SUBJECT: Agriculture Reimbursable Overtime
The purpose of this trade notice is to inform the trade community of services that will become available to expedite the movement of agriculture commodities at ports of entry. Agriculture reimbursable overtime is authorized to be worked at ports of entry when specifically requested by entities/importers/brokers that require services for the inspection, the conduct or supervision of prescribed remedial actions, and/or safeguarding of agriculture commodities being imported into the U.S.
In compliance with Government Accountability Office(GAO) -13- 268 which recommended that ports consistently charge for services eligible for reimbursement and that reimbursable service be denied to entities with bills more than 90 days past due, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has established the following policy.
Beginning June 1,2014, and until further notice, CBP will offer agriculture reimbursable overtime services which will be worked exclusively by CBP Agriculture Specialists in accordance with authority derived from 7 CFR§354. Any requests for agriculture reimbursable overtime will be made in accordance with port policy and CBP will require reimbursable overtime payment in accordance with existing regulations.
For questions regarding agriculture reimbursable overtime related to this trade notice and/or to address any CBP service related issue please contact Supervisory Agriculture Specialist Kendall Gaines at 504-623-6667.
