Fruits and veggies inspections: Now billed by the pound, not carload
Published Date: 1/29/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting March 20, 2025, new fees for inspecting imported fruits and veggies will kick in, switching from charging by carlot to charging by pound. This change cuts fees for extra smaller shipments in half and sets new rules for tiny lots. Importers, packers, and sellers should get ready for these updated costs and rules that help cover inspection expenses fairly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Import inspection fees shift to per-pound
Starting March 20, 2025, fees for Section 8e import inspections of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products will be charged by the pound instead of by carlot. The rule also cuts the fee for each additional sublot by 50 percent and creates a new fee calculation for lots smaller than a carlot. These revisions are meant to let the Agricultural Marketing Service recover inspection costs.
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