Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/2

5 January 2010

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 3/2010

US : Certain Updates Related to the Lacey Act Declarations

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the US Department of Agriculture has updated some postings related to the US Lacey Act declarations on its website. Details are available on the APHIS website at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/lacey_act/index.shtml.

DETAILS

2. The trade was informed via Commercial Information Circular No. 620/2009 that the APHIS has posted to its website a new guidance for filing Lacey Act declarations for composite, recycled, or reused materials. The APHIS now updates some web postings related to the Lacey Act declaration including an updated Lacey Act primer and a sample Border Release Advance Screening and Selectivity (BRASS)/Automated Line Release (ALR) blanket declaration spreadsheet. 
   
   

3. Specifically, the revised Lacey Act primer adds additional information on (i) the Lacey Act amendments declaration requirements; (ii) misdemeanor prosecutions under the amended Lacey Act and how to avoid them by taking due care; and (iii) best practices. The APHIS has added to its website a sample Excel blanket declaration reconciliation spreadsheet for the Blanket Declaration Pilot, which is only open to certain groups of importers that apply for the program (currently BRASS and ALR participants).
   
   

4. Traders are advised to visit the above APHIS website for the latest information regarding the Lacey Act. Traders are also strongly advised to seek clarifications with their importers in the US in order to comply with the necessary requirements.

ENQUIRIES

5. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Bonny CHAO)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry