What is the Lacey Act?
Compliance with the Lacey Act is mandatory for all exporters from Turkey to the U.S. who ship furniture, hardwood flooring, kitchenware, decorative wood products, and paper /cardboard packaging.
The Lacey Act is of great importance for companies wishing to export wood, furniture, paper, packaging, or plant-derived products to the U.S. First enacted in 1900 and expanded in 2008, the law aims to prevent the import of illegally harvested plants and products. We covered the details of this topic in our article, “A New Era in B2B Sales: A Guide to Finding Export Customers and Overseas Clients 2026” (Apollo, Instantly, Clay).
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 required for exporters selling products containing furniture, wooden household goods, or packaging on Amazon. Failure to provide this declaration may result in the product being detained by U.S. Customs or the suspension of Amazon listings. Our article “What Is Micro-Export?” may be helpful for further information.
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 flooring
– Decorative wood products (plates, bowls, kitchen utensils)
– Paper and cardboard packaging
– MDF, plywood, and laminated products We also cover this topic in our article “What Is E-Export?” Roadmap.
Companies exporting these products from Turkey to the US must fully document the wood species, country of origin and supply chain of their products.
The Lacey Act Compliance Process, Step by Step
1. Product Description: The HS Code must be determined, and it must be confirmed whether the product is a wood/forest product.
2. Plant Species and Origin Information: The tree species used (e.g., oak, pine, maple) and the country of origin must be clearly specified.
3. Supply Chain Documentation: Harvesting certificates, invoice chain, and forest certification documents (FSC, PEFC) must be retained.
4. APHIS eDec (Electronic Declaration) Filing: An electronic declaration must be filed prior to shipment to the U.S.
5. Matching with Customs Declaration: The Lacey Act declaration is matched with the 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 must file a declaration through the APHIS eDec system.
Which products fall under the Lacey Act?
All wood and wood-based products, furniture, flooring, decorative items, and paper and cardboard packaging.
Is the Lacey Act required to sell on Amazon?
Yes, Amazon requires a Lacey Act Declaration to list wood and paper products.
Who files the Lacey Act declaration?
It is prepared by the importer or exporter and submitted to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) system.
What happens in case of non-compliance?
The product is seized at customs, a hefty fine is imposed, and the business record 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.
