CBP Advises Importers of Softwood New Lumber Act Reporting Requirements

(CBP)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s trade office today [Thursday] advised the trade community of new reporting requirements to ensure that importers comply with the Softwood Lumber Act of 2008.

The new law requires importers to provide additional data elements to CBP for all importations of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products, as described in the act. The changes are to take effect on August 18, 60 days after the enactment of the legislation.

Importers are required to provide CBP three additional data elements: an export price, estimated export charge, if any applies, and an importer declaration. These elements must be submitted for each line of imported softwood lumber and softwood lumber products subject to the Softwood Lumber Act of 2008 on the entry summary, CBP form 7501.

CBP Form 7501 and any supporting documentation must be retained by the importer in accordance with CBP record keeping requirements and be produced upon request. These requirements apply to all shipments of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products described in the Softwood Lumber Act of 2008, regardless of country of origin or export.

Lawmakers have indicated that the purpose of the importer declaration program is to ensure that importation of softwood lumber into the United States is consistent with America’s international trade agreements.

New Data Elements Required for Importation of Softwood Lumber Effective August 18 is available here.