The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is holding a referendum on whether to continue the Softwood Lumber Research and Promotion Program Marketing Assessment Fee, which is assessed on imports of softwood lumber of HTS Sub Headings 4407.10.01, 4409.10.05, 4409.10.10, 4409.10.20, 4409.10.90, and 4418.90.25.
The vote will be conducted using a mail ballot, sent to eligible importers of softwood lumber and domestic manufacturers, beginning on April 17, 2018. Ballots are due by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on May 14, 2018.
Eligible voters had to have shipped or imported 15 million board feet or more of softwood lumber during the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
The assessment rate is $0.35 per thousand board feet ($0.1483 per cubic centimeter), and began in January 2012. It is NOT collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), but is invoiced quarterly directly by the Softwood Lumber Board.
Revenue generated is used to finance research and promotion programs designed to increase consumer demand for softwood lumber in the U.S. and international markets.
If you have any questions regarding the AMS Softwood Lumber Fee Referendum, the U.S, Livingston can help! Please contact either your Livingston account manager or our regulatory affairs department at usregaffairs@livingstonintl.com.