What is the Lacey Act?
Lacey Act compliance is mandatory for all exporters sending furniture, parquet, kitchenware, decorative wood products, paper/cardboard packaging from Turkey to the US.
The Lacey Act is of great importance for companies wishing to export wood, furniture, paper, packaging or plant-derived products to the US. First enacted in 1900 and expanded in 2008, the law aims to prevent the import of illegally cut plants and products.
What Should Exporters Know?
- The scientific name, country of origin, quantity and value of the plant used in the products sent to the US must be declared.
- Declarations are made electronically in theAPHIS system (ACE or LAWGS).
- Packaging materials (pallets, boxes) are usually exempt, but declaration is mandatory if the product itself is wood/plant-based.
- Products with a plant content below 5% may be exempt below certain limits.
Which Institutions Supervise?
- USDA-APHIS: Collects plant and plant product declarations.
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Oversees trade in wildlife and plant products.
- CBP (US Customs): Checks declarations during the import process.
Importance for Amazon Sellers
A Lacey Act declaration is mandatory for exporters selling products containing furniture, wooden household goods or packaging on Amazon. Failure to declare can result in the product being detained at US customs or Amazon listings being closed.
2025 Current Situation
- Customs exemption for fast cargo shipments has been lifted and lack of declaration can lead to serious sanctions.
- APHIS encourages electronic declarations; manual declaration is only open to small volume importers.
Products Covered by the Lacey Act
- Furniture (tables, chairs, cabinets, coffee tables, etc.)
- Wooden parquet and floor coverings
- Decorative wooden products (plates, bowls, kitchenware)
- Paper and cardboard packaging
- MDF, plywood and laminated products
Companies exporting these products from Turkey to the US must fully document the wood species, country of origin and supply chain of their products.
Lacey Act Compliance Process - Step by Step
1. Product Identification - Identify HS Code and confirm whether the product is a wood/forest product.
2. Plant Species and Origin Information - The type of wood used (e.g. oak, pine, maple) and country of origin should be clearly stated.
3.Supply Chain Documents - Slaughter certificates, chain of invoice, forest certificates (FSC, PEFC) should be kept.
4. APHIS eDec (Electronic Declaration) Registration - Electronic declaration should be made before shipping to the US.
5. Matching with Customs Declaration - Lacey Act declaration is matched with CBP customs system.
Lacey Act on Amazon and E-Commerce Platforms
- Amazon requires a Lacey Act declaration before listing products in the wood and forest products category.
- Platforms such as Walmart and Wayfair have started to implement the same policy.
- Under-declaration → products can be removed from the platform.
Therefore, exporters sending wood products to the US need to plan both customs and Amazon compliance together.
Why Pay Attention to Lacey Act Compatibility?
- Smooth Passage through Customs → Incomplete declaration causes the product to be held at the port.
- Fines → Penalties can be up to 250,000 USD.
- Commercial Credibility → Compliant manufacturers are preferred for buyers in the US.
- Amazon Sales → Platforms now require these documents for product listing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there a Lacey Act certificate?
- There is no single certificate. The exporter has to make a declaration through the APHIS eDec system.
Which products are covered by the Lacey Act?
- All wood, wood-based products, furniture, parquet, decorative products, paper and cardboard packaging.
Do I need a Lacey Act to sell on Amazon?
- Yes, Amazon requires a Lacey Act Declaration to list wood/paper products.
Who makes the Lacey Act declaration?
- Prepared by the importer or exporter, submitted to the US customs (CBP) system.
What happens in case of non-compliance?
- The product is blocked at customs, high fines are imposed, the commercial register is negatively affected.
Professional Support
As Export Partners Turkey, we are at your side with Lacey Act declaration, FDA and customs processes in the export of wood and forestry products to the USA.
