Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 70430751 - Softwood Lumber Assessment Rates Clarification

The Softwood Lumber Board (Board) administers a nationally coordinated program pursuant to the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education, and Industry Information Order (Order) (7 CFR Part 1217).

The assessment rate specified in the Order on softwood lumber is $0.41 per thousand board feet (MBF) for both domestically manufactured and imported softwood lumber. The Order defines a board foot as the unit of measurement of softwood lumber represented by a board 12-inches long, 12-inches wide, and 1-inch thick, or its cubic equivalent, on a nominal basis. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) amended the Order to add a definition of net size or count and to provide a corresponding assessment calculation. Below is a table from the update showing the assessment rate for both nominal and net volume. The clarified assessment rates are effective October 22, 2026. For any questions on this assessment, please contact: info@softwoodlumberboard.org.