USDA: GACC Announces Suspension of US Log Imports

Country: China – People’s Republic of

Post: Beijing

Report Category: Wood Products, Agriculture in the News, Trade Policy Incident Report, Trade Policy Monitoring

Prepared By: FAS China Staff and Benjamin Boroughs

Approved By: Adam Branson

Report Highlights: On March 4, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) announced it was suspending processing imports of U.S. logs. GACC stated that these suspensions were in response to recent detections of forest pests such as bark beetles and longhorn beetles in U.S. shipments. In 2024 China reported imports of U.S. hardwood and softwood logs valued at $612 million and $237 million respectively.

FAS China provides this analysis and reporting as a service to the United States agricultural community, and to our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in support of a worldwide agricultural information system and a level playing field for U.S. agriculture.

On March 4, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) announced it was suspending shipments of U.S. logs. GACC stated that these suspensions were in response to recent detections of forest pests such as bark beetles and longhorn beetles in U.S. shipments. In 2024 China reported imports of U.S. hardwood and softwood logs valued at $612 million and $237 million respectively.

Also on March 4, 2025, the Ministry of Finance of the State Council Tariff Commission (SCTC) published 2025 Announcement No. 2 which introduced new retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. agricultural products. These tariffs will apply to 740 commodities, divided into two lists, with additional rates of 10 percent and 15 percent. The SCTC announcement indicates this action is in response to the United States’ decision to impose a 10-percent tariff on all Chinese exports, effective March 4, 2025. Logs were not included in the list, however an automatic exclusion from China’s Section 301 Retaliatory Tariffs of 25 percent for certain U.S. forestry products expired on February 28, 2025. Chinese log importers can still apply for market-based exclusions which are granted on a case-by-case basis.

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March 4, 2025

General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 29 of 2025 (Announcement on the Suspension of Imports of U.S. Logs)

Recently, China Customs has detected quarantine forest pests such as bark beetles and longhorn beetles in imported logs from the United States. In order to prevent the introduction of harmful organisms and protect my country’s agricultural and forestry production and ecological security, in accordance with the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Biosafety”, “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine” and its implementing regulations, “International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures” and other relevant regulations, the General Administration of Customs has decided to suspend the import of logs from the date of this announcement.

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To view the original report in Chinese, click here.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture