International Trade Today is a Warren News publication.

ITA Seeks Comments on Jan-June 2011 Softwood Lumber Export Subsidies

The International Trade Administration is seeking comment on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by certain countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the U.S. during the period January 1 through June 30, 2011.

Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article

If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.

Comments are due by November 30, 2011.

Comments Sought as Part of SLA 2008 Reporting Requirements

Among other things, the Softwood Lumber Act of 20081 requires the Secretary of Commerce to provide a report to the appropriate congressional committees every 180 days on any subsidies provided by countries of export on softwood lumber or softwood lumber products. As part of its report to Congress, the ITA intends to include a list of subsidy programs identified with sufficient clarity by the public in response to this notice.

Only on Countries that Supply at Least 1% of U.S. Imports

Given the large number of countries that export softwood lumber and softwood lumber products to the U.S., the ITA is soliciting public comment only on subsidies provided by countries whose exports accounted for at least one percent of total U.S. imports of softwood lumber by quantity, as classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule 4407.10.01 (which accounts for the vast majority of imports), during the period January 1 through June 30, 2011.

Official U.S. import data published by the International Trade Commission Tariff and Trade DataWeb indicates that exports of softwood lumber from Canada and Chile each account for at least one percent of U.S. imports of softwood lumber products during that time period.

1The SLA 2008 was part of the 2008 Farm Bill, Public Law 110-246).

(See ITT's Online Archives 08081410 for summary of the SLA 2008 reporting requirement.

See ITT’s Online Archives or 09122420 for summary of a GAO report that agencies see little benefit from SLA 2008 reporting requirements.

See ITT’s Online Archives 10082612 for summary of a CBP final rule which requires additional data elements, declarations, and recordkeeping requirements for certain imports of softwood lumber exported from any country into the U.S.)

ITA contact - James Terpstra (202) 482-3965

(FR Pub 10/31/11)