Importer checklist

What do you need to import charcoal into the US or Canada?

Wood charcoal enters both countries at a general duty rate of Free, but the paperwork differs. The US asks for a Lacey Act declaration and an Importer Security Filing; Canada checks wood packaging and wants bilingual consumer labels. Here is what to confirm with your broker and carrier before the first container.

Updated: October 21, 2026

What do you need to import charcoal into the US or Canada?

Duty on wood charcoal in the US and Canada

In the US tariff schedule, wood charcoal falls under heading 4402 and the general duty rate for 4402.90.01 is Free. Additional tariffs depend on origin and current trade measures and have changed several times since 2025, so your customs broker confirms the total for the actual entry; do not plan on a rate from an old quotation.

In the 2026 Canadian customs tariff, wood charcoal with 10% or less binder by weight (4402.90.10) is Free at the MFN rate, and other charcoal (4402.90.90) is 6.5%. Lump charcoal usually has no binder; briquettes depend on their composition, so ask for it in the specification and let the broker classify the product.

US: Lacey Act, ISF and sanctions

Wood charcoal (HTS 4402) has needed a Lacey Act plant declaration since 1 October 2009. The importer files it with the entry, naming the genus and species of the wood, the country of harvest, the value and the quantity. Ask the supplier for the species and country of harvest for the actual lot before it ships.

Ocean cargo needs an Importer Security Filing (ISF, 10+2), submitted before the container is loaded at the foreign port. US sanctions bar goods made or derived from Cuban articles (31 CFR 515.204), so Marabu charcoal of Cuban origin cannot be imported into the US; oak, beech, acacia and briquettes are the usual alternatives.

Canada: CFIA, pallets and bilingual labels

Wooden pallets and dunnage must be ISPM 15 treated and marked (CFIA directive D-98-08). Check the requirements for the product itself in CFIA's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) before the first shipment, using the tariff classification your broker confirms.

Prepackaged consumer bags need the product identity and net quantity in English and French under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations. For private-label bags, agree the bilingual wording with your compliance adviser before the artwork is printed.

Pallets and sea transport for both countries

The US also requires ISPM 15 treated and marked wooden packaging (7 CFR 319.40-3); non-compliant pallets can be refused or re-exported. Ask for photos of the pallet marks before loading.

At sea, charcoal falls under the IMDG Code as UN 1361, class 4.2. IMDG Amendment 42-24 applies from 1 January 2026: it removed the former charcoal exemptions and added Special Provision 978. Do not book charcoal as non-dangerous cargo on the basis of an old SP 925 certificate; the shipping line confirms its acceptance and documents for each booking.

What to agree with the supplier before the first container

Agree the product and specification, bag size in kg and lb, pallet type, number of pallets and net load per container, the Incoterm and port of discharge, and which documents the supplier provides: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, species and country-of-harvest details, and any test reports your buyers ask for.

Have your customs broker review the draft documents before the container is loaded. This checklist structures the preparation; your broker and carrier confirm the requirements for the actual goods, origin and route.

US and Canada import checklist for wood charcoal (confirm with your broker)
Item	United States	Canada
General duty, wood charcoal	Free (HTS 4402.90.01); additional tariffs possible	Free (4402.90.10, ≤10% binder); 6.5% (4402.90.90, other)
Wood species declaration	Lacey Act plant declaration: genus, species, country of harvest	Not a Lacey-type declaration; check AIRS for the product
Advance cargo filing	Importer Security Filing (10+2) before loading	Arranged by your broker and carrier
Wooden pallets	ISPM 15 treated and marked	ISPM 15 treated and marked (D-98-08)
Consumer bag labels	English; wording confirmed by your adviser	English and French: identity and net quantity
Cuban-origin goods (e.g. Marabu)	Prohibited	No equivalent prohibition
Sea transport	IMDG 42-24, UN 1361, carrier acceptance	IMDG 42-24, UN 1361, carrier acceptance

Questions buyers ask

Is charcoal duty-free into the US?

The general duty rate for wood charcoal, HTS 4402.90.01, is Free. Additional tariffs can apply depending on origin and current trade measures; your customs broker confirms the total for the actual entry.

Do I need a Lacey Act declaration for charcoal?

Yes. Wood charcoal (HTS 4402) has required a Lacey Act plant declaration since 1 October 2009, naming the genus and species and the country of harvest.

Is charcoal duty-free into Canada?

Wood charcoal with 10% or less binder by weight (4402.90.10) is Free at the MFN rate in the 2026 Canadian tariff; other charcoal (4402.90.90) is 6.5%.

Can I import Marabu charcoal into the US?

Not if it is of Cuban origin: US sanctions bar goods made or derived from Cuban articles. Canada has no equivalent prohibition.

Is charcoal dangerous goods for sea freight?

Yes. Charcoal is UN 1361, class 4.2, under the IMDG Code, and Amendment 42-24 removed the former exemptions from 1 January 2026. The shipping line confirms acceptance for each booking.