APHIS to increase import permit fees and other veterinary service fees

[Laura Bies]

USDA Veterinary Services’s Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced that it will increase certain fees, including the fees to receive, amend or renew import permits. APHIS is required by law to charge fees for these services. The agency does not receive any Congressional appropriations to cover the cost of certain veterinary diagnostics or to provide import/export related services for animals, animal products and byproducts, birds, germplasm, organisms, and vectors, so the agency’s ability provide these services depends on user fees.

Last year, APHIS finalized a rule changing how the agency updates and display fees. Individual fees are no longer included in the official regulations, but are instead updated on an annual basis (through a Federal Register notice) and posted online.

Generally, the fees included in this week’s announcement are an increase from the current fees. According to the agency, these increases are based on several factors including: time, inflation, increase in subject matter expert workload, a shift in the level of work complexity, and trade and the general economy. The current fees were established in 2011 and 2012 using the best available 2009 data.

Comments on the proposed fees are due by 9 December 2024.

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APHIS Press Release

APHIS Proposes Updated Veterinary Services User Fees  

Contact:  APHISPress@usda.gov 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on proposed changes to its user fees for veterinary diagnostic goods and services, along with veterinary services for imports and exports of live animals and animal products.  

The proposed changes would ensure the fees APHIS charges more closely align with the costs of providing these services. They would also allow the Agency to improve customer service by hiring and training personnel and ensuring the availability of information technology needed to facilitate trade processes, such as issuing export health certificates. The notice and a full list of the proposed fees may be viewed in today’s Federal Register at here.  

APHIS has not adjusted its fees for veterinary services since 2012. In 2023, APHIS issued a final rule outlining a new process for updating user fees and rates. This is the first proposed fee adjustment using the new process.  

APHIS’ animal health import and export user fees cover significant activities across the country, including at border locations and quarantine facilities. These fees support personnel, facilities, and information technology systems. They also recover the costs of inspection and certification services for imports and exports of live animals, animal products, and animal byproducts as well as provide for veterinary diagnostic goods and services. APHIS does not receive appropriated funding to support these activities. 

Stakeholders have 30 days to review the proposed changes and provide comments. APHIS will then review the comments received, issue a final notice in the Federal Register, and post the new fees to the website. 

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