U.S. CUSTOMS TO INCREASE RATES FOR INSPECTIONAL SERVICES

USPS OFFERS PROOF OF DELIVERY SERVICE    U.S. Customs has proposed increasing the rate of charge for reimbursable Customs inspectional services to 158 percent of an employee's regular pay, up from 137 percent of the hourly rate as currently computed.
   Customs, under certain circumstances, provides inspectional and supervisory services to parties-in-interest who require such services during regular hours of duty or on Customs overtime assignments. Under these conditions, the private interest is required to reimburse the government for the Customs employee's compensation.
   A recent audit of Customs' inspectional services by the Treasury's Office of the Inspector General determined the 137-percent rate does not represent full reimbursement for actual inspectional service costs. The current formula uses two out-dated cost factors, the OIG said: the number of legal public holidays and the ratio of employer paid benefits to an employee's salary.
   Customs will take written comments on the proposed regulation through April 2. Comments may be addressed to U.S. Customs Service, Office of Regulations and Rulings — Regulations Branch, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20229. For additional information, contact Dennis Lomax, Accounting Services Division, Office of Finance, at (317) 298-1200, ext. 1404.