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CBP Adjusts Customs User Fees for FY 2026 – Effective Oct. 1 (Reminder on Broker Permit Deadline)

Published July 30, 2025 • Updated Jan. 29, 2026

Key Points

  • CBP will raise various customs user fees by 34.331% due to inflation, which applies to all relevant shipments, entries, and arrivals on or after October 1, 2025.
  • This adjustment follows a 2.59% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) from June 2024 to May 2025.
  • Updated fees affect vessel arrivals, truck crossings, railcars, merchandise processing, customs broker permits, and more.
  • The Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) minimum and maximum change to $33.58 and $651.50, respectively, while the MPF rate remains at 0.3464%.
  • CBP's updated guidance, issued September 15, 2025, raises the Customs Broker Permit Fee from$180.57 to $185.38 for FY 2026.

  • Latest Update: CBP reminds customs brokers with active national permits to submit the $185.38 annual permit payment through the eCBP portal by January 30, 2026 to avoid automatic permit revocation.

American flag with a calculator, pen, and glasses representing U.S.-EU trade and economic analysis

E ffective October 1, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will increase customs user fees by 34.331% for Fiscal Year 2026 due to inflation. This adjustment, required by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, applies to fees under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and follows a 2.59% rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) from June 2024 to May 2025.

The minimum and maximum Merchandise Processing Fees (MPF) will rise to $33.58 and $651.50, respectively, but the MPF rate of 0.3464% on goods' value stays the same.

Reminder: 2026 Customs Broker Permit User Fee Deadline

CBP reminds customs brokers that payment of the annual Customs Broker permit user fee of $185.38 for 2026 is required by January 30, 2026 and applies to all active national permits.

Brokers must submit payment through the eCBP portal. CBP will accept 2026 user fee payments from December 2, 2025, through January 30, 2026. The portal accepts credit card and debit card payments, does not charge additional processing fees, and issues electronic receipts.

Failure to submit payment by the deadline will result in permit revocation by operation of law.

eCBP FAQs and Quick Reference Guides are available here:  https://www.cbp.gov/trade/ecbp

Previous Updates

On September 15, 2025, CBP issued an updated guidance increasing the Customs Broker Permit User Fee from $180.57 to $185.38 for FY 2026.

New Fees and Limits for FY 2026

The fee updates are presented in two tables below. Table 1 lists fees under 19 CFR 24.22, and Table 2 lists fees under 19 CFR 24.23, both reflecting the updated amounts.

Fees and Limits under 19 CFR 24.22

Table showing updated fees related to commercial vessel arrivals, barges, trucks, railcars, private vessels and aircraft, passenger arrivals, dutiable mail, and customs broker permits

Fees and Limits under 19 CFR 24.23

Table showing updated custom user fees for express consignment carriers, MPF minimums and maximums, informal entries, manual entry surcharges, and related charges.

Background and Fee Adjustment Process

  • The FAST Act requires CBP to update customs user fees annually to reflect inflation.
  • CBP compares the average CPI for the most recent year to the previous year; if there is an increase of more than 1%, fees must be adjusted.
  • For Fiscal Year 2026, the CPI increased by 2.59%, which requires an adjustment.
  • CBP used a formula outlined in its regulations to calculate a 34.331% inflation adjustment factor to apply to the base fees and fee limits established by law.
  • These adjusted fees and limits apply starting October 1, 2025.

What It Means for Importers and Brokers

  • The updated fees will apply to all relevant customs activities starting October 1, 2025.
  • This increase helps CBP cover its operating costs given inflation.
  • Importers and brokers should revise their budgets and client communications to reflect these higher fees and avoid surprises.
  • Although fee limits increase, the rate charged based on shipment value remains the same, moderating cost impacts.

Additional Information and Support

  • For questions, contact Kari Deppe, Assistant Director at CBP's User Fee and Reimbursable Controls Branch.
  • For eCBP technical issues,  contact Rev Mod Service Desk at revmodservicedesk@cbp.dhs.gov or 1-800-366-8732, Ext. 4670
  • For Federal Register notice questions, contact Broker Management Branch at brokermangement@cbp.dhs.gov

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