CBP rate increase hits GA airports

CBP announced the rate increase with little notice before the May 17 implementation deadline. CBP changed its charges for customs services “from a flat rate to full recovery billing” at about 60 user-fee-funded airports because “payroll costs have outstripped revenue,” Politico reported in its Morning Transportation newsletter.

The increase ranges from 29 percent to 54 percent at the airports, the aviation groups said, adding that the airports had little time to either accept the rate increase or reduce or terminate CBP service at their airports for the next quarter. The groups explained that the airports are often governed by an airport board or city council that must approve fee changes before they can be implemented, and that the tight time frame could make that impossible. In addition, airports are already hard hit because of reduced traffic, including international travel, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“CBP should also take into consideration the significant consequences to airports of losing their ability to serve international traffic, a significant lifeline for many local economies,” the groups said in a letter to CBP Acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan.

Some airports have opted to temporarily reduce or terminate CBP services July to September, and AOPA requested a list of those airports. CBP responded to AOPA in June, stating that of the 63 airports affected, 49 are continuing with services as normal at the increased rate, 10 are suspending services for the quarter only, and four have not notified CBP of their plan to move forward. Citing federal law, CBP said it cannot disclose the individual airport’s decision. Because a list of airports that opted to suspended or reduce services between July and September is unavailable, operators should call ahead to verify that customs will be available at their destination airport during their planned time of arrival.