Getting Started with Marine Invasive Species Fee

Application of Fee

The marine invasive species fee is collected from either the owner, operator, or the marine agent acting on behalf of the owner or operator of each vessel that arrives at a California port, place from a port, or place outside of California.

We work with the California Marine Exchanges (CMEs) to:

  • Identify daily arrivals of vessels into California ports, and
  • Determine which vessel voyages are subject to the fee;

We then:

  • Establish account numbers for the owner or operator of these vessels,
  • Mail a notice of the amount due to the vessel's owner or operator, and
  • Mail a copy of the notice to the marine agent of record for the arrival.

Registration

There is no online registration process for the Marine Invasive Species Fee program.

We work with the CMEs to identify daily arrivals of vessels into California ports from a port or place outside of California. Any vessel owners or operators identified by the CMEs as being subject to the fee, are registered and issued account numbers with us.

If you would like more information on the Marine Invasive Species Fee Program, visit the State Lands Commission website or contact them by telephone at 1-916-574-1900.

Fee Rate

The Marine Invasive Species Fee is imposed on each vessel per qualifying voyage that arrives at any California port from a port or place outside of California. The fee is set by State Lands Commission regulation, and may not exceed $1,000 per voyage, plus adjustments for inflation every two years.

Visit the Tax Rates — Special Taxes and Fees page to view current and historical fee rates. Rates for the Marine Invasive Species Fee program are set by regulation by the State Lands Commission (2 CCR Section 2271).

Billing and Payment

The marine invasive species fee is due within 30 days from the date the Notice of Determination (billing) was mailed to be considered timely. The billings for the marine invasive species fee are mailed to the vessel owner or operator of record, as it is their responsibility to make the payment for the amount due. We will send a copy of the billing to the marine agent of record. This will allow the marine agent to make the payment for the amount(s) due on behalf of the vessel owner or operator.

Make a Payment — You may submit your payments through our online services system. Log in using your username and password and select the account for which you want to make a payment. Under the I Want To section, select the Make a Payment link and follow the prompts.

Additional Payment Options — Visit our website for additional convenient payment methods.

If you do not have a username and password, select the Sign Up Now link under the Create a Username heading from the online services homepage.

Payments must be received or postmarked by the due date to be considered timely. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or state holiday, payments postmarked or received by the next business day will be considered timely.

The Marine Agents section provides guidance for agents who make payments on behalf of a vessel owner or operator.

Penalty and Interest

The penalty for filing a late return and/or late fee payment is ten percent (10%) of the fee amount due for the period.

Interest also applies to late fee payments.

Updating your Business Information with the CDTFA

Update Business Information Online — Update your business information through our online services homepage. Log in using your username and password and select the account for which you want to update. Select the More link under the I Want To section. Then select the option you are requesting to update under Account Maintenance.

Additional Business Update Options — You may also notify us of any changes by:

Record Retention

Records must be retained for at least four years from the time the fee is due unless we authorize you in writing to destroy them sooner.

For additional information regarding record retention, please view Regulation 4901.