Details of Lacey Act still being ironed out
October 15, 2008 by SwizStick
Filed under Supply Chain Management
Importers have been eagerly awaiting more concrete details on the new plant and plant product import declarations they will have to start filing effective December 15, although enforcement isn’t expected to be implemented until April 1, 2009. While officials have been quick to assure the import community that they will take a common sense approach, the fact that they still haven’t nailed down the declaration requirements and the idea to use paper forms to enforce the law are not encouraging. Via JOC online:
The officials admitted they didn’t have all the answers about how they would enforce the law. Most audience members wanted to know about the new declaration requirements for which importers will be responsible.
In addition to entry data they now file with Customs and Border Protection, importers will be required to identify the species of plant from which the import product is made, and where it was harvested.
Importers can print an online form provided by APHIS after Dec. 15. Customs intends to have new programming added to the Automated Commercial System by April 1 to accommodate the Lacey Act requirements.
Cathy Sauceda, Customs’ director of import safety and intra-agency requirements, said that the thought of using paper forms to enforce the law “makes chills run up and down everybody’s back,” but if modifying ACS is required, Customs may have no choice.
As we learn more about this new regulation, so will you.
3plwire on Wed, 15th Oct 2008 8:05 am
The Lacey Act is sure to be a hot topic as this legislation comes into effect towards the end of the year. One question that has come up in recent conversations with customers has centered around retail boxes. If a customer ships a finished good product in a point of sale or store ready retail box, will that make the product subject to the Lacey Act?