"As a small company that sells high quality guitars, my attention is focused on the quality of the instruments, not on the individual pieces of wood that go into them. The Lacey Act requires that you document each type of wood, the scientific genus and species of even the smallest piece used to build the guitar, and the quantities of each type of wood as well. Frankly, I was at a loss at how to organize all of this information (let alone how to enter it into the government form). But after reading the book and using the spreadsheets that came with it, I have been able to organize all of the information that the government requires, and I even have time left over to run my business!  Thanks for all your assistance, I feel confident that I now have a full and complete understanding of the Act, the required forms, and the systems and procedures to put in place to make certain that we can comply full with the Act."                    Chris Kamen, Classic Guitars International

Mandatory Disclaimer: 

This guide is intended to provide guidelines and advice for importers (and foreign exporters) to assist in the entry and sale of logs, lumber, veneer, and other processed wood goods within the United States. Although much of this information should be suitable for the paper industry as well, it is not designed specifically for that product category.

The information provided here is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date of printing and is provided in good faith to assist you in navigating through the complexities of the Lacey Act. However it is important to remain up to date on current regulations and requirements. This should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Consult your legal representative, your customs specialists and your trade associations for additional information or clarifications. Use of this guide does not imply or specifically provide any protection against prosecution, nor do the authors assume any liability for the results of your actions in following the advice provided here. 

Finally, self certification by a company regarding the legality of its wood purchases is no guarantee against Federal prosecution under the Lacey Act. It will however, help reduce a company’s likelihood of becoming the target of malicious prosecution and will provide a significant adjunct to any required defense.