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 Softwood Lumber Agreement 2006 (SLA 2006) Frequently Asked Questions
(12/01/2008)| Q: | Is the rounding of quantities permitted on the entry summary for shipments subject to the SLA 2006? | | A: | Importers are requested not to round the quantities reported on the 7501, but to report a quantity out to two decimal places. This will ensure that quantities reported on the U.S. entry summary, once converted into board feet, will more closely match Canadian export permit quantities. |
| Q: | The excluded companies listed in Annex 10 reference a specific mill location and address for each company. Does this limit the excluded companies to that specific mill location and address? | | A: | The companies listed in Annex 10 may have more than one mill; therefore there is not a limitation to the specific mill location and address found in Annex 10. The requirement is that the company is, in fact, an excluded company. The only exception is for the Matériaux Blanchet Inc.’s St-Pamphile Mill, which is limited to the specific location and address provided in Annex 10. |
| Q: | How should entry data be amended for SLA importations after the entry summary has been filed? | | A: | All data changes including value and quantity should be made utilizing the SIL/PEA program. A memorandum dated March 22, 2007 regarding the correction of entry information can be found on the US-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement.
( US-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement )
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| Q: | How is an Export Permit obtained? | | A: | The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) issues the required Export Permits for softwood lumber products. Specifics regarding the process can be found on the DFAIT website.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada ) Export Permits are issued based on the volume restraint the Region has opted to participate in. The two options are defined in Article VII of the SLA 2006.Option A: A permit can be obtained for goods originating in Regions under Option A (currently British Columbia (BC) - BC Coast, BC Interior, and Alberta) by registering with DFAIT and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).Option B: A permit can be obtained for goods originating in Regions under Option B (currently Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec) for companies that are quota holders as defined on the DFAIT website.
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Export and Import Controls ) Export Permits are issued solely to quota holders. Non-quota holders should refer to the URL provided above for procedures on obtaining necessary quotas and Export Permits for softwood lumber products from the Regions listed under Option B. DFAIT will not issue Export Permits to exporters who do not possess quota volumes equal to their exports. |
| Q: | Which Region code should be reported on the entry summary for softwood lumber products first milled in British Columbia? | | A: | The Region code that must be reported on the entry summary for softwood lumber products first milled in British Columbia are as follows: XD for goods originating in BC Coast, or XE for goods originating in BC Interior.The Region code XC should not be used for softwood lumber products from British Columbia, regardless of whether products are within scope of the Agreement. |
| Q: | What procedures should I use to make corrections on my softwood lumber entries? | | A: | The United States government is obligated by the Agreement to exchange SLA data on a quarterly basis. Therefore, CBP is requesting corrections pertaining to the SLA filing requirements be submitted as soon as they are identified. |
| Q: | Can lumber from a first mill province be further processed to a point where the quota will no longer be charged to that province? | | A: | Further processing will not affect the Region of origin. The export charge will always be charged to the province where the softwood lumber was first milled. |
| Q: | Maritime’s exclusion states that lumber can be further processed. Are there further processes that would preclude exclusion from the SLA 2006? | | A: | Remanufactured lumber from the Maritimes is excluded so long as the logs originate in the Maritimes. These softwood lumber products will require an original Certificate of Origin from the Maritime Lumber Bureau to receive and exclusion. |
| Q: | Is U.S. lumber that is remanufactured in Canada subject to the SLA 2006? | | A: | United States lumber claiming non-subject status based on country of origin of U.S. is excluded if the importer/exporter can establish to CBPs satisfaction that the origin of the lumber is U.S. Additionally, U.S. lumber that has had minor processing, such as kiln drying, planning, or sanding is excluded from the SLA 2006. |
| Q: | Are two Export Permits required for co-mingled softwood lumber shipments that have excluded Region lumber and non-excluded Region lumber? | | A: | Shipments of softwood lumber that are co-mingled with goods from multiple Regions will not be required to obtain multiple permits. DFAIT will issue Export Permits for each individual line items for each Region. |
| Q: | Are duplicate permits allowed? | | A: | Duplicate permits are prohibited. 1 shipment = 1 entry = 1 Export Permit. |
| Q: | If a shipment is split will multiple Export Permits be required? | | A: | Shipments that are split will require an Export Permit for each entry summary filed. If an Export Permit was obtained prior to the shipment being split, the exporter is obligated to contact DFAIT for replacement Export Permits for the individual shipments. |
| Q: | Can the entry date be prior to the valid Date of Shipment reflected on the Export Permit? | | A: | The entry date should never precede the Date of Shipment reflected on the Export Permit. |
| Q: | Is Remote Location Filing (RLF) allowed for softwood lumber entries? | | A: | SLA 2006 entries may be submitted via RLF, with the exception of SLA goods claiming exemption under the Maritimes. A paper copy of the original Certificate of Origin is required at time of entry summary, which precludes these shipments from eligibility under RLF requirements. |
| Q: | What is the difference between P88888888 and R88888888? | | A: | For softwood lumber products that are not within the scope of the SLA 2006, but fall under a Harmonized Tariff Schedule number that is listed in Annex 1A, filers should input the following alphanumeric number in the Export Permit field: P88888888.For softwood lumber products that have entered the U.S. and are subject to the SLA 2006 but have not obtained the required Export Permit from DFAIT, filers should input the following alphanumeric number in the Export Permit Field: R88888888. |
| Q: | What is meant by excluded from export measures? | | A: | Export measures are charges and volume restraints that Canada applies to softwood lumber that is subject to the scope of the Agreement that is exported to the U. S.Softwood lumber products that are excluded from the export measure are goods that originate from the following Regions, or from the companies listed in Annex 10 of the SLA 2006: Maritime, Nunavut, North West Territories, and Yukon. These products are subject to Export Permit requirements. They are just not subject to the Canadian export charges or volume restraints. |
| Q: | Are informal shipments of softwood lumber products subject to SLA 2006 Export Permit Requirements? | | A: | Yes. The SLA 2006 does not contain a de minimus provision. Therefore, all filing requirements for formal entries apply to informal entries as well. |
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