Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is the subdivision of the United States Department of Agriculture. If the importer brought apparel or textiles made from cotton, it is likely that the importer was asked to pay a cotton fee. It may make the importer feel better about paying a cotton fee if that importer is aware about regulatory background of the charge.
Importers of cotton products are assessed a cotton fee as per Cotton Research and Promotion Act as outlined in 7 CFR 1205. The specific dollar amount to be assessed is determined by the HTS number and is addressed in 7 CFR 1205.510 (7 CFR 1205.510, Revised as of January 1, 2005). The assessment on imported cotton is $0.00862 (subject to change) per kilogram of imported cotton (multiple of conversion factor). For details refer to the Federal Register notice 68 FR 27898-27903 (May 22, 2003). The home of AMS’s cotton program is here.
Yet, another encounter possibility is the AMS COOL program. The program provides for labeling requirements of: muscle cut and ground meats (beef, veal, pork, lamb, goat, and chicken); wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; peanuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts; and ginseng. The home of COOl is here.
