Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sources have announced that the agency is granting a two-month grace period for its requirement that plant material quantities be reported on the Lacey Act declaration using standardized metric units (such as kg, m, m2, m3).
Lacey Act
The Lacey Act and subsequent amendments make it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, or acquire any plant, fish or wildlife obtained in violation of U.S., tribal or foreign law, as well as any injurious wildlife. The law is administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and CBP. APHIS has been implementing Lacey Act declaration requirements since 2009. Lacey Act declarations may be filed by the importer of record or its licensed customs broker, and include information on imported item's species name, value, quantity, and country where it was harvested.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has posted a clarification to its Website stating that beginning May 1, 2010, APHIS is requiring that plant material quantities be reported on the Lacey Act declaration using standardized metric units (such as kg, m, m2, m3).
Broker Power recently reported that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s April 2010 version of its Lacey Act Primer indicates that units of measure such as pieces (pcs) or planks are no longer allowed to be used on the Lacey Act declaration for imported plants and plant products.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued an April 2010 version of its Lacey Act Primer.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has asked the Office of Management and Budget to review and approve its proposed rule to establish definitions for the terms “common cultivar” (except trees) and “common food crop”, which are among the categorical exemptions to the Lacey Act Amendments requirements.
Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection discussed the agency’s plans for upcoming Automated Commercial Environment releases and other ACE-related issues at the April 2010 National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America annual conference.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a March 2010 version of its Lacey Act Primer. Also, at a recent brokers meeting, APHIS officials commented on current developments concerning the Lacey Act declaration for imported plants and plant products.
CBP has posted an updated version of its 2010 ACE accomplishments fact sheet. (Fact sheet, posted 03/16/10, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/trade/ace_factsheets/ace_accomp/ace_accomp_10.xml)
China's Ministry of Commerce reports that China's Premier Wen Jiabao recently said China would keep the yuan exchange rate "basically stable" at an "appropriate and balanced level" this year, and that Commerce Minister Chen has said that China's exchange rate should not be politicized. (Notice, dated 03/11/10, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/counselorsreport/asiareport/201003/20100306815949.html)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations to add nine types of constrictor snakes to the list of injurious reptiles under the Lacey Act (18 USC 42).