(Toronto, September 16, 2005)… Effective today, September 16th, all shipments entering the USA from Canada containing unmarked wood packaging materials must contain a declaration on customs documentation or importer's letterhead stating that "Wood packaging in this shipment is derived from trees harvested in the U.S. or Canada".
There are no requirements for treatments, marking or declaration for shipments imported into Canada from the USA.
The current policy that the wood packaging must be free of living pests/diseases or signs thereof is still in effect for both countries. Canadian origin wood packaging is also exempt from treatment and marking requirements when moving to non-continental territories of the U.S., but the same declaration requirement applies.
If shipments from Canada do not contain the appropriate wood packaging declaration, U.S. Customs will assume that the packaging is of the same origin as the goods contained thereon and may refuse entry.
For more information, please call (905) 882-4880, Brian Rowe, General Manager – Customs Consulting Services.
