US Government stops shipments of timber from a Peruvian timber for three years

The US Government has stopped shipments of timber into the USA from the Peruvian company Inversiones Oroza (Oroza) for a period of three years or until it is determined they have complied with relevant laws. The action is based on illegally harvested timber found in its supply chain.

The action has been taken using a provision of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) not the Lacey Act which imposes obligations on importing business into the USA. More information here

Inversiones Oroza is an FSC COC certified business. It is certified to source and supply FSC Controlled Wood. This is a prime example of the “other information” that importers should be aware of and consider in their risk assessment even when importing FSC certified products.