USDA Tweaks Cotton Import Fees to Keep Things Even
Published Date: 12/31/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting March 1, 2026, importers of cotton and cotton products will see a change in how their supplemental fees are calculated. The USDA is lowering the value assigned to imported cotton to match the fees paid on U.S.-grown cotton, keeping things fair. This update also refreshes the Import Assessment Table to reflect recent changes since 2024.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Importer assessment rate lowered
Starting March 1, 2026, the value used to calculate the supplemental assessment on imported cotton is set to 1.2388 cents per kilogram ($0.012388/kg), down from $0.013247/kg. That is a decrease of $0.000858 per kilogram and, if import volumes remain the same in 2025, the Cotton Board estimates importer assessments could fall by about $3,067,378.
Import Assessment Table updated
The Import Assessment Table (7 CFR 1205.510(b)(3)) is revised to reflect the new supplemental assessment and conversion factors, listing the new total cents-per-kilogram rates for affected Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers (for example, raw cotton HTS lines show 1.2388 cents/kg and multiple product HTS lines show updated rates such as 1.2933, 1.3040, 1.3444, etc.).
Organic imports may be exempt
Imported organic cotton and organic cotton products may be exempt from the assessment if they are eligible under 7 CFR 1205.519. Importers of organic cotton should check eligibility under that provision.
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