CBP to Pilot Automated Collections and Receipts for Maritime Processing Fees

CBP will test automated processing of maritime processing fees as part of a revenue modernization effort, the agency said (here). "These changes will enable CBP personnel to collect payment and issue electronic eReceipts quickly and efficiently, while providing the trade with the ability to pay maritime processing fees online," CBP said. Fees to be automated in the pilot include "Animal and Plant Health Inspection (APHIS) fees, CBP user fees (barge/bulk carriers and commercial vessel), Navigation fees and Tonnage Taxes, Special Tax and Light Money," CBP said in a frequently asked questions publication about the pilot (here). There will be two phases as part of the modernization, CBP said.

The first phase, set to being this spring, will include the "New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama and Los Angeles/Long Beach, California seaports of entry," CBP said. During that phase, new 368 and 1002 "electronic receipts for maritime processing fees will be emailed to owner/operators and designated vessel agents," it said. The new automated process will be known as Mobile Collections and Receipt, CBP said. Fees will still be paid in person during the first phase, CBP said.

The second phase, to start in the summer or fall this year, will add an "online payment option for vessel arrivals" at the same ports, it said. There will be online access to the "eReceipts" issued as part of the pilot, CBP said. The pilots are within a wider revenue modernization program "that will benefit the trade and travel industries and the U.S. economy by simplifying the collections process, providing modern electronic billing and payment options and creating operational efficiencies at the Ports of Entry," CBP said (here).

CBP is actively working with industry to improve revenue collection processing, CBP said (here). For example, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) offered some recommendations toward the effort earlier this month (see 1702270016). Among COAC suggestions highlighted by CBP are for discussions on "the feasibility of potential or proposed legislative changes needed to support Revenue Modernization" and the need for ongoing feedback solicitations "to determine what changes should be made during the pilot to adjust efficiency or address issues."