Fees for Official Inspection and Weighing Services Under the United Stated Grain Standards Act

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS or the Service) is revising the fee schedule for official inspection and weighing services performed under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. Specifically, this interim rule announces the new rates for the remainder of fiscal year 2024, and until such time as new fees are set by a final rule. AMS intends to follow this rulemaking with a notice of proposed rulemaking establishing a new regulatory fee formula. The necessary and immediate changes to the current fees will prevent FGIS cessation of services due to insufficient required funding and, most urgently, avoid significant negative impacts to the $54 billion grain export industry. This interim rule will allow FGIS to fully recover the actual costs of providing services and re-establish a 3- to 6-month operating reserve, consistent with the USGSA, and, in doing so, ensure uninterrupted essential grain inspection services that enable U.S. companies to continue exporting and marketing U.S. grain around the world.