The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) has announced the Lacey Act and Wood Packaging Resource Hub—a portal of resources and information to help the wood packaging industry understand their requirements under the Lacey Act Phase 6 implementation.
Effective in October 2021, importers are required to file a Lacey declaration for new wooden products in HTSUS 4415 that are formally entering the United States as merchandise. The Lacey Act provides an exception to the plant import declaration requirement for plants used exclusively as packaging material to support, protect, or carry another item, unless the packaging material itself is the item being imported (§ 3372(f)(3)). In addition, APHIS does not require U.S. importers to file a Lacey declaration for used, recycled, and reclaimed wooden products in HTSUS 4415.
The Hub features a recorded webinar (September 21, 2021), slides from USDA APHIS, and a leading U.S. Customs broker on common Q&A for wooden pallets and containers, along with links to related resources. NWPCA will continue to update and expand the online resource over time.
“To keep our members informed of their responsibilities, we partnered with governmental agencies and affiliated associations, such as the USDA-Animal Plant Health & Inspection Service and National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America on a webinar and to provide some ‘how to’ resources and answer timely questions from our industry,” stated Brent McClendon, NWPCA President & CEO. “The Lacey Act Wood Packaging Resource Hub communicates information on the new declaration process to lessen the hardship for wooden pallet and container manufacturers, importers, and users of wood packaging in completing the paperwork.”
Wooden pallets are an essential part of the U.S. supply chain. According to a 2020 pallet user survey conducted by Modern Materials Handling, wood dominates 94 percent of pallet production. The wooden pallet industry is an $11.5 billion American success story, with close to 2 billion wood pallets in use every day in domestic shipping and warehousing operations. NWPCA and the wood packaging industry are proud of our role in supporting the supply chain and moving the products that keep us safe, fed, and growing as a country.
The Lacey Act is a 1900 United States law that bans trafficking in illegal wildlife. In 2008, the U.S. Congress amended the Act to include plants and plant products such as wood products, including wood packaging, which is part of Phase 6 implementation effective in October 2021.
The NWPCA and its members are committed to producing wooden pallets and containers from legally harvested sources. It strongly supports global efforts and vital laws to combat illegal logging. We believe that an effectively implemented Lacey Act ensures that the industry continues to use wooden pallets made from legally sourced wood and to continue moving the world with the most sustainable product available.
Visit the NWPCA Resource Hub at www.palletcentral.com/lacey.
