Lacey Act Phase VII Declaration Schedule Updates: Part I

May 30, 2024

NAMM hosted a webinar featuring Erin Otto, National Policy Manager at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Karen Williams, Compliance Specialist for Lacey Act Team to give our members the information to prepare for implementation of Phase VII of the Lacey Act by December 1, 2024. In this phase, declarations will be required for all remaining plant product Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes that are not 100 percent composite materials.

According to a statement released by APHIS on May 30, 2024:

If an importer imports items that contain plant products, but do not currently file a Lacey Act declaration, they likely will need to file under Phase VII.  Phase VII includes the broadest range of items, items as varied as industrial or medicinal plants, handbags, plywood, laminated wood, tools, matches with natural wood stems, products of natural cork, products of bamboo and rattan, footwear and more. Plant and wood products included in past phases include timber, some furniture, essential oils, wood cases and trunks, and woodwind instruments and their parts and accessories.

Submit Comments to APHIS by July 30, 2024

APHIS considered all comments received on or before July 30, 2024, and the period for providing comments is now closed.