Treatment Monitoring Fee

Last Modified: October 03, 2024

The AQI program performs or monitors the fumigation or cold treatment of consignments of articles that require treatment upon arrival from a place outside the customs territory of the United States, either as a condition of entry or as a remedial measure ordered after inspection. Treatment monitoring fee regulations are listed in 7 CFR 354.3(h).

The Cost and What It Covers

The current treatment monitoring fee is $240.60 per treatment (see 7 CFR 354.3(h)). This fee will be adjusted on October 1^st of each year through Fiscal Year 2028 as specified in the AQI User Fees table. This fee covers the direct and indirect costs to conduct the treatment, monitor the treatment, or both. Treatments monitored on overtime will incur both the treatment monitoring fee and the reimbursable overtime fee.

Paying the Fee

When APHIS is not providing the AQI treatment and collecting the associated fee, the treatment provider performing the treatment is responsible for collecting and remitting the fees to APHIS, as described in 7 CFR 354.3(h). A Remittance Worksheet (522.89 KB) is available to assist with this process. Treatment monitoring fees are due within 31 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which the AQI user fees were collected as shown in Table 1. APHIS personnel run periodic reviews to verify compliance.

Table 1: Treatment Monitoring Fee Remittance Schedule

Quarter	Months of Collection	Due Date
1^st Quarter	January, February, March	May 1^st
2^nd Quarter	April, May, June	July 31^st
3^rd Quarter	July, August, September	October 31^st
4^th Quarter	October, November, December	January 31^st

How To Pay the Treatment Monitoring User Fee infographic (188.75 KB)

How To Set Up a Payment Account

To set up a payment account with APHIS’ Financial Management Division (FMD), send a completed New Account Packet – Treatment to the location indicated on the worksheet.

Companies need a separate APHIS account for each user fee type, such as international air passenger, treatment monitoring, reimbursable overtime, and other types.

AQI User Fee Tax Implications

AQI User fees may fall primarily into two business deduction categories: cost of goods sold and operational expenses. While entities should consult a licensed, certified or otherwise credentialed tax professional on appropriate treatment, the AQI user fee program created the following informational guide to inform stakeholders: Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection User Fees - Effects on Taxable Corporate Income (227.04 KB).

Recordkeeping and Record Retention

AQI user fee records retention requirements are outlined in 7 CFR 354.3(j). Entities responsible for paying AQI user fees and their agents must maintain sufficient documentation for APHIS and representatives to verify the accuracy of fee collections. This documentation must be maintained in the United States for a period of 5 years from the date of remittance calculation. Each entity shall provide to APHIS the name, address, and telephone number of a responsible officer who is able to verify any statements or records required to be filed or maintained and promptly notify APHIS of any changes in the identifying information previously submitted.

Reimbursable Overtime Services

Customers may request and receive AQI services associated with activities typically covered by an AQI user fee outside the normal tour of duty of the employee(s) providing the requested service. In such cases, overtime charges may be assessed as outlined in 7 CFR 354.1.

APHIS Reimbursable Overtime Services

Refer to the Reimbursable Overtime (ROT) Services section of the User Fees web page for additional information including how to pay the reimbursable overtime fee.

CBP Reimbursable Overtime Services

Any requests for agriculture reimbursable overtime will be made in accordance with CBP port policy. Please contact your local CBP Port of Entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can companies remit payments more frequently than specified in the remittance schedule (Table 1)?

While the regulations do not prohibit more frequent payment, remitting payments quarterly, as outlined in Table 1, minimizes administrative costs, stabilizes cash flows, and allows time to reconcile payments. We discourage payments any more frequently than monthly.