CBP adjusts merchandise processing fees

Customs and Border Protection is required under COBRA to annually adjust, if necessary, its various user fees to reflect changes due to inflation.

Photo credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has adjusted the amounts for its merchandise processing fees (MPF) for fiscal year 2020 to reflect changes due to inflation.

The agency said the MPF ad valorem rate of 0.3464% will not change. However, the MPF minimum and maximum for formal import entries (class code 499) will increase slightly.

The MPF is based on the value of the merchandise being imported, excluding duty, freight and insurance charges.

Starting Oct. 1, the MPF minimum will increase from $26.22 to $26.79, while the MPF maximum will rise from $508.70 to $519.76, CBP said.

CBP is required to annually review and adjust MPF and other user fees under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

Other CBP user fees that will change in fiscal year 2020 include informal entry or release (class code 311) ($2.14), surcharge for manual entry or release ($3.21) and dutiable mail feel (class code 496) ($5.89). The customs broker permit user fee will be $147.89.

A complete list of the CBP user fees is available here.

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Chris Gillis

Located in the Washington, D.C. area, Chris Gillis primarily reports on regulatory and legislative topics that impact cross-border trade. He joined American Shipper in 1994, shortly after graduating from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., with a degree in international business and economics.