New Customs Declaration Required

On October 16, 2008, the USDA will hold a two hour public meeting in Washington, DC to discuss a section of the 2008 Farm Bill which amended the Lacey Act in a way that importers must submit a declaration at the time of importation for certain plants and plant products. Per a notice issued in the Federal Register on October 8, 2008, the scope of products that will require a declaration under the Lacey Act is broad and includes certain live plants, plant parts, lumber, wood pulp, paper and paperboard, and products containing certain plant material or products, which may include certain furniture, tools, umbrellas, sporting goods, printed matter, musical instruments, products manufactured from plant-based resins, and textiles. The meeting will take place from 10 am to 12 pm in the Jefferson Auditorium, South Agriculture Building, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC.