USDA AMS Increases Inspection Fees

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently announced increases in the agency’s charges for voluntary inspection services for a wide variety of products. The new fees for processed fruits and vegetables will be effective October 1, 2017. The fee for lot inspections will increase from $75 per hour to $95 per hour, with holiday pay of $116 per hour. The fee for in-plant inspections under contract will increase from $72 per hour to $92 per hour, with holiday pay of $112 per hour. The overtime rate for both lot and in-plant inspectors remains at 1.5 times the regular rate.  If you need additional seasonal graders, the charge will increase from $83 per hour to $10 per hour. The cost of laboratory services will increase from $88 per hour to $104 per hour. There will be no change in the charge for auditing services, which will remain at $108 per hour. USDA stated that it has not raised fees in several years and needs to make the changes to cover increased labor costs. Questions about the fees or the inspection program should be directed to Sonia Jiminez of AMS via e-mail at Sonia.jiminez@ams.usda.gov.