Commercial Crating, Inc.

 

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Wood Packaging Material (WPM) Program

In the U.S., monitoring and auditing of wood packaging (pallets, crates, boxes, etc.) manufacturing facilities is required to meet US Customs and European Union standards.  Under the WPM program, which we employ, an agency monitors the conformance of approved wood packaging facilities to the ALSC WPM program and the International Standard of Plant Management (ISPM) No. 15, "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade".  The ALSC WPM program operates under a Memorandum of Understanding with the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

In Canada, certification and monitoring of wood packaging facilities is conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
 

Export Requirements for Wood Packaging
Updated February 14, 2007

The list of countries that have adopted or announced their intention to adopt regulations concerning import requirements for wood packaging continues to grow. Most countries are moving to draft regulations that meet the International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15, "Guidelines for regulating wood packaging in international trade". This standard recognizes wood that has been heat treated to 56 C at the core for 30 minutes, and the ALSC/APHIS program meets these requirements.

The following compilation is intended to provide the most current information we have on the various regulations as we understand them.  A helpful spreadsheet is available from FASonline's Wood Trade Policy website with up to date information.  Follow the Wood Packaging Material Import Requirements by Country link.

Argentina - Effective June 1, 2005, Argentina is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

Australia - Effective September 1, 2004, all wood packaging must conform to the ISPM No. 15.  Australia has the additional requirement that all the wood be bark-free with a packaging declaration from the supplier/exporter.  For fumigation, Australia requires methyl bromide at 48 grams per cubic meter for 24 hours.

Bolivia - Effective May 24, 2005, Bolivia is requiring ISPM No. 15.  Bolivia has added the additional requirement of requiring all wood to be debarked.

Brazil - Effective June 1, 2005, Brazil is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes. In the absence of ISPM 15 compliant packaging, Brazil requires the packaging to be free of bark, free of live insects, and free of signs of potential insect infestation (insect damage).

Bulgaria - Effective June 1, 2006, Bulgaria will be enforcing ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

Canada - Like the U.S. and Mexico, as of January 2, 2004 Canada adopted ISPM No. 15 for wood packaging imported into Canada. Enforcement will begin September 16, 2005. Enforcement will take place in 3 phases.  In Phase 1(9/16/05-1/31/06) non-compliant shippers will be notified of non-compliance.  In Phase 2(2/1/06-7/4/06) violative crates and pallets will be re-exported back to their origins, but the products will be repackaged at shippers cost.  In Phase 3(7/5/06-Onward) full enforcement of ISPM No. 15.  Noncompliant material will be rejected.  Wood packaging originating in the U.S. will be exempt from the requirements.

Chile - Effective June 1, 2005, Chile is requiring ISPM No. 15.  Chile has added the additional requirement of requiring all wood to be bark-free.

China - The People’s Republic of China adopted ISPM No. 15 as of March 1, 2004 with enforcement to begin January 1, 2006.  They require the wood to be bark-free. Mythyl bromide fumigation will not be accepted as a treatment option for countries with pine wood nematode (the United States and Canada).  China is currently accepting wood packaging marked with the IPPC logo prior to the Jan. 1 enforcement date, however PLIB suggests continuing to use the current system as well as the IPPC stamp on shipments.

Columbia -  Effective September 15, 2005, Columbia is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

Costa Rica - Effective January 1, 2005, Costa Rica is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.  Enforcement will begin March 19, 2006.  In addition, Costa Rica requires a mark of (TT) for heat treatment and (BM) for methyl bromide fumication for WPM.  These additional requirements will be enforced as of September 15, 2005.

Ecuador -  Effective September 30, 2005, Ecuador is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

Egypt - Effective October 1, 2005, Egypt is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

EU - Effective November 10, 2003, the European Union adopted ISPM No. 15.  Enforcement began March 1, 2005.  Dunnage must be treated and marked (or until December 31, 2007, bark-free and free of pests ); Until December 31, 2007, ISPM No. 15 marking requirements are not applicable for WPM manufactured, repaired, or recycled before February 28, 2004.   Note: On February 24, 2005 the EU suspended the debarking requirement of WPM until January 1, 2009.  Thereafter, wood packaging material will be required to be made from debarked wood.

Guatemala - Effective January 25, 2005, Guatemala is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.  Enforcement is set to begin at the same time the exporting country requires it.  For the United States and Canada, that would be September 16, 2005.

Honduras - Effective March 3, 2006, Honduras is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

India - Effective November 1, 2004, India requires ISPM No. 15 with no changes.  India will also accept a phytosanitary certificate endorsing ISPM No. 15 treatment, however APHIS will not issue phytosanitary certificates for the movement of WPM used in the transport of commodities.

Indonesia - Effective May 29, 2006, Indonesia is requiring ISPM No. 15.  Indonesia has added the additional requirements that the packaging material be debarked and soil-free.  As well they require a packaging declaration from the county of origin.

Japan - Japan is having a transition period from October 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007 for ISPM No. 15.  They are going to enforce ISPM No. 15 starting April 1, 2007.

Jordan - Effective November 17, 2005, Jordan is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes. 

Mexico - Along with the U.S. and Canada, Mexico agreed to implement ISPM No. 15 measures beginning January 2, 2004, with enforcement of the rule in Mexico began September 16, 2005. Enforcement will take place in 3 phases.  In Phase 1(9/16/05-1/31/06) non-compliant shippers will be notified of non-compliance.  In Phase 2(2/1/06-7/4/06) violative crates and pallets will be re-exported back to their origins, but the products will be repackaged at shippers cost.  In Phase 3(7/5/06-Onward) full enforcement of ISPM No. 15.  In November, 2003, Mexico established a national program for treating and marking wood packing material for wood exported from Mexico.  WPM exported to Mexico as a shipment rather than used to support/protect/transport shipments, staying within 20km of the United States/Mexico border or moving beyond the 20k zone must have a phytosanitary certificate as well as a declaration that the shipment is free from gypsy moth, European Lyctus Beetle, and Formosan termite.  A phytosanitary certificate is not required for an WPM exported as a shipment, remaining temporarily within 20km of the United States/Mexico border.

New Zealand - Effective April 29, 2003, New Zealand adopted ISPM No. 15 with the requirement that all wood be bark-free.  Currently, New Zealand will also accept WPM treated using the following methods: fumigation with methyl bromide, fumigation with phosphine, heat treatment, chemical preservation to full sapwood concentration.

Nigeria - Effective September 30, 2004, Nigeria is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

Norway - Effective January 1, 2008, Norway is requiring ISPM No. 15.  It is suggested to be without bark and all dunnage must be square and without rounding.

Panama - Panama currently has no requirements for import of WPM.

Peru - Effective January 1, 2006, Peru is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.  The USDA suggests stamping ISPM No. 15 immediately, however.

Philippines - Effective June 1, 2005, the Philippines are requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

South Africa - Effective March 1, 2005, South Africa is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

South Korea - Effective December 7, 2006, Korea is requiring ISPM No. 15.  Korea has added the additional requirements that methyl bromide fumigation not be used as a treatment option for those countries with the pinewood nematode (the United States and Canada).  As well, Korea requires the treatment and marking of all dunnage.

Switzerland - Please see notes about the European Union.  Enforcement began March 1, 2005.

Trinidad and Tobago - Effective September 15, 2005, Trinidad and Tobago are requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.

Turkey - Effective October 5, 2004, Turkey adopted ISPM No. 15. Enforcement is set to begin January 1, 2006. Turkey has added the additional requirement that all packaging material to be made from debarked wood.

United States - Effective June 6, 2004, the United States adopted ISPM No. 15 with no changes.  Enforcement began September 16, 2005. Enforcement will take place in 3 phases.  In Phase 1(9/16/05-1/31/06) non-compliant shippers will be notified of non-compliance.  In Phase 2(2/1/06-7/4/06) violative crates and pallets will be re-exported back to their origins, but the products will be repackaged at shippers cost.  In Phase 3(7/5/06-Onward) full enforcement of ISPM No. 15.   WPM from Canada is exempt from the regulation, however it is still subject to inspection.

Venezuela - Effective June 1, 2005, Venezuela is requiring ISPM No. 15 with no changes.
 

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