List of Commodities Subject to AMS Import Fees (Taxes)
Below is a current list of imported commodities that are subject to Agricultural Marketing Service research and promotion program import fees (also termed taxes or assessments). Such fees are usually paid to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon entry.
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The affected products are certain beef and beef products, blueberries, cotton and cotton-containing products, Hass avocados, honey and honey products, mushrooms, porcine animals and pork products, Irish potatoes, mangoes, sorghum, and watermelon.
These fees are also assessed on the domestically produced commodities. (Fees for certain domestically produced commodities may be refunded if the product is exported.)
This list has been compiled from 7 CFR and AMS source material. Where possible, Broker Power has provided the actual (or estimated) fee on a "per kilogram" basis.
100% Organic Products are Exempt from AMS Fees
- % organic products are exempt from AMS fees if a three-prong test is met, which includes the producer's certification as organic, the product's eligibility to be labeled as organic, etc. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/21/05 news, 05012125, for BP summary.)
Current AMS Fees for Imported Commodities
AMS Fees Do Not Apply to Certain Imports (New Fee Expected for Dairy Imports)
According to AMS, research and promotion programs for dairy products, fluid milk, eggs, lamb, peanuts, popcorn, and soybeans do not assess fees on imports.
However, AMS sources states that Section 1507 of the recently enacted Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) is expected to result in the implementation of a fee on imported dairy products that is $.075 per hundredweight of milk for commercial use or the equivalent thereof.
Certain Fee Programs are Inactive or Have Been Terminated
In addition, AMS research and promotion fee programs for the following products are currently inactive or have been terminated: canola and rapeseed, flowers and plants, fresh cut flowers and fresh cut greens, kiwifruit, limes, mohair, pecans, sheep, wheat, and wool.
(Note that in May 2008, AMS issued a notice announcing its intention to conduct a Request for Referendum among eligible pork producers and importers of hogs, pigs, pork, and pork products to determine if those persons want a referendum to continue the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order. See ITT's Online Archives or 06/04/08 news, 08060435, for BP summary.
Also note that in a 2002 CBP administrative message (Adm: 02-0402), CBP incorrectly listed the blueberries assessment rate as 0.013228 cents per kg (i.e., $0.00013228/kg. See ITT's Online Archives or 04/01/02 news, 02040115, for BP summary of CBP's message, which reflects this error.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/27/08 news, 08052720, for BP summary of the AMS establishing a new honey order, which includes an import tax, etc., effective May 22, 2008.
See ITT's Online Archives or 07/14/08 news, 08071499 7, for BP summary stating that on July 1, 2008 the sorghum order began collecting assessments from sorghum producers and importers.)
AMS Research and Promotion Programs Web site available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateB&navID=IndustryMarketingandPromotion&leftNav=IndustryMarketingandPromotion&page=IndustryMarketingAndPromotion&acct=AMSPW