| Juspaq Ltd. | |
| Specialist Packing and Case Making Service Electronics, Hazardous and Fragile, Household Effects, all Packaging is ISPM 15 Compliant. |
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| Guide to current ISPM15 implementation and import regulations for wood packaging materials. Updated 8th November 2005 | |
Argentina: |
Argentina Argentina will implement ISPM 15 gradually. Full implementation will take effect 1 January 2006. |
| Australia: |
Australia (AQIS)
implemented ISPM 15 in September 2004, but not in respect of Wood Packaging Material (WPM) used in air cargo. From January 1st 2006, Australia will require all WPM and dunnage to be ISPM 15 compliant and marked. In addition, all WPM and dunnage must be bark-free and, if fumigated, the exposure time must be 24 hours, not 16 hours as in ISPM 15. The UK Wood Packaging Material Marking Programme (UKWPMMP) already requires that fumigation is carried out over 24 hours. (Updated 21 September 2005).
(AQIS) formally implemented ISPM 15 alongside their existing import requirements for wood packaging material effective from 1 September 2004. This will give shippers a choice of which option to choose and is mainly for the benefit of countries that have not yet implemented ISPM 15. In addition to heat treatment or fumigation by methyl bromide (for 24 hours - not 16 hours as currently cited in ISPM 15) wood packaging material must also be debarked. Details of the new rules are set out in AQIS Notice to Industry No. 19 available at this link. (Last update: 17 August 2004). Information on Australian regulations Notice to Industry No. 19 Examples of AQIS supplier/packer declarations, for full container loads are available here; Full container load declaration for less than a full container load go this address; Part container load declaration Suppliers (i.e. exporters) do not need to put ISPM 15 numbers on the packing declarations. The only number that is required is a numerical link between the declaration and the container/shipment. The intention is for the supplier (i.e. the exporter) to fill out the declaration as they are the ones that will be targeted for increased surveillance/profiling should surveillance show there to be a problem. AQIS advise that it has no concerns with packaging made solely of reconstituted wood products. Reconstituted wood products are those that no longer contain solid wood as a result of the manufacturing process and include particleboard, chipboard, masonite, oriented strand board, medium and high density fibreboard. AQIS have published the following Public Quarantine Alerts which wood packaging manufacturers and exporters using packaging materials made from processed wood products should familiarise themselves with -
All of these PQA's can be viewed on AQIS's site www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_alertscontent.asp
Note: AQIS commenced a review of import requirements for plywood in late 2004. Until this review is completed, plywood will continue to be a quarantine concern.
Packing material made of plywood is acceptable for facilitated quarantine clearance, that is without inspection or further treatment, provided the plywood is newly manufactured (i.e. not pre-used), is manufactured in: Australia, Canada, Europe, Israel, Japan, United Kingdom or USA within three months of shipment; or countries other than those above, within 21 days of shipment, and in every case accompanied by an acceptable certificate that includes the country of manufacture, the date of manufacture and a statement that the plywood has not been pre-used. Alternatively, packing material made of either new or pre-used plywood may qualify for facilitated clearance if treated offshore by an AQIS approved method. Acceptable treatment certificates must accompany such consignments. Upon arrival, packing material made of plywood that does not meet the newly manufactured requirements above or has not been appropriately treated offshore will be subject to inspection, treatment, re-export or destruction with all options at the importer's expense. Import conditions for bulk imports of plywood are provided in the AQIS Import Conditions database ICON, available at www.aqis.gov.au/icon. Full details of the above guidance can be viewed in AQIS's Cargo Containers - Quarantine aspects and procedures manual which is updated on a regular basis at www.affa.gov.au/content/publications.cfm?ObjectID=90AE2E1C-BD98-406F-914BECBE8EF22C37
Phytosanitary Certificate not required
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| Bolivia: |
Bolivia
has announced its intention to implement ISPM 15 - subject to a 60 day consultation period. |
| Brazil: |
Brazil
lodged an application with the WTO announcing intent to implement ISPM 15. Commencement date and requirements will be published when known. |
| Canada: |
Canada
will from 16 September 2005 increase the enforcement of the ISPM 15 standard on all Wood Packaging Material (WPM)entering the country. Previously, non-compliant shipments were allowed into Canada, and notification letters from CFIA were sent to NPPO officials to notify them of violations. This initial voluntary period ceased on 15 September 2005. Canada is stepping up its enforcement in three stages.Phase 1, 16 September 2005: Canada will refuse entry to shipments found to have infested wood packaging (during this preliminary period, only signs of infestation will prevent entry of shipments) with the exception of ship's dunnage. Ship's dunnage will be treated or disposed of if non-compliant (i.e. with signs of living pests, or no ISPM 15 mark, or no Phytosanitary Certificate). Phase 2, 1 February 2006: Canada will refuse entry to any Wood Packaging found to be non-compliant (i.e. with signs of living pests, or no ISPM 15 mark, or no Phytosanitary Certificate) with the exception of ship's dunnage. Ship's dunnage will be treated or disposed of if non-compliant. Phase 3, 1 July 2006: Canada will refuse entry to all Wood Packaging materials including ship's dunnage found to be non-compliant. Access to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) questions and answers: Link to Canadian Food Inspection Agency questions and answers
Phytosanitary Certificate not required
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| Chile: |
Chile
lodged a WTO notification announcing implementation of ISPM 15 from 1 June 2005. Further details of the Chilean requirements will be posted later. |
| China: |
China
is a difficult subject regarding Wood Packaging Materials: China confirmed (updated 5 September 2005) that ISPM 15 compliant wood packaging material would be accepted without a Phytosanitary Certificate or wood packaging which complies with Announcement 2002/58 with a Phytosanitary Certificate.Despite the above: China is composed of a number of provinces; each with their own view of regulations; there have been problems getting shipments cleared without a certificate. Until the issue is fully clarified and resolved; we recommend that all shipments involving Wood Packaging material are accompanied with a Phytosanitary Certificate. The Forestry Commission is quite prepared to issue certificates for China; even if not really required. China prefers that packaging, that does not comprise of any wood, is accompanied by an 'non-wood packaging declaration'.
Phytosanitary Certificate not required, but please note the above information and recommendation.
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| Colombia: |
Colombia
ISPM15 to be implemented and enforced 15 September 2005. |
| Costa Rica: |
Costa Rica
ISPM 15 to be implemented and enforced 16 September 2005 |
| Ecuador: |
Ecuador
announced its intention to implement ISPM 15 as of 30 September 2005. Details of Ecuador's requirements are currently not available. |
| Egypt: |
will implement ISPM 15 as of 1 October 2005. Full requirements not known to date. |
| EU: |
The EU
has announced new landing requirements effective 1st March 2005. The new landing requirements apply for wood, wood products and wooden packaging material arriving in the European Community from all countries, except Switzerland. The landing requirement does not apply to wood, wood products and wooden packaging material which is simply moving from one EU member state to another. Additionally there is no Phytosanitary Certificate requirement for wooden packaging material arriving in the EC, which is ISPM 15 compliant as the certification is provided via the ISPM 15 wood mark.The new rules, which are set out in Council Directive 2004/102/EC, will be incorporated into UK national legislation as quickly as possible, once the final implementing details are agreed in Brussels. For most wood products, the existing requirements will continue to apply. New treatment options, such as heat treatment for all conifer wood, regardless of country of origin, have been agreed AND THESE WILL BE ACCEPTED in Great Britain from 1 March 2005. More detailed information regarding the new treatment options can be found here: Click for more information
Wood packaging material (WPM)
will also be affected following EU implementation of ISPM 15 on 1 March. From that date, all WPM, such as boxes, crates, pallets, which are made using un-manufactured wood products, MUST meet the new requirements and be either heat treated or fumigated with Methyl bromide under an officially approved programme and carry the internationally agreed mark. WPM comprised entirely of manufactured wood products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or similar is EXEMPT, and need not be treated or marked.
Note:
the requirement in Directive 2004/102/EC that all WPM must be made from debarked wood has been suspended for one year i.e. 1 March 2006 and WILL NOT therefore be enforced. Directive 2005/15/EC dated 28 February 2004 gives details of this amendment.
Emergency measures:
In the meantime the emergency measures covering WPM from Canada, China, Japan and the USA will remain in place, pending review. This means coniferous WPM from these countries must be heat treated, chemically pressure impregnated or Methyl bromide fumigated and marked (and from China, only, be accompanied by a Phytosanitary certificate). In addition, non-coniferous WPM from China must be EITHER bark-free and free of insect bore holes >3 mm across OR kiln-dried.For all WPM manufactured after 28 February 2005, the mark must also include the IPPC1 logo - 
1 IPPC - International Plant Protection Convention. For WPM manufactured before that date, and until 31 December 2007, the mark need only contain the country code, the producer code and the treatment code. After 1 January 2008, all WPM will need to have the full ISPM 15 mark, including the IPPC logo.
Dunnage
From 1 March 2005, and until 31 December 2007, all dunnage must either be bark-free, free of pests and signs of live pests OR be heat treated or fumigated with Methyl bromide and carry the ISPM 15 mark incorporating the country code, the producer code and the treatment code. For treated and marked dunnage there is no requirement for the wood to be debarked until 1 March 2006. After 1 January 2008., all dunnage will need to have the full ISPM 15 mark, including the IPPC logo.
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| Guatemala: |
Guatemala
has lodged a notification with the WTO of it's intent to implement ISPM 15 compliance for imported and exported timber as of 25 January 2005. As of date; the requirement has not been initiated; the requirement is being queried by the UK Forestry Commission. As and when we have further information, we shall publish it on our Web-Site.
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| Hong Kong: |
Hong Kong
does not have the same requirements as mainland China. Wood packaging must be pest and vermin free. For further information, Hong Kong plant health authorities:www.afcd.gov.hk/quarantine/animals_e.htm
Phytosanitary Certificate not required - unless goods are transiting to main land China via Hong Kong
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| India: |
India
has published details of its landing requirements. ISPM 15 was implemented on 1 November 2004. Wood packaging material must be either heat treated or fumigated.
Click here for more information: www.plantquarantineindia.org/packing.htm
Phytosanitary Certificate not required
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| Indonesia: |
Indonesia
No official confirmation received. |
| Japan: |
Japan
has indicated its intention to implement ISPM 15 but no date has been advised. |
| Mexico: |
Mexico
stipulated that all wood packaging material should be fully compliant with ISPM 15. Phase in period 16 September 2005 until 1 February 2006. During the phase in period Mexico will continue notifying importers when non-compliant wood packaging is found. Consignments which arrive with wood packaging that is infested with quarantine pests may be prohibited from entering and financial penalties may be imposed.As of 1 February 2006, imports must comply with the requirements of ISPM 15 or be subject to removal from the importing country. Click here for more information: Mexico and ISPM 15 (English version)
Phytosanitary Certificate not required
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| Nigeria: |
Nigeria
states: 'all wood packaging material and dunnage must be marked with the IPPC logo and be accompanied with a certificate of treatment. In the absence of the IPPC logo and certificate of treatment it must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Plant Protection Organisation of the exporting country'.Nigeria implemented ISPM 15 on 30 September 2004. The Forestry Commission have requested details of the information required to be included on the treatment certificate i.e. would a fumigation Certificate or Certificate of Conformity suffice. We shall monitor the Forestry Commission web site for further details and, as soon as known, up to date information will be published on this page. According to the Forestry Commission; no ISPM 15 compliant material shipped without a treatment certificate has been rejected by the Nigerian Authorities.
Phytosanitary Certificate not required - other than as stipulated above
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| Peru: |
Peru
has advised that it will implement ISPM 15 from 1 September 2005. |
| Phillipines: |
Philippines
implemented ISPM 15 on 1 June 2005. From that date, all wood packaging material (such as cases, crating, dunnage, drums, load boards, packing blocks, pallets, pallet collars, and skids) must be treated and marked in accordance with ISPM15.More information: E-mail: epad.polreser@eurdormail.com |
| Samoa: |
Samoa
requires a Phytosanitary Certificate unless wood packaging material is ISPM 15 compliant.All wood packaging material must be free of bark, quarantine pests, decay and other fungi and soil. All wood packaging material will be inspected on arrival in Samoa. |
| Singapore: |
Singapore
does not require ISPM 15 compliance. However, for transhipment cargo, and any cargo that is imported solely for re-export, it is recommended that the wood packaging material should be treated and certified at the country of origin in accordance with the destination country's requirements for wood packaging material.
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| South Africa: |
South Africa
has confirmed implementation of ISPM 15 from 1 January 2005 with full enforcement from 1 March 2005. |
| South Korea: |
South Korea
has notified WTO that it is implementing ISPM 15 and that it will only accept WPM manufactured from wood of pine (pinus) from certain Pine Wood Nematode countries where it has been fumigated with Methyl bromide for a minimum period of 24 hours. Countries include; Japan, China, Taiwan, US, Canada, Mexico, Portugal and Vietnam. These requirements are to be effective for consignments shipped on and after 1 June 2005 from the country of export.This will have no direct impact on exports from the UK using packaging manufactured in the UK. Apart from not having Pine Wood Nematode present, fumigations under the UK Wood Packaging Material Marking Programme must be over a 24 hour period. More information: www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/kor_138add1.pdf/$FILE/kor_138add1.pdf
Phytosanitary certificate not required
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| Sri Lanka: |
Sri Lanka
adopted ISPM 15 as 1 March 2004 no confirmation of enforcement date. |
| Switzerland: | Switzerland and the EU have reached an 'agreement of equivalence'. Wood packaging emanating from this market can be regarded in the same manner as that from any EU member state. |
| Taiwan: |
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu
will implement ISPM 15 on imported wood packaging material from 1 November 2005. |
| Trinidad and Tobago: |
Trinidad an Tobago
adopted ISPM 15 from 15 September 2005. Enforcement date is yet to be announced.All regulated wood packaging material from Trinidad and Tobago will stamped in accordance with ISPM 15. |
| Turkey: |
Turkey
has deferred implementation of ISPM 15 until 1st January 2006. All wood packaging entering Turkey must be debarked and either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and marked in accordance with ISPM 15. |
| Ukraine: |
Ukraine
has announced its intention to implement ISPM 15 from 1 October 2005. |
| USA: |
The USA
will implement landing requirements for wood packaging material, including dunnage, with effect 16th September 2005. All wood packaging material and dunnage will be required to be heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and marked in accordance with ISPM 15 on at least one vertical surface.Whilst the use of ISPM wood packaging is not mandatory at present, it is advisable to use it to prevent chances of delaying cargo at ports.
Phytosanitary certificate not required
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| New Zealand: | New Zealand announced eight new import regulations including one for wood packaging material - published April 2003. Although existing standards for imported wood packaging still apply ISPM 15 has been added to the list of acceptable treatments. For more information visit: www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity/imports/forests
Phytosanitary certificate not required
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| UK Requirements: | As the United Kingdom has already adopted and implemented ISPM 15, it is important for exporters to be aware that goods returned, for whatever reason and whatever origin, to the UK will be subject to the regulations. It is important, therefor, to ensure that all wood packaging used conforms to ISPM 15. Wooden packaging: the term does not solely refer to packaging entirely constructed from wood; any package that has a component, I.e. battening, decking, dunnage, dependent upon wood is subject to the regulations. |
| Why?: | We encounter numerous companies and persons who see the regulations as just another step by the authorities to interfere in their normal business transactions. This is not so. Pests (take that to include bacterial, fungal, infestation) that are of nominal importance - and those which are not - in their local environment can have a devastating effect when transposed elsewhere. The UK suffered the loss of Elm trees (around 20 million trees) not so long ago, at the present the UK is faced with the prospect of losing the Oak tree. The fungus Phytophthora ramorum has infested the Oak, the Beech and the Sweet Chestnut. The disease has already wiped out large numbers of the Tan Oak - which is not a true Oak - in California and southern parts of Oregon: the mortality rate is as much as 80%. The aim of ISPM 15 is to control, if not entirely prevent, the spread of plant disease from one country to another. |
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