ITA Seeks Comments on January-June 2012 Foreign Softwood Lumber 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 July 1 through Dec. 31, 2012. Comments are due by May 28.
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Comments Sought as Part of SLA 2008 Reporting Requirements
According to the ITA, the Softwood Lumber Act of 2008 requires the Secretary of Commerce to provide a report to the appropriate congressional committees every 180 days on any subsidies provided by countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products [see Ref:08081410]). As part of its report to Congress, the ITA includes 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 said it 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 July 1 through Dec. 31, 2012.
U.S. import data published by the International Trade Commission Tariff and Trade DataWeb indicates that only exports of softwood lumber from Canada account for at least one percent of U.S. imports of softwood lumber products during that time period.
(See 09122420 for summary of a GAO report that agencies see little benefit from SLA 2008 reporting requirements. See 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
(Federal Register 04/26/13)