The Nation - News from May 12, 1986

Starting in the peak summer tourist season, the U.S. Customs Service plans to begin charging $5 per person for inspecting the luggage of travelers entering the United States by plane or ship, the agency announced. The fees, authorized by legislation passed by Congress last year and signed by President Reagan last month, will be collected starting July 7, the Customs Service said. Fees will not be levied on passengers arriving from Canada, Mexico, Caribbean countries or U.S. territories. The charges, expected to earn $220 million a year, are needed to cope with the workload increase, the agency said.