CBP & APHIS SAY LACEY ACT DECLARATION NEEDED AT RELEASE.
Phase II of the Lacey Amendment will be implemented on APRIL 1, 2009. CBP will assist USDA, the lead regulatory agency, with electronic collection of data to fulfill the import declaration requirement of the Lacey Act amendments. CBP intends to complete automation of the process for collecting the declaration data elements found on PPQ 505 (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/lacey_act/downloads/declarationform.pdf) and be prepared to accept data through ABI beginning April 1, 2009.
John S. Connor will also be ready to file electronically the declaration data.
The declaration must be made at time of importation, and include information on:
- Scientific name of plant (including genus & species)
- Value of importation
- Quantity of the plant
- Name of the country in which the plant was harvested
- For paper and paperboard products with recycled content, the average percentage of recycled content without regard for species or country of harvest.
The declaration requirement does not apply to packaging material used to support, protect or carry another item (unless the packaging material itself is the item being imported).
There has been a phased-in approach to enforcement of the declaration requirement. Phase I was voluntary and an outreach program. Phase II covers the following heading/subheadings of Chapter 44.
Chapter 44 Headings (Wood & Articles of Wood)
- 4401 – Fuel wood
- 4403 – Wood in the rough
- 4404 – Hoopwood; poles, piles, stakes
- 4406 – Railway or tramway sleepers
- 4407 – Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise
- 4408 – Sheets for veneering
- 4409 – Wood continuously shaped
- 4417 – Tools, tool handles, broom handles
- 4418 – Builders’ joinery and carpentry of wood
Phase III and IV – please click link for schedule (click here for link).
Although, only Phase II is required at this time, we encourage importers to prepare for future Phases and begin requesting the data from suppliers. To assist in this preparation
John S. Connor will be offering webinars on the Lacey Act Amendment.
Please click on the following link to join our Friday, March 27th, 10:00 am webinar: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/960715218
Please click on the following link to join our Tuesday, March 31st, 10:00 am webinar
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/740289873
Future webinars will be forthcoming and posted on John S. Connor website http://www.jsconnor.com/