Lacey Act
New USDA Declaration of Plant Products
Importers of wood products will no longer have a concern about meeting the December 15, 2008 statutory deadline for filing documentation related to imports of plants and plant products. The USDA has now proposed a phased in approach where most importers would not have to comply until July 1, 2009. There is currently a paper declaration form on the USDA website importers can use for imports after December 15, 2008. There will be no enforcement for failure to file the form, but there will be enforcement for filing a form containing false information.
The scope of the Lacey Act is broad and covers certain live plants, plant parts, lumber, wood pulp, paper and paperboard, and products containing certain plant material to possibly include furniture, tools, umbrellas, sporting goods, printed matter, and musical instruments.
UGS will stay up to date on the latest developments concerning the Lacey Act and how it applies to your company’s products on our website.