Single Comment Derails Cotton Import Fee Cuts: USDA Backs Off
Published Date: 3/2/2026
Rule
Summary
The USDA planned to lower the fees on imported cotton to match those on U.S. cotton, but after getting a big negative comment, they decided to cancel that change. This means importers won’t see any new fee adjustments for now, keeping things steady until further notice. The withdrawal took effect on February 26, 2026, so everyone involved should stay tuned for updates.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Planned Import Fee Cut Withdrawn
The USDA withdrew the December 31, 2025 direct final rule that would have lowered the value assigned to imported cotton for calculating supplemental assessments. Because the withdrawal is effective February 26, 2026, importers will not see that assessment decrease and assessments on imported cotton remain unchanged until further notice.
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