US, Canada to Require Treatment of US/Canada Origin WPM

TRADE ALERT<= /p>

US, Canada to Require Treatment of US/Canada Origin Wood Packaging Material

(September 1, 2009)

Due to the growing nu= mber of newly introduced invasive pests that present an environmental concern to th= e US and Canada, the two countries plan to implement International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) Number 15 for wood packaging materials circulating between the US and Canada.&nbs= p; The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) plan= to amend the current bilateral agreement concerning the shipment of wood packa= ging material comprised of US and Canada origin wood. Currently, wood packaging material arriving in the US or Canada from foreign countries must be heat-treated or fumigated and then marked to indicate that it has been treated. <= /span>Wood packaging material, of US or Canadian origin, moving between Canada and the= US was exempt from this requirement, but the latest change will terminate this exemption.

The two countries are planning to implement these changes using a phase-in approach over multiple years. While both countries a= re expected to have concurrent phase-in schedules, APHIS sources state the US is likely to use a three step process starting at the beginning of Canada’s Phase 2 outlined below. Canada&= #8217;s phased approach would include the following four phases:

Phase 1= : 12-month period allowing industry and stakehol= ders to adjust their operations to become compliant with ISPM No. 15.=

Phase 2= : Following the first 12 months, a subsequent 12= month period of informed compliance in which industry members would receive notic= es indicating compliance required in the future. Notices would be given to importers/brokers in regard to any cargo found containing non-complaint wood packaging material.

Phase 3= : An 8-month period of enforcement for non-compl= iant wood packaging material. Ship= ments would not be allowed to proceed into Canada= or the US. Importers/exporters shipping non-compliant material (dunnage, spools, blocking and bracing) would receive notices indicating required compliance.

Phase 4= : Full enforcement will be in effect for all wood packaging materials moving between the US and Canada. Shipments containing non-compliant materials will be refused entry.

For more information = on the phase-in schedule, please review CFIA’s informational notice.

About Deringer

A.N. Deringer, Inc. is a leading provider of international logistics services including Freight Forwarding, Warehousing & Distribution, Customs Brokerage, Logistics Consulting, Ca= rgo Insurance, Duty Drawback, and Meat Inspection. Deringer combines over 30 US offi= ces with a global agency network to facilitate the movement of cargo throughout the world.