June 8, 2020 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will collect assessments on imported softwood lumber covered under the Softwood Lumber Checkoff (7 CFR Part 1217). Companies have been reporting and paying assessments directly to the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB).
The Checkoff is a mandatory program, that took effect in 2012. It is administered by the SLB, with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Assessments are collected from importers of record and U.S manufacturers of softwood lumber and are used by the SLB for projects that promote market growth for softwood lumber products used in single and multi-family dwellings, as well as commercial construction.
The current assessment rate is $0.35/thousand board feet, and all companies are exempt from paying assessments on their first 15 million board feet (mmbf) shipped to, or within, the U.S. under HTS Sub Headings 4407.11.00, 4407.12.00, 4407.19.05, 4407.19.06, 4407.19.10, 4409.10.05, 4409.10.10, 4409.10.20, 4409.10.90, 4418.99.10.
Refunds will be issued to importers based on company names and addresses in Customs data.
- Larger importers of record (shipping 15 mmbf or more annually to the U.S.) will receive a refund from the SLB on assessments paid on their first 15 mmbf shipped
- Small importers (shipping less than 15 mmbf annually to the U.S.) will receive a refund from the SLB on all assessments collected by CBP. Small importers of record may also apply to the SLB for a Certificate of Exemption
If you have any questions regarding the new collection process for assessments on imported lumber, please contact either your Livingston account manager or our regulatory affairs group at usregaffairs@livingstonintl.com