Bark and the cambium layer beneath it are the primary habitat for wood-boring insects and bark beetles that can devastate US forests. APHIS requires debarking or approved pest-mitigation treatments for bark-on logs from most origins precisely because these pests are difficult to detect visually and can survive long ocean transits. Debarked or heat-treated timber generally faces a simpler admissibility pathway.

Softwood lumber from Canada has been subject to antidumping and countervailing duty orders, meaning importers must deposit estimated duties at entry and may face retroactive adjustments after administrative reviews. The applicable duty rates vary by producer and review period, so importers should obtain current rate information from CBP and factor potential duty liability into contract pricing. Consulting a licensed customs broker before committing to purchase volumes is strongly advisable.