RUPERT, Vt.—A U.S. ban on Canadian products took effect Sept. 29, but maple syrup is NOT among the products barred from entering the country, despite an earlier CBS News report indicating that it would be.

The International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) reviewed the official White House documents and says maple syrup does not appear on the list of Canadian products excluded from importation into the United States.

“There is currently no announced U.S. tariff or import ban on Canadian maple syrup under Section 338,” IMSI Executive Director Kaylie Stuckey told The Maple News.

The confusion appears to stem, at least in part, from conflicting reports by CBS News.

A CBS News written story published Sept. 8 reported that the products being banned included Canadian motorcycles, whey, molasses and non-alcoholic beer, along with most Canadian alcoholic beverages. Maple syrup was not mentioned.

But a CBS News video published the following day was headlined, “Trump plans to ban Canadian maple syrup amid tariff tiff.” Its description also identified maple syrup among the Canadian products targeted by the administration.

Stuckey said she checked the CBS reports against the actual White House annex identifying the products subject to the Sept. 29 import ban.

“It lists several types of molasses,” Stuckey said. “Maple syrup is not on the list.”

The White House action was taken under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which gives the president authority to impose additional duties or restrict imports under certain circumstances.

The restrictions that took effect Sept. 29 cover 68 tariff classifications, primarily Canadian alcoholic beverages, along with certain dairy-related products and motorcycles. Maple syrup is not included.

John Goldberg, a lobbyist who represents IMSI in Washington, had initially told U.S. maple associations that the proposed ban was broad and included most agricultural products.

After reviewing the final documents, however, Goldberg’s interpretation is that maple syrup is not among the covered products.

The Sept. 29 restrictions are now in effect, and the official federal documents confirm that Canadian maple syrup remains eligible for importation into the United States.