Feds End Paper Packaging Promotion Program to Save Money
Published Date: 3/9/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting March 9, 2026, the government is ending the research and promotion program for paper and paper-based packaging. This change affects manufacturers and importers who voted to stop the program, meaning no more fees or rules from this order. It’s a clean break that saves money and cuts red tape for the paper packaging industry.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Paper Packaging Order Terminated
The federal research and promotion program for paper and paper-based packaging is terminated effective March 9, 2026. Manufacturers and importers who were covered by the Order will no longer be subject to the Order’s rules or pay the assessments that supported the program.
Immediate Moratorium on Assessments
USDA established a moratorium on collection of assessments on June 3, 2025, and the final rule confirms the program termination effective March 9, 2026. The assessment rate in effect before the moratorium was $0.35 per short ton, and in 2024 eligible firms paid about $21.2 million in assessments.
Small Firms Make Up Majority Affected
The rule affects many small businesses: AMS reports at least 97 percent of domestic paper and packaging manufacturers meet the SBA small‑business size standard, and more than 99 percent of importers would be considered small under the used standard. AMS states termination should reduce costs for manufacturers and importers and would not disproportionately burden small entities.
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