Four-point refresher on wood product regulations

1. Three factors are considered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to determine whether a shipment containing wood products is admissible:
   • Is the wood material greater than, less than or equal to 1.5 cm thick?
   • Does the item contain bark?
   • Is the product made with “processed” or “unprocessed” wood?
2. Do not assume that “finished” wooden articles are the same as a processed wooden article.  Processed wood materials are defined as “products that are a composite of wood, constructed using some combination of glue, heat and pressure”.
3. Ensure invoices include complete information on any wooden commodity in the shipment.  CFIA will request any missing information, which could mean that customs clearance is delayed until the information is supplied, resulting in additional costs. 
4. Obtain all required Fumigation and/or Phytosanitary Certificates prior to export to avoid refusal of the shipment in Canada.

Refer to the CFIA’s Plant Protection Directive for information on what is permissible into Canada.

For more information, contact Brian Rowe, General Manager – Customs Consulting Services.