Inflation Sparks FMC Fee Hikes

Higher staff salaries & electronic filing upgrades take a toll on agency costs; fee bumps up to 650%

The Federal Maritime Commission is raising user fees to 650% due to higher costs for staff salaries, inflation, and an electronic filing upgrade. The price to apply for a freight forwarder or non-vessel operating standard carrier license jumped 422%, from $250 to $1,304, while changes to an existing permit increased 654%, from $125 to $943.

The Commission stated that, despite the 2022 update to user fees being two years later, they are using FY2022 salary and cost data to provide the most precise estimate of fees. This three-year gap has caused prices to increase significantly due to inflation and updating fees to reflect current costs. 

In explaining the OTI fee jump, FMC pointed out that it had completed the transition to an electronic application process. The user fees have been updated to reflect the service’s actual cost. Expenses associated with “rules of practice and procedure,” such as filing formal complaints & small informal claims, will receive a boost (e.g., formal complaint filing fee, now $387, up 34% from $288). All FMC claims for relief or other affirmative action must be accompanied by a $450 filing fee (up 47% from $306). A common carrier or shipper seeking permission to refund or waive the collection of a portion of freight charges must pay a $187 filing fee (up 63% from $115). The only fees being adjusted downward are those associated with documents needing FMC certification and validation (down 16% to $93) and applications for admission to practice before the FMC (down 5% to $195).

Despite increases, the FMC expects the fee adjustments to be noncontroversial and thus should have provided notice and comment before issuing the rule (scheduled to take effect June 5). However, FMC will consider any comments filed before April 20 and may withdraw the rule by May 5 if “significant adverse comments” are received.

Sources: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/inflation-triggers-major-user-fee-increases-at-fmc