FAQ’s
A. General questions on the international requirements for the movement of wood packaging materials
Q.1 What are the international guidelines for the movement of wood packaging materials, as described in ISPM No. 15?
All non-manufactured wood packaging (e.g. pallets, containers, drums, etc.) shipped to any country that has adopted these requirements must be either:
Heat treated or kiln dried to a minimum core temperature of 56°C for at least 30 minutes in a certified facility. Treated wood must display a recognized certification mark enabling identification of where and by whom the treatment has been carried out; orFumigated with an approved chemical by a certified facility.
Packaging material comprised entirely of manufactured wood (e.g. veneer, oriented strand board, particle board, plywood, etc.) or non-wood material (e.g. plastic, metal, cardboard, etc.) are not regulated and do not require certification.
Q.2 Do the ISPM No. 15 wood packaging import requirements apply to all species of wood?
Yes. The guidelines apply to all species of both softwood and hardwood lumber.
Q.3 What are the consequences for exported Canadian wood packaging that does not comply with the wood packaging import requirements?
If Canadian wood packaging does not comply with the requirements, the following may happen: Refused entry (of the shipment) into the importing country; or Destruction of the wood packaging; or Treatment of the wood packaging at the port of entry; or Detention for extensive periods while the consignment is under quarantine.
Q.4 Who will enforce the international wood packaging import requirements?
Once the wood packaging arrives in a country which has implemented ISPM No. 15, the Plant Protection Organizations of that country may inspect the wood packaging materials to ensure the new import requirements are met.
Within Canada, the CFIA will use different measures to enforce the wood packaging regulations. The choice of the measure to be applied will vary according to the severity of the infraction. These may include the issuance of notices of non-compliance up to monetary penalties. The CFIA’s intent is to ensure compliance with the phytosanitary requirements of importing countries and will take the appropriate actions to ensure that Canadian products move expeditiously. As such it is important that the integrity of the CWPCP be of the highest standards.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is currently performing the inspections for wood packaging arriving in our major ports.
Q.5 Do the wood packaging import requirements apply to Canadian non-manufactured wood packaging shipped to a destination country?
Yes.
Q.6 What type of packaging materials are exempt from international IPPC wood packaging import requirements?
The international wood packaging requirements do not apply to:
Manufactured wood (e.g. veneer, oriented strand board, particle board, plywood, etc.); or Non-wood material (e.g. plastic, metal, cardboard, etc.).
*Note: Packaging must be entirely comprised of one of these materials or a combination of these materials to be considered exempt from the international wood packaging import requirements. Packaging made from these exempt materials that also contain coniferous non-manufactured products are regulated and must be certified.
Q.7 What is non-manufactured wood?
Non-manufactured wood is untreated raw wood which is derived directly from the tree and has only undergone primary alterations (e.g. debarking, sawing, shaping, etc.). Non-manufactured wood is often used to construct wood packaging materials such as pallets, drums and spool cases.
Q.8 What is manufactured wood?
Manufactured wood is wood that is comprised wholly of wood based products that have been entirely created by wood glue (e.g. plywood), heat and pressure (e.g. particle board) or a combination thereof. Plywood, oriented strand board, particle board and veneer are examples of manufactured wood that are exempt from the EU softwood packaging import requirements.
Q.9 Does Canada have wood packaging import requirements?
Yes. Please review D-98-08 : Entry Requirements for Wood Packaging Materials Produced in All Areas Other Than the Continental United States.
CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY
59 Camelot Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0Y9
(Tel.: 613-225-2342; Fax: 613-773-7204)
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-98-08e.shtml