User Fee Decal Program
Introduction
The Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 authorizes the U.S. Customs Service to collect fees on incoming commercial vehicles, private aircraft, and private vessels. You are required to pay the fee if:

• You operate a vehicle for commercial purposes that enters the United States. You may pay the per-crossing fee each time the vehicle enters, which is $5.00 if entering from Canada and $9.75 if entering from Mexico; or, you may pay the fee in the form of a decal, which is purchased annually and affixed to the vehicle. That vehicle can then enter an unlimited number of times during the calendar year.
• You operate a private aircraft, including a corporate aircraft, that enters the United States. In order to qualify as a private aircraft requiring a decal, the aircraft cannot carry passengers who pay airfare.
• You operate a private vessel that is 30 feet or more in length that enters the United States.

There is more detailed information related to the requirements of the User Fee Decal in 19 CFR 24.22

For 2003, the costs of the U.S. Customs User Fee Decal Program are as follows:

• Private Aircraft Decal $25.00(U.S.) Per calendar year
• Private Vessel Decal (30 feet or more in length) $25.00(U.S.) Per calendar year
• Commercial Vehicle Decal (Canadian Border) $100.00(U.S.) Per calendar year
• Commercial Vehicle Decal (Mexican Border) $195.00(U.S.) Per calendar year

Options for Applying for Decals

Online - Whether you are ordering decals for the first time, or you are renewing your decals, you can do so by applying online. If you prefer to use this method to renew your decals you should disregard the renewal package you will receive in the mail. Applying online is fast and easy, and the system is very user friendly. (To receive your order in 4 to 6 days, use a "ship to" address in the United States and select the overnight courier shipping option.)

Note: Your web browser must be set for 128 bit encryption to apply for decals online.

If you would like to apply for your 2003 decals online, please copy and paste the following link into your browser:

https://tradelinks.mellon.com/cgi-bin/tsmenu.pl/cstm

Or, click on "Apply Online for Decal" in the "on the web" section at the right of this screen.

• Beginning in September 2002, U.S. Customs will send User Fee Decal 2003 renewal applications to all customers who purchased calendar year 2002 User Fee Decals. The renewal form will list all the information the customer provided for the purchase of the 2002 decal. Instructions will be included for the completion of the application. Incorrect information should be revised and missing information provided on the preprinted renewal form. Customers who wish to receive 2003 decals for conveyances that did not have them in 2002 may include the new conveyances in the space provided on the renewal form. We recommend that applicants provide all information requested per the instructions to avoid our having to return the application without a decal. Please contact your local Customs office for free assistance if needed.
• If you do not receive a renewal application in the mail, you may obtain an Annual User Fee Decal Request Form (CF-339): (a) from a local U.S. Customs port, (b) by calling Decal Inquiries at (317) 298-1200, ext. 1245, or (c) by downloadable form via the forms links on the right side of this page.

All Information on the CF-339 Must be Complete. No abbreviations are permitted, except certain universally accepted address elements, i.e., state or province, street, drive, avenue, and the like. Applicants from Canada and Mexico should take care not to use abbreviations common only to their particular country as application processors may not be familiar with them. If your address is not clear, the issuance of the decals will be delayed.

Refunds
As indicated in previous years, there will be no refunds. Please ensure the accuracy of your order to avoid duplication. Once the decal has been issued, the transaction is final. You may be eligible for other options (See Exchanges).

Replacements
When a decal has been damaged because of repairs or repainting of the conveyance, the following documents must be submitted to get a replacement decal:

• A copy of the initial CF-339 returned to you with the decal number assigned.
• A copy of the repair or painting bill, signed by the company that performed the work, with the company's name and address on the signed invoice or letterhead. If your conveyance is:

• A signed statement with a brief explanation of the circumstances that required the repair or repainting, with a contact name and telephone number.

Exchanges
Each decal is assigned to a specific conveyance, and therefore cannot be transferred to another one. U.S. Customs will issue a new decal at no charge for a different conveyance if a written request is postmarked no more than 30 days after the original decal was issued. The following items must be submitted with this request:

• The CF-339 returned to you with the decal numbers assigned,
• The unused decals, and
• A new CF-339 for the conveyances that will be assigned a new decals

Payment
PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO U. S. CUSTOMS AND DRAWN ON A UNITED STATES BANK IN U.S. DOLLARS. FUNDS DRAWN ON A FOREIGN BANK IN U.S. FUNDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. PAYMENTS THAT DO NOT MEET THIS CRITERION WILL BE RETURNED WITH THE APPLICATION TO THE APPLICANT UNPROCESSED. CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH VISA, MasterCard, American Express OR DISCOVER.

Delivery Options
There are various mailing options available for the delivery of decal orders. The applicant is responsible for the cost of the optional shipping method requested. Selection of the optional shipping method will require a second payment instrument or an additional charge to the credit card for the additional cost involved. Applications will be returned when there is only one payment instrument for the decal order and the optional shipping costs. As used below, the term "per application" for the purpose of determining shipping costs is defined as the same name and "ship to" address for all the decals requested, regardless of quantity.

If your "ship to" address is within the United States, your shipping options are:

1. Standard first class mail. This will be the method used to ship your decal order, unless you select the overnight shipping option. U. S. Customs will provide first class mail service at no cost to the customer.
2. Overnight courier, usually Airborne Express. There is an additional cost of $6.00 per application for this service, and it will require 2 payment instruments; 1 for the decals, and 1 for the shipping. If a credit card is the method of payment, Customs will place 2 charges against the card; 1 for the decals, and 1 for the shipping.

If your "ship to" address is located in Canada, your shipping options are:

1. Standard first class mail. This will be the method used to ship your decal order unless you select the priority option. U. S. Customs will provide first class mail service at no cost to the customer.
2. The U.S. Postal Service's Global Priority Mail (airmail 3 to 5 days). This may be used for Canadian "ship to" addresses. There is an additional cost of $4.00 per application for this service, and will require 2 payment instruments; 1 for the decals, and 1 for the shipping. If a credit card is the method of payment, U.S. Customs will place 2 charges against the card; 1 for the decals, and 1 for the shipping.

If your "ship to" address is located in Mexico, your shipping options are:

1. Standard first class mail. This will be the method used to ship your decal order unless you select the registered mail option. U.S. Customs will provide first class mail service at no cost to the customer.
2. The U.S. Postal Service's Registered Mail. This may be used for Mexican "ship to" addresses. There is an additional cost of $8.00 per application, and will require 2 payment instruments; 1 for the decals, and 1 for the shipping. If a credit card is the method of payment, Customs will place 2 charges against the card; 1 for the decals, and 1 for the shipping.

Applicants requesting "ship to" addresses not located in the United States, Canada, or Mexico will receive their decal orders via the U.S. Postal Service's first class mail, paid for by U.S. Customs. It is permissible to designate a "ship to" address within the United States, even though your residence or business address is elsewhere. This will allow you to request the overnight courier option available for an U.S. address, if you wish.

Quick Service
Applicants who wish to expedite the processing of their applications should use a credit card or money order for the payment, should provide a "ship to" address that is located in the United States, and should take advantage of the optional delivery method. The "ship to" address may be different from the residence or business address.

First Choice:
for decals online via the Internet is quick because electronic processing is utilized. This is also the most accurate option for applying. To receive your order in 4 to 6 days, you may use a "ship to" address in the United States and select the optional shipping method. To use this method, please click on the Apply Online for Decal link on the right side of this page under on the web.

Second Choice:
To receive a decal within 5 to 7 days, you may FAX your application to (412) 234-3541, using a credit card for payment, indicating a "ship to" address in the United States, and selecting the optional overnight courier shipping method for U.S. addresses.

If, instead, applicants opt to use first class mail, a check for payment, and/or a "ship to" address outside the United States, it may take 3 to 6 weeks before the decals are received.

Mailing Addresses
Decal applications not submitted online or by FAX must be mailed to the Decal Administrator in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In an emergency, a limited number of ports will issue a maximum of five decals. In this instance, we recommend you contact the local Customs office to determine if your request can be accommodated.

Please mail your completed Customs Form CF-339 with payment to:

Required Information
Commercial Vehicle: A company or owner name, address, telephone number, make, year, and VIN.

Vessel: Company or owner name, address, telephone number, manufacturer's name, vessel name, year, and U.S. Coast Guard documentation number. If a Coast Guard documentation number is not available, then a local registration number is required. If neither a Coast Guard number nor a local registration number is available, then the hull identification number is required.

Aircraft: Company or owner name, address, telephone number, manufacturer's name, year, and tail number.

A decal will not be issued if any of the required information is missing. Please review your application carefully, and be sure that your payment is correct for the number and types of decals requested. Incomplete applications or applications that do not match the amount of the payment will have to be returned to you for correction, and we will use first class mail only.

Inquires
Questions should be directed to Decal Inquiries at (317) 298-1200, extension 1245, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, or via email at decals@customs.treas.gov