Export Pallet Regulations

Back in September of 2000 the phytosanitary regulations 

regarding the importation of solid wood packaging materials started going into effect around the globe. Most countries had regulations in effect by the end of 2005. Essentially wood pallets harbor bugs and no body wants another countries bugs. In order to control the illegal import/export of bugs in wood pallets, regulations were set up to assure that the pallet would be bug free. In order to be bug free wood pallets need to be heat treated and fumigated and certified to these two processes. So exporters are looking for viable alternatives. Plastic pallets are real common, they do not require certification or any special documentation for customs.

There are many goverment sites that go into excessive detail with pictures of the bugs and everything. Just do a search for wood packing material regulations and you will come up with a bunch.

The introduction of exotic pests is of significant concern not only to plant health officials but to those who could be impacted by these pests. We only have to look back at history to see the impact of introducing exotic pests or diseases into an environment where there are no natural enemies. For example, the introduction of chestnut blight into the United States, presumably from eastern Asia, all but wiped out the American chestnut tree in the early 1900s. Dutch elm disease, introduced in the 1920s, has raised questions about the continued existence of the American elm. More recently, an outbreak of the Asian long horned beetle led to the destruction of scores of hardwood trees in neighborhoods in New York and Chicago.

Countries with implementation changes since last update (October 23, 2006):

Taiwan : Will enforce ISPM 15 on July 2008.

United States

: Has incorporated the 24-hr methyl bromide fumigation schedule in their requirements for imported packaging effective February 7, 2008.

Proposed change between US and Canada (information relayed to NWPCA by the USDA APHIS Forestry Products Trade Director)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service APHIS) and Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have determined the ISPM 15 wood packaging exemption between the two countries has become disadvantageous to controlling the introduction and spread of invasive species.

The growing number of invasive species establishing in the two countries mandates the removal of the ISPM No. 15 exemption to further insure the safety of our groves, orchards, forests and nurseries. The USDA and CFIA are developing an action plan which involves a 2 year phase-in period. The three phases of implementation will take part in four steps:

1. One year for industry preparations to comply with the standard.

2. Phase 1: Six months of informed compliance. Notices will be posted in connection with cargo that contains noncompliant WPM.

3. Phase 2: Six months of rejection of violative noncompliant wood crates and wood pallets through reexportation.

Informed compliance and notices posted in cargo with other types of noncompliant WPM (dunnage, blocking and bracing).

4. Phase 3: Full Enforcement on all articles of regulated WPM entering United States of America and North America. Shipments containing noncompliant regulated WPM will not be allowed to enter United States of America.

Official start dates will be announced after further discussions with CFIA, Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency.

Summary information for countries that have begun implementation or announced plans to implement ISPM-15:

Argentina: June 1, 2006

Australia: September 1, 2004 (Variations to ISPM-15: Bark-free + packing declaration for ISPM-15 compliant WPM, 21-day rule does not apply); January 1, 2006 will add wood packaging used in break bulk and air cargo to their ISPM-15 enforcement.

Bulgaria: January 24, 2006

Bolivia: July 23, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM)

Brazil: June 1, 2005

Canada : September 16, 2005 (Exemption granted to : September 16, 2005 (Exemption granted to U.S.)

Chile: June 1, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM)

China: January 1, 2006

Colombia: September 16, 2005

Costa Rica: March 19, 2006

Dominican Republic: July 1, 2006

Ecuador: September 20, 2005

Egypt: October 1, 2005

European Union: March 1, 2005

Guatemala: September 16, 2005

Honduras: February 25, 2006

India: November 1, 2004 (Variation: Phytosanitary certificate required only for WPM not ISPM-15 compliant)

Indonesia: No published date of implementation (based on their draft regulation, WPM must be debarked and a packing declaration will be required)

Japan: April 1, 2007

Jordan: November 17, 2005

Lebanon: March 26, 2006

Mexico: September 16, 2005

New Zealand: April 16, 2003 (Variation: Bark-free WPM)

Nicaragua: No published date of implementation

Nigeria: September 30, 2004

Oman: December 2006

Panama: Not yet enforcing ISPM 15

Paraguay: June 28, 2005

Peru: March 1, 2005

Philippines: June 1, 2005

Seychelles: March 1, 2006

South Africa: January 1, 2005

South Korea: June 1, 2005

Switzerland: March 1, 2005

Syria: April 1, 2006

Taiwan: July 2008

Trinidad & Tobago: September 15, 2005

Turkey: January 1, 2006 (Variation: Debarked WPM)

Ukraine: October 1, 2005

U.S: September 16, 2005 (Exemption granted to Canada -- must provide import declaration that shipment derived from trees harvested in U.S. or Canada -- import lumber must be ISPM-15; 24-hr methyl bromide fumigation schedule in their requirements for imported packaging effective February 7, 2008)

Venezuela: June 1, 2005

Vietnam: June 5, 2005