Reminder: Wood Dunnage to EC Must Now Meet ISPM 15 Standard
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the United Kingdom's Forestry Commission are reminding the trade that effective January 1, 2008, only dunnage (wood packaging material (WPM) used to wedge or support cargo) which meets the treatment and marking requirements of ISPM 151 will be allowed to enter the European Community.
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(Prior to January 1, 2008, the EC allowed, as a temporary alternative to ISPM 15, that dunnage meet the requirement of being bark-free and free from signs of live pests.)
The UK's Forestry Commission states that noncompliant dunnage will be subject to remedial action by plant inspectors which could involve destruction by burning or re-export.
Exception for Bearer, Sticker and Spacer Dunnage for Regulated Wood
The Forestry Commission notes dunnage such as bearers, stickers and spacers, which are integrated/banded into cargoes of regulated wood, does not need to be marked to ISPM 15 standards, as the phytosanitary certificate will cover the whole consignment and will certify that the dunnage, as well as the regulated wood, meets the landing requirements.
Bearers and stickers etc. made from non-manufactured wood products and greater than 6 mm thickness which are integrated/banded into cargoes of non-regulated wood (e.g. tropical hardwoods, plywood and other wood panel products), as well as all dunnage associated with any other type of cargo, must be ISPM 15 compliant and marked, regardless of whether they are a regulated species or not.
(According to APHIS and the UK, no phytosanitary certificate is needed for ISPM 15 compliant WPM.
APHIS defines WPM, which is also called Non-Manufactured Wood Packing (NMWP) or Solid Wood Packing Material (SWPM) as "hardwood and softwood packaging other than that comprised wholly of wood-based products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board, veneer, wood wool, etc., which has been created using glue, heat, and pressure or a combination thereof used in supporting, protecting or carrying a commodity (includes dunnage)."
Examples of WPM includes but not limited to pallets, skids, pallet collars, containers, cratings/crates, boxes, cases, bins, reels, drums, load boards, dunnage. Wood packaging made of exempt materials but combined with solid wood components must still be treated and marked.)
1International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/18/07 news, 07051820, for BP summary of earlier update on the EC's requirements for dunnage. See ITT's Online Archives or 02/02/06 news, 06020205, for BP summary of EC's postponement of a requirement for WPM to be debarked until January 1, 2009.)
UK Forestry Commission information on WPM import controls (dated 12/18/07) available at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6NJDRJ
APHIS' List of Countries Requiring ISPM 15 available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/wpm/country/index.shtml
APHIS FAQ on WPM available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/wpm/wpm_faqs.shtml
APHIS WPM Web page available athttp://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/wpm/index.shtml