Treatment Certificate Required by CBP for Commercial Shipments of Canadian Firewood into the U.S. Effective December 15, 2008, Etc.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a news release and fact sheet regarding the requirements for shipments of firewood of all hardwood (non-coniferous) species1 from Canada imported into the U.S.
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Hardwood Firewood Must be Heat-Treated and Have Proof of Treatment
CBP notes that it continually inspects loads of firewood coming from Canada into the U.S. to prevent the entry of unwanted guests. However, due to the increase in pest interceptions, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a federal order in October 2008 to safeguard and ensure that hardwood firewood entering the U.S. from Canada has been heat treated at 71.1 Celsius (minimal core temperature) for 75 minutes in accordance with 7 CFR 319.40-7(c).
CBP states it is enforcing this order effective December 15, 2008 by requiring that commercial shipments of hardwood firewood from Canada be accompanied by a treatment certificate certifying that the wood was heat treated to a core temperature of 71.1 Celsius for 75 minutes.
Effective January 1, 2009, non-commercial or personal shipments of hardwood firewood must be accompanied by either a treatment certificate or an attached commercial treatment label certifying that the wood was heat treated to a core temperature of 71.1 Celsius for 75 minutes.
(In November 2008, CBP issued a notice announcing that it would be enforcing APHIS' federal order effective immediately. However, CBP sources state CBP felt as if the public was not given enough notification and therefore delayed enforcement of the order to the dates noted above.)
Softwood Firewood Requires Certification, But Not Treatment
CBP adds that softwood firewood, such as pine, may enter the U.S. without treatment, but it must be free of pests. It must also have written certification, a requirement which varies according to the type of wood and origin. If inspection at the border reveals plant pests, or if certification is lacking, travelers may have to take the firewood back to Canada.
1Hardwoods generally include: oak, beech, ash, maple, cherry, etc.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/19/08 news, 08111920, for BP summary of APHIS' federal order.)
CBP news release (dated 12/16/08) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12162008_9.xml
Fact sheet (posted 12/17/08) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/agriculture/canada_imp_wood.ctt/canada_imp_wood.pdf