Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act: Increase in License Fees

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is amending the regulations issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA or Act) to increase license fees. Specifically, annual license fees of $550 are increased to $995. Fees for branch locations are increased from $200 for branch locations in excess of nine, to $600 for each branch location. The maximum amount a licensee will pay per year has increased from $4,000 to $8,000. Additionally, the regulations have been amended to remove the provisions to phase out license fees by retailers and grocery wholesalers and the provisions to phase in triennial license renewal for retailers and grocery wholesalers as these processes have been completed. Finally, the regulations have been amended to eliminate the multi-year license renewal option for commission merchants, brokers, and dealers.