Lacey Act Enforcement
New phase of Lacey Act Enforcement starts April 1, 2009.
The Lacey Act Amendments of 2008 prohibit trade in plants and plant products harvested in violation of U.S. or foreign law. The amendment requires importers to declare the scientific name (genus and species) of any plant product included in any imported item, the country where the original plant was harvested, and the quantity and value of the plant content. The country required is the original country where the plant was harvested, not the usual country of origin for the finished imported goods.
This reporting requirement covers a staggering amount of products. A sample of items covered includes wood, pressed wood, furniture, wood pulp, paper and paperboard, books and printed materials, wood items, plant based resins, pharmaceuticals, textiles, tools with wooden handles, builders’ joinery and carpentry of wood.
The enforcement is occurring in 4 phases. The first phase runs from April 1, 2009 to September 2009. This phase covers items such as wood in rough, sheets of veneering, tools and tool handles, builders joinery and carpentry of wood.
The information required is covered on PPQ Form 505- Plant and Plant Product Declaration Form. After receiving the required information from the importer, we can file this information electronically as part of our customs clearance procedures. Electronically filed Form 505 is the fastest way to get your shipments released. There will be a charge for submitting this form.
If the required information is not available or submitted to Customs, it will delay the release of your goods. A sample of PPQ Form 505 is in the PDF version of this document below.
For more detailed explanation of the Lacey Act Amendments, please contact our office.
Click HERE to open the complete PDF version of this information.
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