Beginning July 1, 2020, importers of softwood lumber will pay assessments to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) instead of to the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB). Companies that ship 15 million board feet (mmbf) or more of softwood lumber to the US annually must pay an assessment of $0.35/thousand board foot.

Under the new process, all importers must pay the assessment, including those shipping less than 15 mmbf annually. However, importers shipping less than 15 mmbf annually are eligible for a refund from the SLB. Since refunds are issued to the company name and address on file with CBP, importers can verify their company information with SLB at exempt@softwoodlumberboard.org.

The SLB’s outreach outlines this information, and they have also published a helpful FAQ (New Process for the Collection of Assessments on Imported Softwood Lumber Covered under the Softwood Lumber Checkoff). If you have additional questions, please contact the Deringer service center managing your shipments.