Trade Regulation Updates

Recently, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA) announced that the next phase of the Lacey Act will come into force beginning on December 1st, 2024. This act covers the importation of most wood and plant products into the US, and this next phase greatly expands the goods that will require a Lacey declaration. 

Importers of wood or plant products that have not had to submit a Lacey declaration for imported wood or plant goods up to this point are highly encouraged to investigate the new additions covered by this act, as the changes are significant. 

Please see the APHIS enforcement schedule for general information about the Lacey Act and the schedule of this Act’s phases. 

The following is a list of the categories of goods newly affected. For more detailed information about what specific items within those categories now require a Lacey declaration after this phase, along with additional information on the act itself, please visit the official notice from APHIS on the Federal Register. 

Affected Commodities: 

• Industrial or Medicinal Plants
• Lac, Gums, Resins, and Other Vegetable Saps and Extracts
• Vegetable Plaiting Materials
• Essential Oils
• Pyrotechnic Products
• Miscellaneous Chemical Products
• Articles of Leather, Travel Goods, and Handbags
• Wood and Articles of Wood
• Cork and Articles of Cork
• Basketware and Wickerwork
• Nonwovens, Twine, Ropes, Cables, and Articles Thereof
• Footwear
• Umbrellas
• Tools and Cutlery
• Machinery, Boilers, and Nuclear Reactors
• Electrical Machinery and Equipment
• Vehicles
• Boats
• Aircraft and Spacecraft
• Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical, or Surgical Instruments and Apparatus; Parts and Accessories Thereof
• Clocks and Watches
• Musical Instruments
• Arms and Ammunitions
• Furniture, Bedding, Mattresses, and Similar Articles
• Toys, Games, and Sporting Equipment
• Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles