USDA Shakes Up Softwood Lumber Fees and Board Membership Rules
Published Date: 3/30/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you import softwood lumber into the U.S. or are part of the Softwood Lumber Board, listen up! The USDA wants to clear up how much you pay in fees and change who gets to be on the Board. These updates could affect your costs and membership starting soon, so get ready to share your thoughts by April 29, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Import Assessment Clarified: $0.41 vs $0.62/MBF
The rule says the assessment is $0.41 per thousand board feet (MBF) based on a nominal count, but imports reported on a net count must be converted using a 1.503 factor so the effective rate is $0.62/MBF on a net count. The conversion examples: 1,000 cubic meters = 423.8 MBF (nominal) or 636.9 MBF (net); this clarification will primarily affect importers who report net-volume (the USDA counted 388 European importers from 2022–2024, 27 of which averaged over the 15 MMBF exemption threshold).
15 MMBF Exemption and Refund Rules
Manufacturers and importers who ship or import less than 15 million board feet (MMBF) on a nominal count in a fiscal year are exempt from assessments, but must apply annually for a certificate of exemption. If Customs collects assessments from exempt importers, the Board will refund those importers no later than 60 calendar days after the Board receives the assessments; domestic manufacturers who qualify but did not apply will receive refunds within 30 calendar days after the end of the fiscal year.
Assessment Rate Review Window and Caps
At least 24 months after the Order becomes effective (and periodically thereafter), the Board may recommend changing the assessment rate by an affirmative vote of a majority plus two; any new nominal-count rate may not be less than $0.35/MBF nor more than $0.50/MBF. Any change in rate is subject to rulemaking by the Secretary.
One More U.S. South Board Seat
The Board would add one industry seat for the U.S. South Region, increasing industry seats from 14 to 15 and total Board membership to 16 (15 industry members plus one public member). The U.S. South Region is defined to include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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