Sponsor
Rich McCormick
Representative · R-GA
Representative · R-GA
The bill lowers costs and increases procedural transparency and notice for importers and boosts demand for U.S. timber, but does so at the cost of reduced tariff revenue, higher compliance and fraud risks, potential offshoring of manufacturing, and slower emergency trade responses.
Small businesses and importers get clearer, time‑bound procedures plus mandatory notices and a formal comment window (at least 90 days' notice and a 60‑day comment period), improving regulatory predictability, transparency, and time to adjust before new duties or fees take effect.
Importers of finished forestry products made entirely from U.S. raw wood (when approved) pay 50% less in duties and non‑duty import fees, lowering costs for firms that source U.S. wood.
Rural timber producers and related local economies may see increased demand for U.S.-origin raw wood as qualifying imports become cheaper, potentially boosting prices and sales for domestic suppliers.
All taxpayers could face reduced federal tariff revenue because qualifying imports pay 50% less in duties and fees, potentially increasing budget shortfalls.
The required delay before measures take effect (minimum notice/comment periods) could limit the President's ability to impose emergency trade restrictions quickly, weakening rapid responses to urgent national‑security or economic threats.
Manufacturing workers and some local economies could lose jobs if the duty carve‑out incentivizes shifting processing or assembly abroad while still qualifying for lower duties.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Halves duties and certain importer-paid fees for finished forestry products proven to contain 100% U.S.-origin raw wood and requires 90-day notice plus 60-day comment before new trade restrictions on listed forestry items.
Reduces importer-paid duties and certain fees by 50% for finished forestry products that can be shown to contain 100% raw wood material originating in the United States, and directs Customs to write verification and anti-fraud rules within 90 days. Also requires the President to publish at least 90 days' advance notice (with a 60-day public comment period) in the Federal Register before imposing or changing duties or other import restrictions under several statutory trade authorities for specified finished forestry products.
Official title: To require certain duties and covered import restrictions with respect to forestry products to be reduced by 50 percent if an importer of such product can demonstrate that such product contains 100 percent raw wood material originating in the United States, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 29, 2026 by Rich McCormick · Last progress April 29, 2026