[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