CFIA Statistics on Wood Packaging Non-Compliance (Imports)

(CIFFA eBulletin)

The CFIA has provided the following statistical information on Wood Packaging Non-compliance for Imports, for the period January 1 to March 31, 2010.

The CFIA said twenty-four (24) countries received a notice of non-compliance for this period. A total of 1657 shipments with wood packaging material (WPM) were inspected during that period (data includes shipments inspected at the ports of Halifax, Montreal, Vancouver, Prince Rupert). Data collected by the CBSA during that period has been analyzed by the CFIA to determine that compliance is about 93.4% with regards to presence of a IPPC mark or a Phytosanitary Certificate and with no live pests or signs of living pests.

Approximately 2.2% (37/1657) of shipments were infested. Most of these infested shipments were from China. The remaining non-compliant shipments had no mark and no Phytosanitary Certificate and no live pests or signs of living pests. No fraudulent phytosanitary certificates were intercepted during this period. Pest identification has been included in the notices sent to exporting countries.

CIFFA would like to remind Members that Canada strictly regulates the entry of wood packaging from all countries of the world. The entry requirements for wood packaging from all areas except the continental United States are specified in policy D-98-08. You should also be aware that non-compliant wood packaging may be refused entry into Canada. Members can help prevent the introduction and spread within Canada of pests by staying vigilant and ensure that the overseas agents used are reputable. For more visit here.

Updated Information on Damages, Penalties for Wood Packaging Violations

(World Trade Interactive)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has recently posted to its Web site an updated list of answers to frequently asked questions concerning the regulations on how imported wood packaging material must be treated before it can enter the U.S. The updated information concerns the imposition of liquidated damages and penalties.

Under the WPM regulations, which have been in full force since July 5, 2006, all WPM entering or transiting through the U.S. must be properly marked to indicate that it has been either heat treated or treated with methyl bromide in accordance with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures: Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (ISPM 15). Such WPM must also be free of timber pests. […]

CBP now states that liquidated damages will be assessed when a party fails to comply with the terms of an emergency action notice, which will be issued when WPM entering the U.S. does not adhere to the required treatment. As a result, liquidated damages claims will not be assessed for the mere importation of violative WPM, but instead will be assessed for non-compliance with the EAN issued as a result of the importation of violative WPM. Read more here.

Revised Canadian Import Requirements for Wood Packaging Material from China: IPPC Mark Soon Mandatory

(CSCB)

In September 2008, the Canada’s Forestry Delegation met with China’s General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to discuss the repeated occurrence of counterfeited Chinese Phytosanitary Certificates for wood packaging materials destined to Canada.

In agreement with AQSIQ officials, Canada will discontinue recognition of Chinese Phytosanitary Certificates and will only accept the IPPC mark in verifying China’s compliance with Canada’s phytosanitary import requirements for wood packaging materials. Please note that these new requirements will be in place for shipments originating from the People’s Republic of China and will not affect shipments from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

For more information regarding the phase-in approach, please consult the Canada Border Services Agency’s Customs Notice. For more information on rules and regulations governing the import of wood packaging, please visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website or contact the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.

New Canadian Requirements for Wood Packaging Material from China

(CBSA)

Customs Notice CN09-002: New Canadian requirements for wood packaging material from China

1. The purpose of this customs notice is to inform importers about a change to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) wood packaging policy. Starting September 1, 2009, phytosanitary certificates from China for wood packaging material will no longer be accepted in Canada due to high rates of non-compliance from China. A valid International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) mark will be the only accepted treatment certification method.

2. Beginning June 1, 2009, importers will be granted a three-month grace period whereby wood packaging material accompanied by a Chinese phytosanitary certificate in lieu of an IPPC mark will be allowed to enter Canada, subject to a verification of the certificate’s authenticity by the CFIA and China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

3. The CFIA has advised China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the phased-in approach that will be used to implement this policy change:

a. Phase I: The CFIA is now notifying Canadian importers that as of September 1, 2009, a valid IPPC mark is the only accepted treatment certification method for wood packaging material from China.

b. Phase II: Starting June 1 and until September 1, 2009, phytosanitary certificates that are presented in lieu of valid IPPC marks will be verified.

c. Phase III: Starting September 1, 2009, the new policy change will be fully enforced. The Canada Border Services Agency will refuse the entry of any wood packaging material certified with a Chinese phytosanitary certificate in lieu of a valid IPPC mark.

4. For examples of valid IPPC marks, please consult the IPPC’s Web site at http://www.ippc.int.

U.S. Pallet Industry Urges Domestic Action Against Wood-Eating Pests

(American Shipper – Chris Gillis)

The U.S. wood pallet industry has an effective plan for its part to prevent the spread of invasive wood-eating pests throughout the nation’s forests, but is increasingly frustrated by what it says is a failure by the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to act upon it.

The Alexandria, Va.-based National Wooden Pallet and Container Association proposed that APHIS quickly adopt a national standard consistent with the international standard for treating wood packaging against pest infestations.

“You might well ask why an industry would advocate implementation of a new government regulation on their product,” said Bruce Scholnick, NWPCA president and chief executive officer, in a Sept. 5 letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Edward Schafer. “The threat of invasive species destroying our nation’s trees is a crisis of such magnitude it warrants immediate decisive action.

“Failure to act puts our forests in peril and threatens our industry, and in fact all wood-related industries, with extinction,” Scholnick warned. Read the complete article.

Canada/US Consider Trans-Border Pallet Rules

(By Rick LeBlanc — MaterialsHandling.net)

At the recent annual meeting of the Canadian pallet association, a Canadian government representative spoke on the anticipated removal of the ISPM-15 exemption for shipments of pallets and wood packaging between the United States and Canada. Under the original solid wood packaging laws, trans-border shipments had been exempt due to the contiguous nature of the forests. Concerned about the spread of pests, such as the emerald ash borer (EAB), the U.S. government has worked with Canadian officials to enact ISPM requirements for trans-border movements.

Jean-Luc Poupart, a Canadian government official, announced that a consultation document would be sent out to stakeholders in mid-June. It would include a proposed timeline for eliminating the exemption over the next few years.

According to Poupart, the proposal will likely involve Phase 1, a one-year adjustment period to begin Jan. 1, 2009. This would be followed by Phase 2, an informed compliance period, beginning Jan. 1, 2010. During Phase 2, violations would be reported to the violator, without penalties being imposed. Phase 3, commencing Jan. 1, 2011, would see full enforcement for all wood packaging, except dunnage. Dunnage would remain in an informed compliance position for an additional 8 months. Phase 4, effective Sept. 1, 2011, would see full enforcement of solid wood packaging and dunnage.

The U.S. Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service concluded that trans-border ISPM compliance is necessary to provide adequate protection from invasive species. U.S. officials and scientists are also considering a domestic requirement to harmonize regulations across state borders.

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) continues to support both a domestic and trans-border ISPM requirement to harmonize regulations, stop the spread of pests, and take away a major selling point of alternative materials. Many large players continue to support these measures, seeing them as inevitable. Some smaller pallet and lumber companies are concerned that they will not be able to afford the cost to comply. Read the complete article.