Operating Procedures for Trade Community Regarding Implementation of the Wood Packaging Materials (WPM) Regulation

News Item Entered: Wednesday, September 14, 2005

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has revised its import regulation for wood packaging materials (WPM), 7 CFR § 319. The final rule was posted in the Federal Register September 16, 2004, with an effective date of September 16, 2005.

The regulation requires regulated WPM used in international trade to be treated to kill harmful insects that may be present. WPM must be marked with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo, the two-letter International Organization for Standardization (ISO) code for the country that treated the WPM, the treatment facility number assigned by the national plant protection organization, and either the abbreviation HT (heat treatment) or MB (methyl bromide). The rule states that regulated wood packaging materials must be marked in a visible location on each article, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article, with a legible and permanent mark that indicates that the article meets the new requirements.

To read more about these requirements, click here (110 KB PDF File)

UPDATE - September 14, 2005
US CUSTOMS ARTICLES

[US] Customs delays implementation of wood packaging rules

The following article is excerpted from the 14 September 2005 edition of “The Journal of Commerce”. Please note that the CSCB is following up with the CFIA regarding the status of the Canadian wood packaging rules.

[US] Customs said Wednesday it will delay enforcement of new standards for treating wood packaging to help minimize the importation of potentially destructive insects until Feb. 1, 2006.

The new requirements were supposed to go into effect Sept. 16.

Customs said it will instead implement a period of informed compliance from Sept. 16-Jan. 31 to notify shippers of cargo that does not comply with the new treatment requirements.

The agency said it will reject and re-export non-compliant shipments, beginning Feb. 1…. Full enforcement is slated to begin July 5, when non-compliant materials will not be allowed to enter the U.S.

[US] Customs has set up a temporary toll-free phone number to field questions about the new rules, at 866-738-8197. International shippers can call 301-734-5346.