CBP Updates Information on User Fee Decals and Transponders (Reflects April 1 User Fee Increases; Certain Canada AQI Fees Still Scheduled for June 1)

(Though not yet reflected in this CBP document, effective June 1, 2007 commercial trucks and railroad cars entering the U.S. from Canada are scheduled to no longer be exempt from the APHIS agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) fees. See note below.)

Highlights of CBP's User Fee decal and transponders document are provided below:

User Fees for Commercial Vehicles, Private Vessels, Private Aircraft

CBP states that payment of certain User Fees is required if one:

Operates a vehicle for commercial purposes that enters the U.S.

Operates a private vessel that is 30 feet or more in length that enters the U.S. (CBP notes that in order to qualify as a private vessel requiring a decal, the vessel cannot carry passengers who pay a fare.)

Operates an aircraft, which is non-commercial and enters the U.S.

Annual User Fees

According to CBP, the 2007 Annual User Fees are as follows (Annual User Fees are for a calendar year, and are not pro-rated for purchases made mid-year):

Private Aircraft Decal - $25.00 per calendar year prior to April 1, 2007; $27.50 for all new and renewal applications received on or after April 1, 2007.

Private Vessel Decal (30 feet or more in length) - $25.00 per calendar year prior to April 1, 2007; $27.50 for all new and renewal applications received on or after April 1, 2007.

Commercial Vehicle Annual User Fee (no fee increases)¹ -

• Canadian Border - $205.00 per calendar year
• Mexican Border - $205.00 per calendar year

($100.00 for CBP; $105.00 for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).)

Commercial Vehicle Per-Crossing User Fee

Canadian Border - $5.00 per crossing prior to April 1, 2007; $5.50 on or after April 1, 2007.

Mexican Border - $10.25 per crossing prior to April 1, 2007; $10.75 on or after April 1, 2007.

(Note that the per-crossing user fee for commercial vehicles entering the U.S. is more expensive than those entering from Canada as Canada is currently exempt from the APHIS agricultural quarantine inspection (AQI) fees. However, effective June 1, 2007 commercial trucks and railroad cars entering the U.S. from Canada will no longer be exempt from the AQI user fee ($5.25). (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/27/07 news, 07022710, for BP summary of APHIS delaying these AQI fees until June 1.))

Information on Transponders, Decals, Applications, Refunds, and Payments Provided

CBP's document also provides information on applying online and by paper for User Fee decals (for private aircraft and private vessels) and transponders (stickers with electronic chips, for commercial vehicles), refund information, and payment information.

¹ CBP sources have previously stated that commercial vehicles that do not pay an Annual User Fee will be required to pay a per crossing user fee each time the vehicle enters the U.S. CBP further stated that if the vehicle's Annual User Fee is not renewed, the transponder will continue to transmit information at the port; however, a per-crossing user fee will be charged.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/31/07 news, 07013110, for BP summary of CBP final rule increasing the affected Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA) user fees effective April 1, 2007.

See ITT's Online Archives or 11/03/06 news, 06110340 1, for BP summary on the previous update of CBP's User Fee document which added information regarding newly approved Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) carriers.)

CBP contact - User Fee Help Desk (317) 298-1245

CBP document (updated 03/15/07) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee/user_fee_decal.xml