# United States: APHIS Lacey Act Requirements

WHAT'S CHANGED?

The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which regulates the
import, export, sale, or acquisition of protected fish, wildlife, plants, and
plant products, has announced the next stage of Lacey Act implementation with
the rollout of Phase VII, set to take effect on December 1, 2024.

Originally outlined in Federal Register Notice 89 FR 47122
[https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/31/2024-11901/implementation-of-revised-lacey-act-provisions],
Phase VII expands declaration requirements to cover all remaining plant product
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes that are not 100-percent composite
materials.

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DO YOU NEED A DECLARATION?

As of December 1, 2024, imports under one of the 250 affected HS/HTS Codes may
require a Lacey Act import declaration for entry into the United States.

Lacey Act declarations will be required if all of the following conditions are
met:

 * the product contains plant material

 * is classified under an APHIS-listed HS/HTS code
   [https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-imports/lacey-act/implementation-schedule?page=1]

 * is imported as a formal entry (has an aggregate value of $2,500 or more)

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MORE INFORMATION

More detailed information related to the Lacey Act declaration requirement can
be found at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-imports/file-lacey-act-declaration/requirements#modal-link-de-minimis
[https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-imports/file-lacey-act-declaration/requirements#modal-link-de-minimis]