How to ship wooden plywood cards to the US without filling out a TSCA declaration

If you sell or ship wooden maps made of plywood to private customers in the USA, it’s important to know about the requirements of the U.S. law TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act), which regulates the formaldehyde content in wood-based materials. However, there is a fully legal way to avoid the need for each recipient to fill out a TSCA declaration. The GlobalPost team has prepared a step-by-step guide to help you correctly prepare your documents, avoid delays at U.S. customs, and ship your products safely and without unnecessary risks.

1. Get a TSCA Exemption Declaration from the Plywood Manufacturer

If your product is made of plywood, it falls under TSCA Title VI (Formaldehyde Emission Standards). When certified plywood is used, you can obtain a document that officially confirms the material is safe and compliant with EPA requirements. This exempts the final recipient in the U.S. from any actions or declarations.

Request the following document from your supplier or manufacturer:

• EPA TSCA Title VI Certification / Statement of Compliance
  (this document can be provided by the factory, plywood importer, or official distributor).

Example wording:

“This product complies with the formaldehyde emission standards specified in TSCA Title VI and 40 CFR 770.”

You must keep this certificate for your records and include either its copy or a short reference phrase in the invoice. This officially confirms the legal origin of the plywood and greatly simplifies the customs clearance process in the U.S.

2. Add a Short Declaration to the Commercial Invoice

To prevent the recipient from having to confirm TSCA compliance during import, the invoice should include the following statement:

“This shipment is not subject to TSCA. The wooden article complies with TSCA Title VI for composite wood products.”

Or, if your item is made from 100% plywood coated with a safe finish:

“This article is manufactured from EPA-certified TSCA Title VI compliant plywood. Not subject to TSCA reporting.”

In this case, the importer under TSCA regulations is the shipping company (FedEx, USPS, DHL, etc.), not your customer. The carrier simply confirms that the item is “compliant.”

3. Include the Information in the CN23 Declaration or Shipping Invoice

If you are sending parcels through FedEx, DHL, UPS, add the following phrase in the product description field:

“Wooden decorative map made of TSCA Title VI compliant plywood. For personal use. Not subject to TSCA.”

This helps U.S. customs authorities quickly identify that your product fully complies with TSCA regulations and does not require additional checks.

4. Do Not Use Unprocessed or Non-Certified Plywood

If you purchase plywood without a TSCA certificate, the item is considered “unverified composite wood.” In this case, your customer becomes the importer under U.S. law and will be required to fill out a Negative TSCA Certification — which we are trying to avoid.

GlobalPost Recommendation: to avoid delays at U.S. customs and possible delivery refusals, choose only verified plywood suppliers that provide an EPA TSCA Title VI compliant plywood document.

Tips from GlobalPost

• Keep all certificates and documents that confirm your materials comply with TSCA requirements.
• Use English TSCA phrases accurately, as U.S. customs pays close attention to wording.
• Include a clear description of materials and product purpose in the invoice (for example: decorative / personal use).
• Choose a reliable logistics partner with proven experience in international deliveries to the USA.

GlobalPost — your expert in international logistics. We help Ukrainian artisans, brands, and manufacturers ship plywood products to the USA, Canada, and the EU legally, quickly, and safely.

If you need a consultation or a sample of a properly prepared invoice, submit a request — and we’ll provide you with a ready-to-use template for your shipments. Trust your delivery to the professionals — GlobalPost!