USDA Hikes Fees for Inspecting Your Steak and Cotton
Published Date: 4/30/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting May 1, 2026, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is updating the fees it charges for grading, inspecting, and testing farm products like meat, fruits, and cotton. Some fees are going up to cover rising costs, while others stay the same. Warehouse service fees for fiscal year 2027 won’t change, so businesses can plan ahead with confidence.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
AMS User Fees Updated Starting May 1, 2026
Starting May 1, 2026, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is updating the fees it charges for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing, and laboratory services. The notice says some user fee rates are being increased to cover rising costs, while other rates remain unchanged.
Laboratory Testing and Approval Fees Increased
AMS sets laboratory service rates effective October 1, 2026, with Laboratory Testing Services at $128 (regular), $146 (overtime), and $164 (holiday) per hour. Laboratory Approval Services are listed with rates of $188 (regular), $218 (overtime), and $249 (holiday) effective January 1, 2027.
Commodity Grading Rates Set for 2026/2027
AMS publishes specific per-hour and per-unit rates for many commodity programs effective mostly October 1, 2026 (examples include dairy continuous resident grading at $95 regular/$116 overtime/$137 holiday per hour; specialty crop lot inspections at $267 per lot; meat scheduled grading at $101 regular/$126 overtime/$152 holiday per hour; poultry scheduled grading at $81 regular/$105 overtime/$127 holiday per hour; rice contract representatives at $79.30 regular per hour).
Warehouse Fees Unchanged for FY2027
For fiscal year 2027 (which begins October 1, 2026), fees charged under the United States Warehouse Act will remain unchanged from last year. Examples listed in the notice include a License Action Fee of $95 and a Service License Fee of $42, with detailed inspection and annual user fee schedules effective October 1, 2026.
Cotton Classification and Grading Rates Set
AMS sets cotton classification and grading fees with specific per-bale and per-sample charges and start dates: for example, Futures certification is $4.75 per bale effective August 1, 2026; Form 1 grading services are $3.05 per bale effective July 1, 2026; and various other form, sample, and service fees have listed rates and effective dates in July and August 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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