Wood Packaging Material Requirements - Phase III
On July 5, 2006, Canada, the U.S, and Mexico began full enforcement of the Wood Packaging Material (WPM) regulation.
To avoid service delays and costs associated with re-exportation, exporters (shippers) must ensure that shipments containing regulated WPM comply with global standards for treatment and markings (i.e., ISPM 15 standard). More information on the ISPM standard is available at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the U.S. Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) Web site.
Please note that WPM made entirely from trees harvested in Canada and the U.S., exclusively for use within Canada and the U.S. are exempt from these requirements. Shipments that arrive in Canada from the U.S. with no special markings or documentation requirements will assume the origin of the goods they contain. For shipments coming into the U.S. from Canada, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will assume the origin of the WPM is the same as the origin of the goods they contain, unless there is information to the contrary.
A summary of the three-phase plan is outlined below:
Phase I
Sept. 16, 2005 to Jan. 31, 2006
Informed Compliance - notices posted on cargo with noncompliant WPM
Phase II
Feb. 1, 2006 to July 4, 2006
Re-exportation of all noncompliant wood packaging material
Phase III
July 5, 2006 onwards
Full enforcement of WPM final rules for all regulated material
For more information, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) or the U.S. Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) Web site.
The CFIA has published a notice clarifying which facilities are able to register under the Heat-Treated Wood Products Certification Program or the Canadian Wood Packaging Certification Program. To read the notice, visit the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers Web site.