15 August 2008

New Data Elements Required for Importation of Softwood Lumber Effective August 18

The following news release from US Customs and Border Protection was issued on 14 August 2008.

The Softwood Lumber Act of 2008 (SLA 2008), (section 3301 of Title III, Subtitle D, of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, (Public Law 110-246), commonly called the “Farm Bill”), enacted June 18, 2008, applies to softwood lumber and softwood lumber products described by the Act that are imported into the U.S. on or after August 18, 2008. The SLA 2008 requires the President to establish and maintain a “Softwood Lumber Declaration Program” with respect to the importation of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products as defined by the SLA 2008.

The Softwood Lumber Declaration Program requires the President to establish an “electronic record” for importations of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products subject to the Act. The electronic record will consist of:

the export price for each shipment of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products calculated as specified by the SLA 2008:

estimated export charges, if any, applicable to each shipment of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products;

a declaration by the importer regarding the export price and export charge, if any.

This information is required for all importations of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products described in section 804 of the Act, regardless of country of export or origin and will be reported on the CBP 7501, entry summary.

The description of the softwood lumber and softwood lumber products subject to the Declaration Program (and those which are excluded) is set out in section 804. The term “export price” is defined in section 802(5). The term “export charges” is defined in section 802(4). The “importer’s declaration” is explained in section 804.

For more detailed information please see the Trade section of the CBP web site.