CFIA reconfirms mutual exemption between US and Canada for ISPM wood packaging regulations

News Item Entered: Friday, September 16, 2005

Quote from CFIA:
Because of the unique nature of our relationship with the U.S. in that we have an enormous amount of cross-border trade, there is a mutual exemption between the U.S. and Canada for wood packaging constructed from Canadian or U.S. origin wood that has not moved internationally. There are no requirements for treatments, marking or declaration in the case of shipments imported into Canada. The U.S., however, requires a statement either on the customs documentation or other shipping documents that 'Wood packaging in this shipment is derived from trees harvested in the U.S. or Canada'. The current policy that the wood packaging must be free of living pests/diseases or signs thereof is still in effect for both countries. Canadian origin wood packaging is also exempt from treatment and marking requirements when moving to non-continental territories of the U.S. The same declaration requirement applies.

For more information, please visit the CFIA wood packaging page (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/wdpkge.shtml) and speak with your local office of the CFIA (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/directory/offbure.shtml)

Update 21 September 2005

CFIA and Wood Packaging Material

We continue to wait for a definitive statement from the CFIA concerning their plans for harmonizing the Canadian approach to wood packaging with the US and Mexico; this will not be forthcoming until next week, as their new President has not yet approved the communication plan on this issue.

However, the CFIA Forestry Team say that the Canadian approach will harmonize with the US and Mexico, and while there will be some minor differences, the policy and timeframes will be the same as those in use in the US and Mexico.

Thus, enforcement of new standards for treating wood packaging will be delayed until 1 February 2006. A period of informed compliance will be instituted between 16 September 2005 and 31 January 2006 to notify shippers of cargo that doesn’t comply with new treatment requirements, based on a bill of lading date of 16 September. Non-compliant shipments will be rejected and re-exported, starting 1 February 2006, with full enforcement slated to begin on 5 July 2006, when non-compliant wood packaging materials will not be allowed to enter Canada.

Members will be able to get further information by calling 1-800-O-Canada as of 27 September, when specialists will be available to answer questions on wood packaging material. Of course, as soon as the CFIA’s official statement is available, it will be sent to you.