If you plan to import wood furniture into the United States, it's important to be aware of the following guidelines and regulations
These rules are in place to protect the U.S. against invasive species and to prevent illegal logging.
- Lacey Act: The Lacey Act prohibits the importation of wood products that have been illegally logged or traded. You will need to provide documentation to S. Customs and Border Protection that shows that the wood used in your furniture was obtained legally.
- Environmental Regulations: Some types of wood are protected by environmental regulations and may not be imported into the U.S. without a special permit. You will need to check with the relevant environmental agency to determine if your furniture contains any protected wood species.
- Product Safety Standards: Furniture sold in the U.S. must meet certain product safety standards. If your furniture does not meet these standards, it may be denied entry into the U.S. or subject to additional testing and certification requirements.
- Customs Duties: Depending on the type of wood and the country of origin, your furniture may be subject to customs duties when it is imported into the U.S. You will need to pay these duties to clear your furniture for entry into the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requires all wood entering the country to undergo certain sanitizing procedures to prevent non-native pests from affecting indigenous wildlife.
APHIS recommends two treatment options for wood and wood products: heat treatment (using a kiln or microwave energy dryer) or chemical treatment (using a surface pesticide, preservative, or methyl bromide fumigation).
To learn more about the treatment process and to apply for the appropriate form (the "Timber and Timber Products Import Permit"), you can visit the APHIS website. This permit will be required to import your wooden furniture into the U.S.
It's always a good idea to check with APHIS for the most up-to-date information on the requirements for importing wood products into the U.S. You can also refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency and other relevant agencies for information on the requirements for importing wood furniture into the U.S.
Please check CITES article to have more information.
If the wood used in the furniture you are importing is listed under the regulations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), it may be subject to the following requirements:
- A general permit issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is valid for two years.
- Certificates issued by the representative of CITES in the country where the wood was harvested, stating that the harvesting of the wood was not detrimental to the survival of that species and that the goods were lawfully obtained.
- Certificates issued by the CITES representative in the U.S.
- Arrival at a U.S. port equipped to handle shipments of CITES-listed species.
It's important to note that these requirements may vary depending on the specific wood species and the country of origin. You should check with the USDA and the relevant CITES representative for the most up-to-date information on the requirements for importing CITES-listed wood products into the U.S.
In addition to the requirements outlined above, the Lacey Act requires that all wood products be declared to APHIS using form PPQ 505. This form requires you to file the scientific type (genus and species) and origin of the wood for APHIS review, along with the rest of the necessary importing paperwork.
To calculate the duty that will be assessed on your goods, you will need to use the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The HTS is a master list that classifies all types of goods and details the taxes that are levied on each category.
Furniture in general (including wood furniture) falls mostly under Chapter 94, but the specific subheading will depend on the type of furniture you are importing. With your HTS code and the country of origin in hand, you can estimate the appropriate duty that will be applied to your goods.
Under the Tariff Act of 1930, U.S. companies can petition the U.S. government to place tariffs on goods from competing countries that they believe are receiving subsidies or other contributions from their government, which allows them to be sold at less than fair value, or "dumped," on the U.S. market.
This is known as anti-dumping duty. Many wooden bedroom furniture products from China are subject to anti-dumping duties, but there are some exceptions. For example, wooden headboards and nightstands may be subject to extra duties, but mattresses and tables may not be. These duties are levied on a supplier basis to offset the subsidies that they receive from the government.
In addition to general and anti-dumping duties, two other fees apply to all shipments entering U.S. domestic ports: the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) and the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF). The HMF is a fee that is assessed on all imported and domestic cargo that is imported through a U.S. port. The fee is used to fund the maintenance and development of U.S. harbors.
The MPF is a fee that is assessed on all imported goods that are valued at more than $250. It is used to fund the costs of processing imported goods through Customs. Both the HMF and the MPF are mandatory fees that must be paid to clear your goods for entry into the U.S.