What is Aphis Lacey Act?
Isabella Ramos
Updated on April 02, 2026
What is Aphis Lacey Act?
The Lacey Act combats illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish, and plants. APHIS is responsible for collecting declarations for imported plants and plant products, and defining the scope of plant materials that require a declaration.
Does MDF require Lacey Act?
You are required to file Lacey Act declaration for imported products listed on the Implementation Schedule that contain composite wood material, such as medium- and high-density fiberboard, oriented strand board, particle board, and paper. If product contains MDF, HDF, OSB, Particle Board, Paper, Paperboard, etc.
How do I fill out a Lacey Act?
The Lacey Declaration must be completed by the importer or shipper of the goods and must contain the following details:
- Estimated date of arrival.
- Entry number (this is where your customs broker comes in!)
- Container number (if by ocean transport)
- Bill of lading from the shipping company.
Who created the Lacey Act?
Representative John Lacey
Drafted and pushed through Congress by conservation-minded Representative John Lacey of Iowa, the Act made it illegal to transport from one state or territory to another any wild animals or birds killed in violation of state or territorial law.
Why was the Lacey Act created?
Background: The Lacey Act was first enacted in 1900 to combat the impact of poaching, interstate shipment of unlawfully killed game, and killing of birds for feather trade. The Act was amended in 2008 to include products, including timber, derived from illegally harvested plants.
What is the scientific name for MDF?
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a nonstructural fiber-based panel that is composed of wood fibers bonded together with resin under heat and pressure.
What wood is MDF made from?
Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF is generally denser than plywood.
What is Lacey declaration?
The Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq., the Act) as amended makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any plant, with some limited exceptions, taken or traded in violation of the laws of the United States, a U.S. State or a foreign country.
Does the Lacey Act apply to Canada?
New Lacey Act Certification Requirement Will Affect Wood Products Imported from Canada, China, Brazil, and Other Countries. As shown by the import data below, imports from Canada, China, and Brazil are expected to be the most affected in 2009 by the new declaration requirement. The Revised Implementation Schedule.
Was the Lacey Act effective?
Imports of illegal wood into the United States have declined by between 32 and 44 percent since the Lacey amendments took effect. Although other factors have been important, Lacey has clearly contributed to this reduction.
Who passed the Lacey Act?
President William McKinley
It was signed into law by President William McKinley on May 25, 1900. The original Act was directed more at the preservation of game and wild birds by making it a federal crime to poach game in one state with the purpose of selling the bounty in another.