# 2026-19389: Lumber Importers Face Tweak in Board Fees

2026-19389, Softwood Lumber Board Assessment Rate Clarification and Changes to Membership, is a Federal Register rule from Agriculture Department, Agricultural Marketing Service published 2026-09-22, effective 2026-10-22; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-29).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19389
- As of: 2026-09-29
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-19389
- Title: Softwood Lumber Board Assessment Rate Clarification and Changes to Membership
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Agriculture Department; Agricultural Marketing Service
- Citation: 91 FR 59981
- Published: 2026-09-22
- Effective: 2026-10-22
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-09-29

## In one line

Lumber Importers Face Tweak in Board Fees

## Summary

Starting October 22, 2026, the Softwood Lumber Board is updating how it charges fees on imported softwood lumber and changing who gets to be on the Board. If you import softwood lumber or are involved with the Board, these changes could affect your costs and membership rules. This update keeps the lumber industry running smoothly and fairly.

## Abstract

This final rule implements changes to the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order (Order). The changes include clarifying the assessment rate for softwood lumber imported into the United States and revising the membership of the Softwood Lumber Board (Board or SLB).

## Effects PRIA read

- Import Fees Now Calculated on Nominal Size: cost, low. Starting October 22, 2026, assessments on softwood lumber are calculated on a nominal count at $0.41 per thousand board feet (MBF). Imports reported in net size will be converted using a 1.503 multiplier, which is equivalent to $0.62/MBF on a net count (FEA conversion: 636.9 MBF per 1,000 m3 versus…
- Exemptions Keep First 15 MMBF Free: benefit, low. The Order exempts each manufacturer or importer from assessments on the first 15 million board feet (15 MMBF) of softwood lumber on a nominal count per fiscal year. Businesses that expect to be under 15 MMBF must apply annually for a certificate of exemption and those who did not apply but shipped/…
- Refunds for Excess Customs Collections: benefit, low. If U.S. Customs collects excess assessments from an importer, the Softwood Lumber Board will issue a refund when the importer provides appropriate documentation. For importers that are exempt, the Board will refund assessments collected by Customs no later than 60 calendar days after the Board rece…
- U.S. South Gains Additional Board Seat: benefit, low. The Softwood Lumber Board will add one industry seat for the U.S. South Region, increasing industry seats from 14 to 15 and total Board members to 16. This change reflects increased production in the U.S. South based on 2022–2024 data.
- Future Assessment Rate Limits and Review: mixed, medium. At least 24 months after the Order becomes effective and periodically thereafter, the Board may recommend changes to the assessment rate. The nominal assessment rate may not be set below $0.35/MBF nor above $0.50/MBF without rulemaking by the Secretary (current rate is $0.41/MBF nominal).

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## Sources
- [2026-19389 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/22/2026-19389/softwood-lumber-board-assessment-rate-clarification-and-changes-to-membership)
- [2026-19389 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-22/pdf/2026-19389.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19389 (as of 2026-09-29).