Worldwide Customs & Regulatory Updates
New Canada Regulations for Wood Packaging Material from China
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is changing its wood packaging material policy on imports from China. From September 1, 2009, the CFIA will stop accepting phytosanitary certificates from China for wood packaging material. Instead, a valid International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) mark will be the only treatment certification method accepted by the CFIA.
This will be implemented via a three-phase approach:
Phase |
Time |
Contents |
| Phase I | Immediate |
CFIA will notify all Canadian importers of the IPPC mark requirement for all imports from China. |
Phase II |
June 1 to Sept 1 |
Phytosanitary certificates presented instead of valid IPPC marks will be accepted for entry to Canada, subject to verification of the certificate’s authenticity by the CFIA and China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine |
Phase III |
From Sept 1 |
The new policy will be fully enforced. The Canada Border Services Agency will only allow the entry of imports from China with a valid IPPC mark |
Relevant website links for your reference:
- Customs Notice CN09-002 (posted on March 4, 2009) is available on the CBSA Web site: http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn09-002-eng.html
- Examples of valid IPPC marks are available on the following website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-98-08e.shtml (Standard format for easy reference)