AMS Ends de Minimis Exemption for Cotton Import Fees

The Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule to end a de minimis exemption from marketing order assessments on importers of cotton (here). Under the agency’s rule, importers of cotton would no longer be exempt from paying assessments when the total assessed on any entry line is $2 or less. AMS said the exemption was originally put in place because the cost of collecting assessments was sometimes greater than the amount collected, but automation and other changes have decreased collection costs. The change is effective July 15