Government Asks If Asking About Harbor Fees Is Worth It
Published Date: 11/26/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is bringing back the paperwork for the Harbor Maintenance Fee and wants your thoughts by December 26, 2025. This affects businesses that use ports and pay fees to keep harbors clean and safe. No big changes in cost, but they’re making sure the info they collect is clear and easy to handle.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Quarterly HMF Forms Reinstated
CBP is reinstating the paperwork for the Harbor Maintenance Fee using CBP Form 349 and CBP Form 350. Form 349 is estimated to have 846 respondents filing 4 times per year (0.5 hours per response, total annual burden 1,692 hours); Form 350 has 23 respondents filing 4 times per year (0.5 hours per response, total annual burden 46 hours). Recordkeeping is estimated for 869 respondents with 1 response each (0.166 hours, total annual burden 144 hours).
Harbor Maintenance Fee: 0.125% Charge
The Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) is charged at 0.125 percent of the value of commercial cargo loaded or unloaded at Army Corps–designated ports. CBP is required to collect the HMF from importers, domestic shippers, and passenger vessel operators; it also applies to the total ticket value of embarking/disembarking passengers and to cargo admissions into a Foreign Trade Zone under 19 CFR 24.24.
Electronic Filing Option Available
CBP Forms 349 and 350 are available at CBP's forms webpage and may be completed and filed electronically at www.pay.gov. CBP uses the information on these forms to verify that HMF payments are timely and accurate.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11566 — Accreditation and Approval of AmSpec, LLC (South Portland, ME) as a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory
AmSpec, LLC in South Portland, ME, is officially approved to measure and test petroleum products for U.S. Customs starting September 10, 2025. This means businesses dealing with petroleum can trust AmSpec’s work for the next three years, with the next check-up scheduled for 2028. No extra costs or changes for customers are expected—just reliable, official testing and gauging services.
2026-11564 — Accreditation and Approval of AmSpec, LLC (Mickleton, NJ) as a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory
AmSpec, LLC in Mickleton, NJ, just got the green light to measure and test petroleum products for U.S. Customs starting September 29, 2025. This approval lasts three years, helping ensure accurate fuel checks and smooth trade. Businesses dealing with petroleum can trust AmSpec’s certified skills, with the next review set for September 2028—no extra costs announced.
2026-11565 — Notice of Revocation of Customs Brokers' Licenses
Customs brokers who didn’t file their required status reports by February 29, 2024, had their licenses canceled automatically. This affects brokers across various U.S. ports, meaning they can’t legally work until they fix this. If you’re one of them, act fast to avoid losing business and money!
2026-11563 — Accreditation and Approval of AmSpec, LLC (Signal Hill, CA) as a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory
AmSpec, LLC in Signal Hill, CA, just got the green light to measure and test petroleum products for U.S. Customs starting November 20, 2025. This approval lasts three years, helping importers and exporters trust their fuel checks are spot-on. No extra costs or changes for businesses, but keep an eye out for the next inspection in November 2028!
2026-11113 — Tuna Tariff-Rate Quota for Calendar Year 2026 for Tuna Classifiable Under Subheading 1604.14.22, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
In 2026, the U.S. will allow up to 16.36 million kilograms of tuna in airtight containers to enter with a lower 6% tariff. If imports go over that amount, a higher 12.5% tariff kicks in. This affects tuna importers who need to watch their shipments from January 1 to December 31, 2026, to avoid extra costs.
2026-11019 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension; Cargo Manifest/Declaration, Stow Plan, Container Status Messages and Importer Security Filing
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is asking to keep collecting important shipping info like cargo manifests, stow plans, and container updates. This affects importers and shipping companies who must keep sharing these details to help keep trade safe and smooth. They want your feedback by August 3, 2026, but no new fees or big changes are coming—just an extension to keep things running.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-21133 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision; Customs Declaration (CBP Form 6059B)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is updating the Customs Declaration form (CBP Form 6059B) that travelers fill out when entering the U.S. They’re asking for public feedback by January 26, 2026, to make sure the form works well and isn’t too much hassle. This update helps keep travel smooth and efficient without adding extra costs or delays.
Next: 2025-21135 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension; Entry and Manifest of Merchandise Free of Duty, Carrier's Certificate and Release
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is asking to keep collecting info about duty-free shipments and carrier certificates for a bit longer. This affects businesses and carriers moving goods across borders, with no new fees or big changes—just a paperwork extension. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until December 26, 2025, to speak up!