Opheim Port of Entry Affected by Proposed Cut of Hours

U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposed recently to cut the hours of a handful of Montana’s ports of entry, including Opheim and Scobey. Under their proposal, the port of Opheim would be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., year-round compared to their current schedule of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer months. The port of Scobey would also change hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. year round compared to the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. between June and September to accommodate increased travel in the summer. The ports of entry in Raymond and Morgan, Mont. would also be affected by reduction of hours.

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Montana legislators as the reduction in hours will affect the agricultural sector. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte wrote a letter on March 7 to Commissioner Keven McAleenan of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection outlying the effects the reduced hours would have. In the letter it states “The Morgan, Opheim, Raymond and Scobey ports of entry are essential to farmers, ranchers and businesses across eastern Montana.” The letter continued to say “Maintaining the current hours of operation is critical to the continued flow of goods and economic activity between Montana and Canada.”

Senator Jon Tester said in a press release, “Reducing port hours always disadvantages rural America and harms our agricultural competitiveness. This abrupt decision and lack of feedback from farmers and ranchers, shippers, local communities and our neighbors in Canada represents a deep misunderstanding of the needs of agricultural producers in rural states like Montana.”

As of press time, no response has been made by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding when or if the new hours would go into affect.