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Non-Compliant Wood Packaging – International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15

The Government of Canada has announced increased enforcement of the import requirements on regulated wood packaging. According to these requirements, any regulated wood packaging found to be non-compliant with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulations may be ordered removed from Canada.

Canada has joined the United States and Mexico, the three members of the North American Plant Protection Organization, in the implementation of the regulation on wood packaging to ensure compliance with International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No.15, which regulates import requirements on wood packaging. This increased enforcement covers solid wood used in packaging, supporting, protecting, bracing or carrying an imported commodity, including dunnage (it excludes manufactured wood and paper products).

The intent of these requirements is to reduce the risk of introducing harmful pests transported and spread via untreated wood packaging. The CBSA is working with its partners in the United States and Mexico to put in place measures to protect the North American perimeter from all risks associated with wood packaging.

CBSA Action

In support of these regulations, the CBSA will increase its enforcement of the CFIA's bio-protection requirements for all importations using regulated wood packaging.

Enforcement

Along with its partners in the United States and Mexico, Canada is moving forward with the implementation of new enforcement measures for the regulation of wood packaging. As a result, entry of non-compliant wood packaging, including dunnage, may be refused.

Infested Shipments

Shipments showing visible signs of infestation will be immediately safeguarded to mitigate the risk of pest escape and will be refused entry.

Returning infested shipments

What if the country of origin won't accept the returned non-compliant material?
The regulation does not state that non-compliant wood packaging must be returned to any particular country. It simply states that non-compliant wood packaging may not come into Canada. Non-compliant shipments must be secured at the port and removed from Canada as soon as possible. It will be the responsibility of the importer(s) or the person in care and control of the shipment to determine an alternate destination that will accept the untreated wood packaging.

Consolidated shipments/mixed loads/bulk cargo, etc.

All regulated wood packaging must be treated and marked; the regulation does not differentiate among types of loads or types of entry document. All regulated wood packaging is either compliant or non-compliant and will be handled accordingly.

Importer notification of infested shipments

The CBSA will continue to issue non-compliance notifications for shipments that do not meet the ISPM No. 15 regulations.

  • If the wood packaging is unmarked, it is non-compliant, and importers will receive a non-compliance notification letter. The shipment may also be refused entry into Canada.
  • If the wood packaging is infested, it will be refused entry.

Separating Untreated Wood Packaging From Mixed Loads

Will the CBSA separate the untreated wood packaging from mixed loads?

Shipments showing visible signs of pest infestation will be refused entry, whether they are mixed loads or not. The CBSA is under no obligation to separate non-compliant wood packaging from compliant wood packaging or associated merchandise. If the CBSA determines that separation of the non-compliant crates from the cargo is not feasible, then the entire shipment shall be refused entry.

All expenses related to the movement, inspection, separation, safeguarding, storage and ultimate disposition of non-compliant wood packaging will be the responsibility of the importer(s) or the person in care and control of the shipment.

Additional information:
Last updated: 2006-03-10 Top of page
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