[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55846-55847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28489]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Customs Service
Fee for Customs Services at User Fee Airports
AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.
ACTION: General notice.
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SUMMARY: This document advises the public of an increase in the fee
charged for Customs services that are made available at user fee
airports pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 58b. The fee reflects the annual cost of
providing one Customs inspector at a user fee airport on a full-time
basis. The increase in the annual fee is necessary to cover all costs
currently incurred by Customs in providing inspectional services at
user fee airports, as mandated by the statute.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The new fee is effective October 1, 1997, and will be
reflected in quarterly user fee airport billings issued on or after
that date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerald Ross, Office of Finance (202-
927-0123).
[[Page 55847]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 236 of the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-573,
98 Stat. 2992), as amended (codified at 19 U.S.C. 58b), authorizes the
Secretary of the Treasury to make Customs services available and charge
a fee for the use of such services at certain specified airports and at
any other airport, seaport, or other facility designated by the
Secretary pursuant to criteria set forth in the statute. The statute
further provides that the fee charged thereunder shall be in an amount
equal to the expenses incurred by the Secretary in providing the
Customs services at the airport, seaport, or other facility, including
the salary and expenses of individuals employed by the Secretary to
provide the Customs services.
The Commissioner of Customs has designated a number of airports
within the United States as ``user fee airports'' pursuant to the
authority set forth in 19 U.S.C. 58b which has been delegated by the
Secretary of the Treasury to the Commissioner. Section 122.15 of the
Customs Regulations (19 CFR 122.15) concerns user fee airports and
includes a list of designated user fee airports. Although there are no
other provisions within the Customs Regulations that deal specifically
with user fee airports, each Memorandum of Agreement between the
concerned airport authority and Customs, under which each user fee
airport is established, sets forth the responsibilities of both Customs
and the airport which include an agreement by airport to pay a flat
annual fee (established at $74,905 for Fiscal Year 1997 which ended on
September 30, 1997) to cover the salary and benefits costs of one full-
time inspector, plus any related costs for travel, transportation, per
diem and cost-of-living allowances, and an agreement by Customs to
provide 8 hours of service per day, Monday through Friday, for a total
of 40 hours. Each Memorandum of Agreement further provides for an
increase in the annual fee as may be necessary to reflect any increase
in the costs to Customs for providing the services, as required by the
statute.
Adjustment of Annual User Fee Airport Fee
Based on a review of the annual fee charged in Fiscal Year 1997
with reference to the actual salaries and expenses for Customs
personnel assigned to user fee airports as of April 30, 1997, Customs
has determined that the annual fee should be increased to $78,500 in
order to reflect the true costs to Customs in providing Customs
services at user fee airports. The new annual fee is effective October
1, 1997, and will be reflected in quarterly user fee airport billings
issued on or after that date.
Dated: October 22, 1997.
Vincette L. Goerl,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Finance.
[FR Doc. 97-28489 Filed 10-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P