United States -
increased APHIS user fees

As of October 2000, APHIS user fees will be increased to USD 474.50.  For members' guidance, APHIS stands for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is part of the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

All vessels arriving at U.S. ports to load or discharge cargoes must pay APHIS user fees.  BIMCO maintains that the inspections are not related to a service provided to (or for) the vessel, but rather are aimed at protecting the Untied States from exotic pests and diseases not known to occur in the U.S., as described in the following summary of the purpose of these inspections:

"U.S. Department of Agriculture: this service is designed to protect the Untied States from all foreign plant pests and all animal diseases not know to occur in the United States.  Ships are boarded dockside, on arrival, and all produce and meats in sea stores are inspected.

If findings warrant, the use of this material is denied while in the territorial waters of the United States.  While in port, all garbage when removed must be transported in leak proof covered containers to an approved incinerator with the approval and under the supervision of a Plant Protection & Quarantine officer.

The transfer of sea stores also requires the approval and direct supervision of a Plant Protection & Quarantine officer.  All cargo is inspected and if inspection findings warrant, treatment is required.

Passenger baggage at marine terminals as well as international air terminals is inspected for restricted agricultural products.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture also provides a service for the certification of export cargo.  Plant products for export are inspected to see that they meet the import requirements of the importing country."

The APHIS user fess are collected by the U.S. Customs in accordance with an interagency agreement with APHIS.  The USDA does not necessarily inspect vessels on each arrival.  When inspected, all cargo is examined, in addition to ship's stores and waste facilities.  Regardless of whether or not vessels are inspected, the APHIS user fee must be paid on each arrival, subject to a cap of 15 calls per calendar year.

The type of cargo carried has absolutely no bearing on this charge.  Exempt from payment are: (i) vessels calling for bunkers, stores etc.; (ii) vessels in direct transit from Canada.  Taking the aforementioned points together, BIMCO feels that these fees can be considered ordinary port expenses. (ACL)

BIMCO WEEKLY NEWS - NO. 39 - 27 SEPTEMBER 2000