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Courier News Features MMI

August 2005
Helping Companies Meet Their Match
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New Rules for Importers as of September 16

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has warned importers to prepare for the upcoming implementation of rules for the treatment and marking of wood-packaging used with inbound shipments.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulation, which takes effect Sept ember 16, will apply to pallets, crates, boxes, and dunnage used to support or brace cargo. The treatment rule was developed as an international standard to prevent the spread of non-native wood-eating pests.
In cases of non-compliance, CBP warned that wood packaging materials will be subject to immediate export along with the accompanying cargo.

"I am asking the trade community to provide its full attention to this issue to ensure your company's compliance with this rule," said Michael C. Mullen, director of CBP's Office of Trade Relations, in a statement. "Do not risk the exportation of your cargo because of noncompliant wood packaging materials."

The two approved treatments for wood packaging are:
1) Heat treatment to a minimum wood core temperature of 56 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes.
2) Fumigation with methyl bromide.

To certify treatment, the wood packaging material must be marked with the United Nations Food and Agriculture's International Plant Protection Convention logo. Paper certificates of treatment will no longer be required or accepted, CBP said.

Additional information about the rule is available on CBP's Web site: www.cbp.gov.

 

New Wooden Packing Requirements for European Shipping

On March 1st 2005 the European Union implemented the ISPM 15 standards for all wood packing materials. This means that all packing materials, which is essentially any wood used as packing of any kind, must have been either heat treated or fumigated and bear the proper marking as such on the wood packing. This effectively means that all shipments to the EU with export dates from the USA approx early to mid-February should use the properly treated and marked wood packing. In the event that any wood packing material does not carry the required marking, action may be taken at entry into EU in the form of added costs (treatment or disposal) or possible refused entry. If the wood packing does carry the required mark, and evidence of live pests is still found, action can be taken also in the form of added costs (treatment or disposal) or possible refused entry.

Please peruse the PDF summary notice, and ensure that your suppliers are using acceptable wood packing for your products when shipping to the EU in order avoid any possible delays, extra costs, or associated problems.

Although EU authorities may have some discretion during the initial implementation phase of these guidelines, it is best to be prepared and to ship under full compliance.

 

  Material Management International, Inc.