Cotton Import Fee Increase

  Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A has reported that TheDepartment of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule that, effective Sept. 27, will increase the assessments paid by importers of cotton and cotton-containing products under the Cotton Research and Promotion Order. These assessments are being raised from $0.012665 per kilogram to $0.014109 per kilogram, reflecting an increase in the average weighted price of upland cotton received by U.S. farmers during calendar year 2011. The revenues generated by these assessments are used to finance research and promotion programs designed to increase consumer demand for upland cotton in the U.S. and international markets.

This rule also changes the Harmonized Tariff Schedule statistical reporting numbers on which such assessments are levied that were amended since the last assessment adjustment.