------------------------------
Dockside Inspections--Each $0.044/pkg. .......... Oct 1, 2025.
package weighing <30 lbs..
------------------------------------------------
Dockside Inspections--Each $0.068/pkg. .......... Oct 1, 2025.
package weighing >30 lbs..
------------------------------------------------
Charge per Individual Product $254.00/lot .......... Oct 1, 2025.
for Dockside Inspection.
------------------------------------------------
Charge per Each Additional $122.00/lot .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Lot of the Same Product.
------------------------------------------------
Inspections for All Hourly $129.00 $169.00 $209.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Work.
------------------------------------------------
Section 8e--Quality and $0.006675/pound .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Condition Inspections.
------------------------------------------------
Section 8e--Additional Lots $61.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
of the Same Product.
------------------------------------------------
Audit Services--Federal...... $171.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
[[Page 17759]]
Audit Services--State........ $171.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
GFSI Certification Fee \2\... $250.00/audit .......... Oct 1, 2025.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 52--Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Other Processed Food Products
Subpart A--Requirements Governing Inspection and Certification; Sec. Sec. 52.41-52.51 Fees and Charges
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lot Inspections.............. $99.00 $128.00 $157.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
In-plant Inspections Under $105.00 $128.00 $152.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Annual Contract (year-round).
Additional Graders (in-plant) $105.00 $141.00 $176.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
or Less Than Year-Round.
------------------------------------------------
Audit Services--Federal...... $171.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Audit Services--State........ $171.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
GFSI Certification Fee \2\... $250.00/audit .......... Oct 1, 2025.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meat Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 54--Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards)
Subpart A--Grading of Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products; Sec. Sec. 54.27-54.28 Charges for Service
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scheduled Grading............ $97.80 $122.25 $147.76 X Oct 1, 2025.
Unscheduled Grading.......... $123.00 $142.00 $166.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Scheduled Night Differential $108.43 $135.00 $147.76 X Oct 1, 2025.
(6 p.m.-6 a.m.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 62--Agricultural Marketing Service Audit Verification and Accreditation Programs (AVAAP)
Subpart E--Fees; Sec. 62.300 Fees and Other Costs of Service
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auditing Activities.......... $175.00 $244.00 $268.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poultry Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 56--Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs
Subpart A--Grading of Shell Eggs; Sec. Sec. 56.45-56.54 Fees and Charges
7 CFR Part 70--Voluntary Grading of Poultry and Rabbit Products
Subpart A--Grading of Poultry and Rabbit Products; Sec. Sec. 70.70-70.78 Fees and Charges
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scheduled Grading............ $78.66 $102.05 $123.31 X Oct 1, 2025.
Scheduled, Night Differential $87.17 $113.74 $123.31 X Oct 1, 2025.
(6 p.m.-6 a.m.).
Scheduled, Sunday $101.00 $129.69 N/A X Oct 1, 2025.
Differential.
Scheduled, Sunday and Night $112.70 $143.51 N/A X Oct 1, 2025.
Differential.
Unscheduled Grading.......... $114.80 $141.38 $170.08 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science and Technology Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 91--Services and General Information
Subpart I--Fees and Charges; Sec. Sec. 91.37-91.45
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laboratory Testing Services.. $125.00 $143.00 $161.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Laboratory Approval Services $188.00 $218.00 $249.00 X Jan 1, 2026
\1\.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 75--Provisions for Inspection and Certification of Quality of Agricultural and Vegetable Seeds
Sec. 75.41 General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laboratory Testing........... $79.00 $100.00 $125.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Administrative Fee........... $17.00/certificate .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Auditing Services............ $158.00 $184.00 $209.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Organization for Economic $0.44/100 pounds .......... July 1, 2025.
Cooperation and Development
Seed Schemes for Corn Seeds.
------------------------------------------------
Organization for Economic $0.36/100 pounds .......... July 1, 2025.
Cooperation and Development
Seed Schemes for Cotton,
Soybeans, Sunflower,
Sorghum, and Cereal Seeds.
------------------------------------------------
Organization for Economic $0.34/100 pounds .......... July 1, 2025.
Cooperation and Development
Seed Schemes for Other Seeds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 17760]]
Tobacco Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 29--Tobacco Inspection
Subpart A--Policy Statement and Regulations Governing the Extension of Tobacco Inspection and Price Support
Services to New Markets and to Additional Sales on Designated Markets;
Subpart B--Requirements; Sec. Sec. 29.123-29.129 Fees and Charges; Sec. 29.500 Fees and charges for
inspection and acceptance of imported tobacco
Subpart F--Policy Statement and Provisions Governing the Identification and Certification of Non-quota Tobacco
Produced and Marketed in Quota Area; Sec. 29.9251 Fees and Charges
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Permissive $55.00 $64.00 $72.00 .......... July 1, 2025.
Inspection and Certification
(re-grading of domestic
tobacco for processing
plants, retesting of
imported tobacco, and
grading tobacco for research
stations.).
------------------------------------------------
Export Permissive Inspection $0.0025/pound X July 1, 2025.
and Certification (grading
of domestic tobacco for
manufacturers and dealers
for duty drawback
consideration).
------------------------------------------------
Grading for Risk Management $0.015/pound X July 1, 2025.
Agency (for Tobacco Crop
Insurance Quality Adjustment
determinations).
------------------------------------------------
Pesticide Test Sampling $0.0065/kg or $0.0029/pound X July 1, 2025.
(collection of certified
tobacco sample and shipment
to AMS National Science
Laboratory for testing).
------------------------------------------------
Pesticide Retest Sampling $115.00/sample and $55.00/hour X July 1, 2025.
(collection of certified
tobacco sample from a
previously sampled lot for
re-testing at the AMS
National Science Laboratory;
fee includes shipping).
------------------------------------------------
Standards Course (training by $1,250.00/person .......... July 1, 2025.
USDA-certified instructor on
tobacco grading procedures).
------------------------------------------------
Import Inspection and $0.0170/kg or $0.0080/pound X July 1, 2025.
Certification (grading of
imported tobacco for
manufacturers and dealers).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rice Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 868--General Regulations and Standards for Certain Agricultural Commodities
Subpart A--Regulations; Sec. Sec. 868.91 Fees for certain Federal rice inspection services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract (per hour per $79.30 $119.00 $158.60 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Service representative) \3\.
Noncontract (per hour per $99.10 $148.70 $198.30 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Service representative) \3\.
------------------------------------------------
Export Port Services \4\..... $0.047/cwt .......... Oct 1, 2025.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection for quality (per lot, sublot, or sample inspection):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rough rice............... $69.20 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Brown rice for processing $65.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Milled rice.............. $57.70 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Factor analysis for any single factor (per sample):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milling yield (Rough or $54.00 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Brown rice).
------------------------------------------------
All other factors (all $41.90/factor .......... Oct 1, 2025.
rice).
------------------------------------------------
Total oil and free fatty $62.30 .......... Oct 1, 2025.
acid.
------------------------------------------------
Faxed and extra copies of $1.90/copy .......... Oct 1, 2025.
certificates.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stowage examination (service-on-request):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ship..................... $49.40 (per stowage space, minimum 5 spaces .......... Oct 1, 2025.
per ship)
------------------------------------------------
[[Page 17761]]
Subsequent ship $49.40 (per stowage space, minimum 3 spaces .......... Oct 1, 2025.
examinations. per ship)
------------------------------------------------
Barge.................... $51.60/examination .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
All other carriers....... $18.40/examination .......... Oct 1, 2025.
------------------------------------------------
Aflatoxin (Rapid Test $47.90/test .......... Oct 1, 2025.
Kit).
------------------------------------------------
All Other Mycotoxins $54.00/test .......... Oct 1, 2025.
(Rapid Test Kit).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Travel costs outside the United States will be added to the fee, if applicable.
\2\ Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Certification Fee--$250 per GFSI audit to recoup the costs associated
with attaining technical equivalency to the GFSI benchmarking requirements.
\3\ Original and appeal inspection services include Sampling, grading, weighing, and other services requested by
the applicant when performed at the applicant's facility.
\4\ Services performed at export locations on lots at rest.
II. The United States Warehouse Act Fees
The United States Warehouse Act (USWA) (7 U.S.C. 241-256) provides
for the licensing of public warehouse operators in the business of
storing agricultural products, examination of such federally licensed
warehouses, and collection of fees to sustain the operation and
administration of such efforts. Participation in USWA program is
voluntary. Participants may choose to obtain licensing under USWA to
meet State or other industry requirements. Warehouse examinations
provided by AMS examine the financial status of the operation, the
integrity of the commodities stored in licensed facilities, as well as
the facilities themselves.
This notice announces new fees for licensing and examining
warehouses storing export food aid commodities, grain, nuts,
sweeteners, wool, cotton, cottonseed and dry beans. The new fees will
be effective for fiscal year 2026 (FY 2026), which begins October 1,
2025. AMS is raising the license action fees, service license fees,
inspection fees, and annual user fees charged to licensed warehouses
over the current rates that have not been adjusted since 2019 (84 FR
37613). AMS finds it necessary to increase fees to meet projected costs
for administering the USWA program.
Fees must cover all expenses for USWA administrative services
including the maintenance of a sufficient operating reserve. Thus,
rates for USWA services for the 2026 fiscal year and beyond demonstrate
a remedial action to correct the budgetary shortfall for administration
of the program. USWA requires that AMS operate in an environment
suitable to affect the needs of the program and mitigate any funding
risks.
The fees reflect direct and indirect costs of providing services.
Direct costs include the cost of salaries, employee benefits, and, if
applicable, travel and some operating costs. Indirect or overhead costs
include the cost of AMS administrative activities supporting the
services provided to the industry. Program costs also include
maintaining an operating reserve and, depending on the balance in the
reserve, may provide for adding to or drawing down the reserve to
assure an appropriate balance is maintained.
Rates in this notice will be available at AMS' website, as required
by 7 CFR 869.4. A schedule of fees may also be requested by contacting
the Director, Warehouse and Commodity Management Division, Fair Trade
Practices Program, AMS, USDA at the following updated address: 805
Pennsylvania Avenue, Mail Stop 9148, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
2025/2026 Rates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States Warehouse Act Fees (effective October 1, 2025)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 CFR Part 869--Regulations for the United States Warehouse Act
Subpart A--General Provisions: Sec. 869.4 Fees
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton
------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Action Fee......................................... $95
Service License Fee........................................ $42
Inspection Fee (for each 1,000 bales) \1\.................. $100
Min.................................................... $200
Max.................................................... $2,000
Annual User Fee for each warehouse location with a CCC
storage agreement (licensed capacities in bales):
1-20,000............................................... $685
20,001-40,000.......................................... $903
40,001-60,000.......................................... $1,100
60,0001-80,000......................................... $1,307
80,001-100,000......................................... $1,722
100,001-120,000........................................ $2,056
120,001-140,000........................................ $2,402
140,001-160,000........................................ $2,747
[[Page 17762]]
160,001+............................................... $2,747
Per 5,000 bale capacity above 160,000 bales, or $69
fraction thereof......................................
Annual User Fee for each warehouse location without a CCC
storage agreement (licensed capacities in bales):
1-20,000............................................... $1,371
20,001-40,000.......................................... $1,807
40,001-60,000.......................................... $2,200
60,0001-80,000......................................... $2,614
80,001-100,000......................................... $3,444
100,001-120,000........................................ $4,113
120,001-140,000........................................ $4,804
140,001-160,000........................................ $5,495
160,001+............................................... $5,495
Per 5,000 bale capacity above 160,000 bales, or $138
fraction thereof......................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cottonseed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Action Fee......................................... $95
Service License Fee........................................ $42
Inspection Fee (for each 1,000 short tons) \1\............. $20
Min.................................................... $200
Max.................................................... $2,000
Annual User Fee (per 1,000 short tons, or fraction thereof) $20
Min.................................................... $797
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dry Beans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Action Fee......................................... $95
Service License Fee........................................ $42
Inspection Fee (for each 1,000 hundred weight) \1\......... $20
Min.................................................... $200
Max.................................................... $2,000
Annual User Fee (licensed capacity in hundredweight): ...........
100-90,000............................................. $980
90,001-150,000......................................... $1,371
150,001-300,000........................................ $1,775
300,001-450,000........................................ $2,168
450,001-600,000........................................ $2,556
600,001-720,000........................................ $2,939
720,001-900,000........................................ $3,343
900,001-1,200,000...................................... $3,741
1,200,001-1,500,000.................................... $4,124
1,500,001-3,000,000.................................... $4,512
3,000,000+............................................. $4,700
Per 1,000 hundredweight above 3,000,000, or fraction $1.55
thereof...............................................
Monthly Emergency Storage Fee per 10,000 Hundredweight \2\. $5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Export Food Aid Commodities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Action Fee......................................... $116
Service License Fee (per location)......................... $900
Inspection Fee (per location).............................. $1,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grain
------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Action Fee......................................... $95
Service License Fee........................................ $42
Inspection Fee (for each 10,000 bushels) \1\............... $20
Min.................................................... $200
Max.................................................... $2,000
Annual User Fee for each warehouse location with a CCC
storage agreement (licensed capacities in bushels):
1-150,000.............................................. $180
150,001-250,000........................................ $361
250,001-500,000........................................ $531
500,001-750,000........................................ $717
750,001-1,000,000...................................... $892
1,000,001-1,200,000.................................... $1,073
1,200,001-1,500,000.................................... $1,254
1,500,001-2,000,000.................................... $1,424
2,000,001-2,500,000.................................... $1,610
2,500,001-5,000,000.................................... $1,785
5,000,001-7,500,000.................................... $1,971
7,500,001-10,000,000................................... $2,152
10,000,001+............................................ $2,152
Per million bushels above 10,000,000, or fraction $58
thereof...............................................
Monthly Emergency Storage Fee per 50,000 Bushels. (Each $5
warehouse location with a CCC storage agreement) \2\......
[[Page 17763]]
Annual Fee for each warehouse location without a CCC
storage agreement (licensed capacities in bushels):
1-150,000.............................................. $361
150,001-250,000........................................ $722
250,001-500,000........................................ $1,063
500,001-750,000........................................ $1,435
750,001-1,000,000...................................... $1,785
1,000,001-1,200,000.................................... $2,147
1,200,001-1,500,000.................................... $2,508
1,500,001-2,000,000.................................... $2,848
2,000,001-2,500,000.................................... $3,220
2,500,001-5,000,000.................................... $3,571
5,000,001-7,500,000.................................... $3,943
7,500,001-10,000,000................................... $4,305
10,000,001+............................................ $4,305
Per million bushels above 10,000,000, or fraction $111
thereof...............................................
Monthly Emergency Storage Fee per 50,000 Bushels. (Each $10
warehouse location without a CCC storage agreement) \2\...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nuts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Action Fee......................................... $95
Service License Fee........................................ $42
Inspection Fee: \1\
Per 100 short tons of peanuts.......................... $9.90
Per 1,000 hundredweight................................ $18
Min.................................................... $200
Max.................................................... $2,000
Annual Fee for each warehouse location with a CCC storage
agreement (licensed capacities in short tons):
1-4,500................................................ $292
4,501-7,500............................................ $478
7,501-15,000........................................... $680
15,001-22,500.......................................... $871
22,501-30,000.......................................... $1,057
30,001-36,000.......................................... $1,238
36,001-45,000.......................................... $1,424
45,001-60,000.......................................... $1,610
60,001-75,000.......................................... $1,796
75,001-150,000......................................... $1,977
150,001-225,000........................................ $2,152
225,001+............................................... $2,250
Per 100 short tons capacity above 225,000 short tons, $1
or fraction thereof...................................
Annual Fee for each warehouse location without a CCC
storage agreement (licensed capacities in short tons):
1-4,500................................................ $584
4,501-7,500............................................ $956
7,501-15,000........................................... $1,360
15,001-22,500.......................................... $1,743
22,501-30,000.......................................... $2,115
30,001-36,000.......................................... $2,476
36,001-45,000.......................................... $2,848
45,001-60,000.......................................... $3,220
60,001-75,000.......................................... $3,592
75,001-150,000......................................... $3,954
150,001-225,000........................................ $4,294
225,001+............................................... $4,500
Per 100 short tons capacity above 225,000 short tons, $2
or fraction thereof...................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweeteners
------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Action Fee......................................... $95
Service License Fee........................................ $42
Inspection Fee: \1\........................................
Per 5,000 gallons of liquid............................ $7.50
Per 55,000 pounds of dry capacity...................... $7.50
Min.................................................... $200
Max.................................................... $2,000
Annual User Fee:
Per 5,000 gallons of liquid, or fraction thereof....... $7.50
Per 55,000 pounds of dry capacity, or fraction thereof. $7.50
Min.................................................... $797
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wool
------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Action Fee......................................... $95
Service License Fee........................................ $42
Inspection Fee (for each 100,000 pounds) \1\............... $20
Min.................................................... $190
[[Page 17764]]
Max.................................................... $1,900
Annual User Fee (per 100,000 pounds, or fraction thereof).. $20
Min.................................................... $797
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Inspection Fees are charged by Functional Unit.
\2\ The storage fee will be billed when the emergency storage action is
closed or annually if the storage remains active that over a year.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 15b; 7 U.S.C. 473a-b; 7 U.S.C. 55 and 61; 7
U.S.C. 51-65; 7 U.S.C. 471-476; 7 U.S.C. 511-511s; 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627
and 7 U.S.C. 241-256.
Melissa Bailey,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-07349 Filed 4-28-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P