A proposal to increase fees charged by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for the inspections it undertakes is being met by resistance from fresh produce importers. Those against the newly proposed fees feel it would be a huge financial burden and would negatively affect their ability to import many of the products consumers have been used to seeing in their supermarkets.“This new fee will affect all cargo arriving from countries where cold treatment is a requirement or fumigation is a requirement of entry” said Pat Compres of Advance Customs Brokers and Consulting. “That includes citrus from everywhere but Chile, grapes from Peru and Chile and all asparagus from Peru.” The increase in fees includes a charge for certain inspection and a new charge for Treatment calls as well as a higher rate charged for overtime services provided by APHIS.
Critics of the rate hikes argue that the new fees are unfair, with the increase in the overtime rate increasing by between 30 and 49 percent, and that the effect of the new rate structure will slow trade – especially when a commodity is hit with all of the new rates. Asparagus, for example, requires both fumigation and inspection services that necessitate overtime pay. That double hit could slow the importation of the commodity and negatively affect all who work with it.
“All asparagus from Peru requires treatment as a condition of entry, and Peru is the largest exporter of fresh asparagus into the U.S.,” said Compres. “So these fees will significantly impact imports.”
For more information:
Pat Compres
Advance Customs Brokers
pat@advancecustomsbrokers.com
www.advancecustomsbrokers.com