CSMS Message: 14-000611

The purpose of this message is to remind filers about the softwood lumber data filing requirements for both ACE and ACS entry summaries. The 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA 2006) requires the U.S. and Canada to exchange information to support compliance monitoring, and the 2008 Softwood Lumber Act (SLA 2008) requires the U.S. to verify and reconcile softwood lumber trade data. Several trade groups and other government agencies closely scrutinize the results of these efforts; as a result, data accuracy and consistency are a critical component of this effort.

Imports of softwood lumber require the electronic submission of an export permit number, along with the export price, export charges (where applicable), and importer declaration. Please note that the required data is transmitted in differently within the ACE and ACS entry summary transmissions.

For ACS entry summaries, the export permit number, export price, export charges (where applicable), and importer declaration are transmitted together in record identifier 52. See Record 52 of the ACS CATAIR Entry Summary Chapter as well as CSMS messages 08-000139 and 06-001119 for specific record layouts.

For ACE entry summaries, the required softwood lumber data elements are transmitted in two records. The export permit must be reported in record identifier 52 while the export price, export charges (where applicable) and importer declaration must be reported in record identifier 54. Specific record layouts and format requirements are described in the ACE CATAIR Entry Summary Create/Update Chapter in USAGE Note s), as well as Note 1 for Record 54.

For policy questions related to softwood lumber, please contact Maggie Gray, International Trade Specialist, at (202) 863-6621. For system related questions, please contact your local client representative.