FAS Issues Final Rule On Dairy TRQ Import Licensing Program

In the July 27, 2015, Federal Register, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service ("FAS") issued a final rule amending the regulation providing for the issuance of licenses to import certain dairy articles under tariff-rate quotas ("TRQs") as set forth in the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The three most significant changes to the rule are to: (i) suspend the historical license reduction provision that was set to expire with the beginning of quota year 2016 for an additional seven years; (ii) modify procedures for collecting licensing fees in order to better align the fee collection to the costs of administering the program; and (iii) exclusively use electronic communications in the application, reporting, and payment processes. Final rule is effective September 1, 2015.