Updated 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 and/or fee range on a "per kilogram" basis.
100% Organic Products are Exempt from AMS Fees
- % organic products are exempt from AMS fees if the producer is a certified organic producer, the product is eligible to be labeled 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
According to AMS, current research and promotion programs for dairy products, fluid milk, eggs, lamb, peanuts, popcorn, and soybeans do not assess fees on imports.
Proposed New Fee for Dairy Products, Increase for Blueberries
On May 19, 2009, AMS issued a proposed rule to amend 7 CFR Part 1150 to implement a new assessment for dairy products at a rate of $0.75 per hundredweight of milk for commercial use, or the equivalent thereof, as mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419). Comments on the proposed rule were due June 18, 2009 and AMS is still in the process of reviewing them. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/27/09 news, 09052710, for BP summary of proposed rule.)
On July 27, 2009, AMS issued a proposed rule to amend 7 CFR 1218 to increase the assessment rate on certain producers and importers of blueberries from $12 per ton annually to $24 per ton. Comments on the proposed rule were due September 25, 2009 and AMS is currently reviewing them. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/28/09 news, 09072815, for BP summary of proposed rule.)
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 on February 18, 2009, AMS announced the results of its Request for Referendum among eligible pork producers and importers of hogs, pigs, pork, and pork products to determine if those persons wanted a referendum on whether the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order should continue. The results showed that too few pork producers and importers wanted such a continuance referendum. AMS press release (dated 02/18/09) on results of the Request for Referendum available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=LatestReleases&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5075401&dID=108249&wf=false&description=USDAAnnouncesResultsofPorkRequestforReferendum.)
1See ITT's Online Archives or 07/09/09 news, 09070935, for BP summary of AMS final rule increasing the cotton assessment effective August 7, 2009.
2See ITT's Online Archives or 12/07/09 news, 09120715, for BP summary of AMS final rule increasing the potato import and handler fee effective December 7, 2009.
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