The UK Wood Packaging Material Marking Programme


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For other information on countries not listed please go to

Last Update: 2nd April 2013

ISPM15 countries

WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL

Argentina

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Argentina implemented ISPM15 on 1 January 2006. To view notification

(in Spanish)
(Last Updated: 21/11/2005)

Australia

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Australia - UK exporters are advised that the Australian Quarantine requirements prohibit the entry of wood products infected with non indigenous bluestain. It should be noted that treatment in accordance with ISPM 15 specifications is not lethal to bluestain fungi, and in fact heat treatment in the absence of moisture reduction is likely to increase susceptibility to infection.

Our advice, therefore, is to use only wood packaging material which, in addition to having been either heat treated or fumigated to ISPM 15 specifications, has additionally been kiln-dried to below 20% moisture content. This may be indicated by the mark 'KD' or 'kiln-dried' on the wood packaging unit (including dunnage), but it must not be included within the border of the ISPM 15 mark. As any timber, including kiln dried material, has a tendency absorb condensation during long voyages in a freight container, kiln drying does not guarantee that bluestain infection will not develop.

Australia - has published Notice 30

Introduction of mandatory treatment requirements for all solid wood packaging and dunnage, effective 1 January 2006. From that date Australia has begun to phase in mandatory treatment requirements for all solid wood packaging and dunnage.Australia implemented ISPM15 in September 2004, but not in respect of WPM used in air cargo. From 1 January 2006, Australia will require all WPM and dunnage to be ISPM15 compliant and marked (to view WTO notification

). In addition, all WPM and dunnage must be bark-free and, if fumigated, the exposure time must be 24hours, not 16 hours as in ISPM15 (under review). The UKWPMMP already requires that fumigation is carried out over 24 hours. (Updated 21 September 2005).

During the phase in period, until 1 May 2006, there will be no changes to the quarantine clearance arrangements for containerised sea-freight packaging timber. The FCL/FCX and LCL Broker Accreditation Schemes will continue as normal.

During this phase, however, AQIS will monitor compliance with the new treatment requirements for wood packaging associated with imported break-bulk and air cargo. Break bulk and air cargo consignments will be subject to surveillance by AQIS and stickers alerting importers to the new treatment requirements will be placed on cargo that does not bear ISPM15 treatment stamps. (Updated 22 February 2006).

(AQIS) formally implemented ISPM15 alongside their existing regulations with effect from 1 September 2004. This action gives exporters a choice of treatment options to choose and is mainly for the benefit of countries that do not have ISPM15 compliant wood marking programmes in place yet. Details of the new rules are set out in AQIS Notice to Industry No 19

. (Last updated:17 August 2004). To view examples of AQIS supplier/packer declarations, (full container loads

) (less than full container loads

). (Last update 23 August 2004).

The declarations can be completed by the Exporter as AQIS have confirmed that their reference to 'Suppliers' also eant 'Exporters'. Suppliers (i.e. the exporters) do not need to put UKWPMMP/ISPM 15 unique registration numbers on the packing declarations. the only number that is required is a numerical to link between the declaration and the container/shipment. The intention is for the supplier to fill out the declaration as they are the ones that AQIS will be targeting for increased surveillance/profiling if surveillance shows a problem.

We have been advised that AQIS has no quarantine concerns with packing 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 -

PQA0389 - Importation of peeler cores as packaging or dunnage

PQA0390 - Amended import conditions for panel products

PQA0404 - Changed import requirements for packing made solely from reconstituted wood products (includes particleboard, chipboard, masonite, oriented strand board (OSB), medium and high density fibreboard).

All of these PQA's can be viewed on AQIS's site.

Documentation requirements for clearance of imported cargo

Please find the Industry Notice 61/2009

from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) relating to documentation requirements for the clearance of imported cargo. Note that Australia no longer requires a “Newly Manufactured Plywood Declaration” for plywood/veneer packaging material. This is with immediate effect. (Updated 13 November 2009).

In case of queries, contact:

Timber and Timber Products National Co-ordination Centre
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
email: timber.imports@aqis.gov.au

Import conditions for bulk imports of plywood are provided in the AQIS Import Conditions database 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.

Examples of treatment certificates and packaging declarations required by AQIS can be found on their website at -
http://www.daffa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/138542/eg_acceptable.pdf

Australia adopts ISPM15 bark tolerance for imports of wood packaging material wef 1 July 2010.

Following the adoption of the revised version of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication No. 15: Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (ISPM 15) in April 2009, Biosecurity Services Group (BSG) undertook to review Australias requirement for bark freedom on solid wood packaging material. >From 1 July 2010 Australia will accept solid wood packaging material that is treated and marked as ISPM 15 compliant and meets the bark tolerance requirements defined in the revised ISPM 15 standard. This requires that solid wood packaging material be debarked, but allows a tolerance for small pieces of bark that have not been completely removed during milling.

This tolerance for bark will also apply to solid wood packaging treated with other AQIS approved treatments. The bark free declaration is still required but the ISPM 15 tolerance limits apply. Any wood packaging and dunnage exceeding the ISPM 15 bark tolerance limit will be subject to treatment, export or destruction at the importers expense.

Further details can be viewed on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service's website and AQIS's Notice to Industry No. 18-2010 'Adoption of bark tolerance for imports defined in the wood packaging standard ISPM 15'

(Last Updated: 30/06/2010)

Bangladesh

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Bangladesh has implemented ISPM15 and is now a landing requirement. More information to follow.
(Last Updated: 10/07/2012)

Bolivia

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Bolivia implemented ISPM15 on 24 July 2005. To view the WTO notification

(in Spanish) dated 24th May 2005.
(Last Updated: 14/03/2007)

Brazil

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Brazil has confirmed that it will accept wood packaging material with the IPPC mark as the phytosanitary certification. To see correspondence

from the Embassy of Brazil.
(Last Updated: 26/06/2007)

Canada

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Canada - Starting September 16^th 2005 Canada, the United States and Mexico will increase the enforcement of the ISPM 15 Standard on all Wood Packaging material entering their borders. In the past, non-compliant shipments were allowed in Canada, and notification letters from CFIA were sent to the NPPO officials (through Post) to advise them of the violations. This initial voluntary period will expire on Sept 15th, and Canada will begin stepping up its enforcement in three phases.

Phase 1 September 16: Canada will refuse entry on shipments found to have infested wood packaging (during this preliminary period, only signs of infestation would prevent entry of shipments) with the exception of ship's dunnage. Ship's dunnage will be treated or disposed if non-compliant (i.e. with signs of living pests, or no ISPM15 mark, or no Phytosanitary Certificate).

Phase 2 February 1, 2006: Canada will refuse entry for any wood packaging found to be non-compliant (i.e. with signs of living pests, or no ISPM15 mark, or no Phytosanitary Certificate) with the exception of ship's dunnage. Ship's dunnage will be treated or disposed if non-compliant.

Phase 3 July 1, 2006: Canada will refuse entry on all wood packaging materials including ship's dunnage found to be non-compliant.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Directive D-98-08 (5th Revision) will be updated soon. To view the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Q & A

Canada announces new timber import requirements

details can be viewed in The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Directive D-98-08 (7th Revision) . To view the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Q & A

(Last Updated: 09/07/2008)

Chile

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Chile implemented ISPM 15 on 1 June 2005. To view their notification

.Note: further details of the Chilean requirements will be posted later.
(Last Updated: 14/03/2007)

China

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China - officially implemented ISPM15 on 1st of January 2006

April 2 2013
Changes to Import Procedures for Stone products from China

The Forestry Commission (FC) in liaison with Border Force and HMRC will amend Customs import procedures to ensure that the clearance of all stone products from China with Commodity Codes 2514 (Slate), 2515 (Marble), 2516 (Granite), 6801 (Flagstone) and 6802 (Building stone) will be inhibited pending a percentage physical examination. The checks are in response to new EU legislation (Commission Implementing Decision 2013/92/EU) to protect the EU from Asian Longhorn Beetle being imported from China in wood packaging material which provides a pathway for the pest.

From 2nd April 2013 The National Clearance Hub (HMRC) will hold all entries of stone products originating in China with commodity codes 2514, 2515, 2516, 6801 and 6802, and the customs entries will only be released after a Forestry Commission inspection has been carried out and/or the necessary quarantine release certificate (QRC) is endorsed by FC Inspectors and presented with the import entry. Importers will need to complete an ‘Inspection Request’ (also used as the QRC) document.

Contact details (Click here)

of Local Forestry Commission Plant Health Inspectors at Points of Entry

Inspection request form (pdf) - (Click here)

Word version - (Click here)

Copies of all Inspection request forms must also be sent to the Plant Health Service, Edinburgh via email at – plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk'

, or by fax to 0131 314 6148. It is absolutely essential that all Inspection Request forms submitted include details of the Customs Entry Number and date.

Exports to China - Issues over the 'Re-Use' of Wood Packaging Material - Update (2 August 2011)

At the end of June we advised UKWPMMP members of an issue in China whereby AQSIQ inspectors were intercepting consignments from Europe because articles of wood packaging material were being found to have country ISO codes within ISPM15 marks that did not relate to the country of re-export. The example given involved a German 'DE' marked pallet which had been air-freighted to China from Austria (AT) and therefore it was deemed to be non-complaint.

Having raised the issue as a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) matter with the Chinese Authorities as one in which their approach did not reflect the guidance provided in ISPM15 regarding the re-use of wood packaging material, the European Commission has advised us that the matter has now been resolved and AQSIQ representatives have provided the following statement -

'Wood packaging material

AQSIQ agrees with the EU interpretation of ISPM 15, they will issue a notice to CIQs to clarify that wood packaging material ISPM compliant can be accepted even if its origin is not from the country of expedition. EU should signal problems if they remain.'

UK exporters are therefore asked to note that the problem has been resolved but that they should continue to report any instances where barriers to export of compliant ISPM15 wood packaging material remain in China.

Exports to China - Issues over the 'Re-Use' of Wood Packaging Material (June 23rd 2011)

We have recently been made aware via a major international freight forwarding company that AQSIQ inspectors in China are intercepting consignments from Europe because articles of wood packaging material are being found to have country ISO codes within the ISPM. 15 mark that do not relate to the country of re-export. The example given involved a German 'DE' marked pallet which had been air-freighted to China from Austria (AT) and therefore it was deemed to be non-complaint.

Through its contacts with the British Embassy in Beijing the Forestry Commission's Plant Health Service advised AQSIQ representatives in China that as para 4.3.1 of ISPM 15 makes it clear that if an article of wood packaging material is simply being 're-used' and shipped from one country to another and then another - no further official intervention is required. It is only in instances where the WPM is being repaired or remanufactured that official intervention in the form of re-treatment or remarking is necessary.

In their response AQSIQ officials commented that wood packaging material must be re-treated and re-marked in the country of re-export, regardless the fact that it was treated and marked in the country of origin before.

Given the difference of opinion on the 're-use' definition for wood packaging material within ISPM15, which is affecting exporters in a number of EU member States, the UK's National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) is liaising with the European Commission with a view to raising the matter as a challenge through Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) or bilateral processes.

Whilst the process of an EC or bilateral challenge is being considered, UKWPMMP members are advised to note the situation and to inform their exporting clients of the fact that articles of wood packaging material bearing a country ISO Code within the ISPM15 mark, which does not relate to the country of re-export, then AQSIQ Inspectors may intercept it and order remedial fumigation action.

The Forestry Commission's Plant Health Service will advise UKWPMMP members, via TIMCON, of the outcome of any EC or bilateral challenge to China as soon as the results are known.

Notice 11 (see Clarification Note) and Notice 32. China continues to encourage exporters to use the 'Declaration of use of non wood packaging material'.

See details here in the Phyto News.
The Forestry Commission has decided to cease issuing phytosanitary Certificates for ISPM15 Wood material, from immediate effect. Please read information above.
(Last Updated: 02/04/2013)

Colombia

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Colombia - has implemented ISPM15 via Resolution No. 01074.
(Last Updated: 24/09/2008)

Costa Rica

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Costa Rica - implemented ISPM15 on 19 March 2006. To view notification

(in Spanish).
(Last Updated: 14/03/2007)

Cuba

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Cuba - will implement ISPM15 on 1st October 2008. To view notification

.
(Last Updated: 03/07/2008)

Dominican Republic

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Dominican Republic - implemented ISPM15 on 1 July 2006. To view notification

(in Spanish).
(Last Updated: 13/06/2006)

Ecuador

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Ecuador - has implemented of ISPM15 with effect from 1 July 2006. See details of Resolution

(in Spanish).
(Last Updated: 13/07/2006)

Egypt

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Egypt - implemented ISPM15 on 1 October 2005. To view WTO notification

.
(Last Updated: 06/09/2005)

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(Click here - Emergency measures to prevent the spread of Pine Wood Nematode from Portugal) (Click here to see the EU member States)

EU - From 1 March 2005 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 ISPM15 compliant as the certification is provided via the ISPM15 wood mark.

The new rules, which are set out in Council Directive 2004/102/EC, will be incorporated into our 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.

More detailed information regarding the new treatment options as provided in the ‘Wood Package’ summary note (issued December 2003) can be viewed by clicking here

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 any unmanufactured 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 ie until 1st March 2006 and WILL NOT therefore be enforced. Directive 2005/15/EC dated 28th February 2004 provides 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, FAO Rome

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

This information is correct at the time of publication and will be updated as required.
(Last Updated: 14/03/2007)

EU (Portugal)

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PORTUGAL LATEST INFORMATION (26th June 2009):
EU Standing Committee on Plant Health advise of a temporary derogation (1st January 2010) from the emergency measures (outlined below) against pine wood nemotode. Click here:

Emergency measures to prevent the spread of Pine Wood Nematode from Portugal

Controls apply to the export from Portugal of conifer wood products, including logs, sawn wood, chips, bark and wood packaging material such as boxes, crates pallets and the like which originated there. These are set out in Commission Decision 2006/133/EC and its various amendments (link http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:052:0034:0038:EN:PDF

). Wood Packaging Material (WPM) manufactured in Portugal from conifer wood has had to meet the requirements of ISPM 15, the international phytosanitary standard covering WPM which demands that it be treated (or fumigated with Methyl bromide) and stamped with the ISPM 15 mark which shows the country of production, a unique producer code and the code for the treatment used i.e. 'HT' or 'MB'.

Despite these measures, many Member States have reported detecting PWN in WPM arriving from Portugal, sometimes on unmarked WPM so it has not been possible to tell where it was made, and in order to avoid the possibility that untreated Portuguese WPM 'slips thorough the net' the rules have been further amended. From 16 June 2009 all WPM made from conifer wood exported from Portugal will need to meet ISPM 15 requirements. This includes WPM made from conifer wood imported into Portugal from the other Member States and then re-used for subsequent exports.

Although there is no legal obligation to use ISPM15 compliant WPM for goods shipped into Portugal from any other Member State, we strongly advise exporters in the UK to consider using treated and ISPM 15 marked WPM, regardless of wood type, wherever possible so as to ensure that there are no delays in delivering goods. This will be particularly important where the consignor expects to have the WPM returned, either empty or used to carry other goods. Many importers in Portugal are expected to demand the use of ISPM 15 WPM by their suppliers, so as to avoid the need to otherwise dispose of and replace WPM for subsequent use. The Portuguese authorities have confirmed that they do not have sufficient heat treatment capacity to deal with untreated imported WPM, and destruction appears to be the only alternative. Our advice covers all WPM regardless of wood type because of the difficulty in determining wood species, especially where more than one species is used in the manufacture of WPM. In cases of doubt, we can expect at least a delay in shipping while checks are carried out. This may well lead to increased costs.

Under the new procedures, all Member States will now be required to carry out routine checks on wood and wood packaging material imported into their country from Portugal. These checks can be carried out at any place where the material may be present and not necessarily confined to the point of entry (port or airport). The Forestry Commission plans to continue with spot checks on some goods as they arrive, where practicable, and will also be visiting importers to check on WPM used to ship goods from Portugal. We already carry out spot checks on wood shipped from Portugal. We do not, however, plan to place unnecessary burdens on business and will not, for example, be imposing inspection fees as we do for imports from non-EU countries. In the event that non-compliant wood or WPM is found, the occupier of the premises or the person in charge of the material will, however, be responsible for any remedial action deemed necessary. Those placing orders with Portuguese suppliers are strongly advised to make it a contractual requirement that only ISPM 15 compliant WPM is used and binding suppliers to meet any costs arising out of a failure to do so. The European Commission has also indicated that it plans to propose extending the use of ISPM15 to regulate WPM used in all intra-Community trade. This is subject to negotiations with the wood packaging industry which currently does not have sufficient treatment capacity across the EU to meet such a demand.

See also: Press Release issued 24 April 2009 by the EU Directorate General Communication (Click here

)
(Last Updated: 26/06/2009)

Guatemala

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Guatemala - implemented ISPM15 on 25 January 2005. To view WTO notification

. Note Details of the Guatemalan requirements will be provided as soon as they are published.
(Last Updated: 26/05/2005)

Guyana

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Guyana - The relevant authority has advised that it has implemented ISPM15. Unfortunately we are unable to publish any official document as the notification was made by email to the Forestry Commission.

Honduras

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Honduras - implemented ISPM15 on 25 February. To view WTO notification

.
(Last Updated: 03/02/2006)

Hong Kong

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Hong Kong - plant health authorities at http://www.afcd.gov.hk/quarantine/animals_e.htm

Phytosanitary Certificate not required
(Last Updated: //)

India

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India - implemented ISPM15 on 1st November 2004 and has published details of its landing requirements. Material with a plant origin used for packaging must either be heat treated or fumigated. Click here

to see details as published by Ministry of Agriculture in India. Click here

to see subsequent amendment. Click here

for Ministry of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Organisation of India.

India has published details of its implementation of ISPM15 and landing requirements for wood packaging material w.e.f. 1st November 2004 (see attached Web page)
(Last Updated: 31/05/2004)