The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will increase user fees for the Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) program, effective October 1, 2024. The new fees will apply to all commercial cargo arriving at U.S. ports of entry. Read on to learn about the new fee structure.
The evolving commercial transportation landscape and increasing operational costs have led the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to increase user fees for the Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) program, effective October 1, 2024.
The new fees will apply to all passenger and commercial cargo arriving at U.S. ports of entry, including by ship, train, plane, or truck. While significant, adjustments to user fees are necessary to account for the increased costs associated with the growing size and scope of commercial transportation. The last update to the AQI user fees was in 2015.
The user fees will continue to increase every year until October 2027, according to the following structure:
AQI User Fee Category |
Current Fee |
October 2024 |
October 2025 |
October 2026 |
October 2027 |
| Commercial Vessel | $825.00 | $2,903.73 | $2,981.17 | $3,059.61 | $3,139.06 |
| Commercial Vessel-Great Lakes/Cascadia | N/A | $837.51 | $850.03 | $862.54 | $875.06 |
| Commercial Truck | $7.29 | $12.40 | $13.45 | $14.50 | $15.55 |
| Commercial Truck (Transporter) | $291.60 | $622.00 | $808.20 | $870.60 | $935.40 |
| Commercial Railroad Car | $2.00 | $6.51 | $7.23 | $7.97 | $8.72 |
| Commercial Railroad Car (Prepaid) | $40.00 | $312.48 | $347.04 | $382.56 | $418.56 |
| Commercial Aircraft | $225.00 | $281.39 | $300.78 | $320.61 | $340.90 |
| International Air Passanger | $3.83 | $3.71 | $3.84 | $3.98 | $4.12 |
| International Cruise (Sea) Passanger | $1.68 | $1.25 | $1.29 | $1.34 | $1.39 |
| Treatment Monitoring | $237.00 | $240.60 | $244.19 | $247.79 | $251.38 |
Source: APHIS
One significant amendment to the commercial transportation fees is the removal of the small aircraft exemption from the fee structure, which is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2025.
The AQI program, funded by user fees, was created to protect U.S. farms and forests from invasive pests and diseases. The changes aim to ensure that the program can recover the total costs of its safeguarding activities, as required by The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade (FACT) Act of 1990.
The AQI program, in collaboration with the CBP, plays a crucial role in inspecting cargo and baggage brought into the U.S. This inspection process is particularly important for U.S. importers and the commercial transportation industry, as it ensures that goods comply with regulatory standards and do not threaten domestic agriculture.
How Cole International can help you
As commercial transportation fees rise, U.S. importers and industry stakeholders must be aware of these changes and factor them into their trade operations.
At Cole International, we can help you navigate these fee changes, ensure your compliance with regulatory requirements, and help optimize your supply chain operations through our trade consulting and freight forwarding services.
Contact one of our trade professionals today to discuss how to mitigate the impact of these changing user fees on your business.