American Pecan Promotion Board (APPB) 

Q&A

Updated October 1, 2021

Who pays for the APPB assessment? 

Producers and importers who produce and import, on average over the past four years, more

than 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans and 25,000 pounds of shelled pecans pay the APPB 

assessment. Handlers will remit assessments on behalf of the producers. Importers will remit 

their own assessments. 

Did the assessments start on October 1, 2021? 

Yes, but the assessments are not due until November 10, 2021. 

How do I pay my assessment for the APPB?

Currently the APPB is getting together the pieces necessary to receive payments for 

assessments. Stay tuned for updates on this. Once everything is in place, handlers and 

importers will fill out a form, and, along with their checks, mail it to the APPB at a provided 

address. 

Will Customs collect assessments on imports? 

Customs is not collecting assessments for the APPB at this time. Once the APPB is ready to 

receive assessments, importers, like domestic producers, will fill out a form and mail it with a 

check to the APPB. 

Where can I get the assessment forms and how will I be notified of updates? 

Forms for collections and updates will be posted to the AMS website. A letter to producers, 

handlers and importers will also be distributed. https://www.ams.usda.gov/rulesregulations/research-promotion/pecan

Can I pay my APPB assessment through the American Pecan Council’s (APC) portal?

No. APPB and APC are different entities with different collection requirements. APC will not 

collect assessments on behalf of the APPB. You will need to remit the assessments separately. 

Will the total that I pay in assessments to the APPB and the APC change? 

The APPB’s assessment rate is $.02 per pound for inshell pecans, and $.04 per pound for shelled 

pecans. The APC’s assessment rate is still $.03 but is working to reduce the assessment to $.01. 

Contact APC staff for an update on the changes to the assessment. 

What is the difference between the APPB and APC?

See the chart below for an explanation of the differences between the two groups.
What information do I need to provide when I remit my assessments to the APPB? 

The Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order requires the following: 

§ 1223.60 Reports.

a) Each first handler, producer, or importer subject to this subpart shall be required to provide 

to the Board periodically such information as required by the Board, with the approval of 

the Secretary, which may include but not be limited to the following: 

1) First handler must report or producer acting as its own first handler: 

i. Number of pounds handled; 

ii. Number of pounds on which an assessment was collected; 

iii. Name, address and other contact information from whom the first handler has 

collected the assessments on each pound handled; and 

iv. Date collection was made on each pound handled.

2) Unless provided by Customs, importer must report: 

i. Number of pounds imported; 

ii. Number of pounds on which an assessment was paid; 

iii. Name, address, and other contact information of the importer; and 

iv. Date assessment was paid on each pound imported. 

b) These reports shall accompany the payment of the collected assessments.

How do I request an exemption from paying the assessment? 

If you produce or import, on average over the past four years, less than 50,000 on inshell 

pecans or 25,000 shelled pecans, or are certified USDA organic, you are eligible to be exempt 

from paying the APPB assessment. To request an exemption, you will submit a form on an 

annual basis to the Board. Like the other forms, the form will be available at the AMS website: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/pecan. 
Comparison Chart Between the Pecan Marketing Order and the Pecan Research 

and Promotion 

Name American Pecan Council (APC) American Pecan Promotion 

Board (APPB)

Type of Organization Federal Marketing Order Research & Promotion Program

Authorizing Statute Agricultural Marketing 

Agreement Act of 1937, as 

amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674.)

Commodity, Promotion, 

Research, and Information Act of 

1996 (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425)

Order Pecans grown in AL, AR, AZ, CA, 

FL, GA, KS, LA, MO, MS, NC, NM, 

OK, SC, (7 CFR 986)

Pecan Promotion, Research, and 

Information Order (7 CFR 1223)

Board 17 Members & Alternates – 9 

growers, 6 shellers, 1 

accumulator, & 1 public member

17 Members – 10 producers & 7 

importers

Authorities Regulating 

Handling 

Grade, size, qualities, pack, and 

inspection

No authority

Authorized Programs Promotion and Research, 

including paid advertising

Promotion, research, and 

information

Import assessment 

collection

No Yes

Who Pays Assessment Handlers Producers are assessed and the 

assessment is collected by first 

handlers. Importers also pay the 

assessment

Assessment Rate $0.03 per pound for pecans 

classified as improved, $0.02 per 

pound for pecans classified as 

native and seedling, and $0.02 

per pound for pecans classified as 

substandard pecans

$0.02 per pound on all inshell 

pecans and $0.04 per pound on 

all shelled pecans

Exemptions Less than 1,000 inshell lbs. and 

500 shelled lbs.; Relief or charity 

and experimental purposes.

Less than 50,000 lbs. inshell and

25,0000 lbs. shelled on a 4-yr avg; 

USDA-certified organic

USDA Oversight Southeast Region Branch, Market 

Development Division, Specialty 

Crops Program, Agricultural 

Marketing Service, Marketing & 

Regulatory Programs

Mid-Atlantic Region Branch, 

Market Development Division, 

Specialty Crops Program, 

Agricultural Marketing Service, 

Marketing & Regulatory 

Programs

Government User Fees

Assessed

No Yes