Full enforcement of wood packaging begins July 5, 2006
(Ottawa, June 29, 2006)… ISPM No.15 Wood Packaging Regulations will be fully enforced in North America, effective July 5, 2006. Under this regulation, all shipments entering Canada that contain non-compliant wood packaging materials will be refused entry and ordered returned to origin or destroyed. In some circumstances materials may be allowed treatment in Canada, at the discretion of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
The Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) has been advised that approximately 30% of shipments arriving from off-shore in 2006 were infested and/or contained un-marked wood packaging materials.
Ensure your suppliers are aware of the new regulations because non compliance will affect the importer by way of delayed freight and potential additional freight charges. For example, if wood packaging materials used in your cargo are non-compliant, the cost associated with the return or destruction of the cargo will be the responsibility "of the person or entity in care and control of the shipment at the time of entry to Canada".
For more information, please contact Brian Rowe, General Manager Customs Consulting Services or David Lychek, Manager Ocean Services (905) 882-4880.
