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SAN JUAN REGION
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San Juan, PR & U.S. Virgin Islands
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San Juan Region
DISTRIBUTION: Trade Community and Others concerned.
This notice outlines the key import requirements established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for lumber and wood products entering the United States. Importers must ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including treatment, documentation, permit, inspection, and legal origin requirements. The following summary provides essential guidance to facilitate the importation process.
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Permits & Approvals: An APHIS Import Permit is required for lumber, logs, and timber products. Apply for permits via APHIS eFile. Importers must comply with all requirements stated on the permit.
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Treatment Requirements: Some wood imports must be heat treated or kiln dried prior to arrival. The documents accompanying the shipment must specify the treatment used, as listed on the import permit.
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Inspection: All lumber and wood products are subject to inspection at the port of entry and must meet the requirements of 7 CFR 319.40-9.
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Shipment Documentation: Each shipment must include an importer document identifying:
- Genus and species of the wood,
- Quantity imported,
- Intended use,
- Treatments applied prior to arrival,
- Country of origin and locality (if known).
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Wood Packaging Material (WPM): All pallets and dunnage must be ISPM 15-compliant (debarked, heat-treated, or fumigated and marked). Marks must be visible and permanent, preferably on two opposite sides.
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Lacey Act Declaration: A Lacey Act declaration is required for most wood products to verify legal origin. Submit declarations via the APHIS Lacey Act Message Set in ACE or the Lacey Act Web Governance System (LAWGS). For questions, contact USDA at lacey.act.declaration@usda.gov.
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CITES Compliance: If importing endangered tree species, check the CITES database for restrictions.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in shipment delays, penalties, or refusal of entry. Importers are strongly encouraged to review all applicable regulations and consult with the appropriate authorities if clarification is needed.
You can reach us via email at sjfo-agriculture@cbp.dhs.gov or by phone at 787-729-6982, for more information.
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