APHIS Lists Various Countries' Implementation of ISPM 15 Treatment & Marking for Wood Packaging Material

(The U.S. and other countries have committed to enforce the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15 entitled, "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade." ISPM 15 calls for affected WPM to be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and marked in a certain way certifying treatment.)

APHIS' ISPM 15 Enforcement for U.S.

In September 2004, APHIS issued a final rule to require all regulated WPM imported into the U.S. under general permit to be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide, in accordance with ISPM 15, effective September 16, 2005. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/23/04 news, 04092320, for Part III of BP's summary of this final rule, with links to earlier installments. See ITT's Online Archives or 09/12/05 news, 05091210, for BP summary of CBP's most recent update of its FAQ on the September 16, 2005 enforcement of these requirements.)

In addition, APHIS has recently announced that the U.S.' enforcement of its WPM regulations will occur in three phases. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/14/05 news, 05091405, for BP summary of these three phases and coordination between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.)

APHIS' Information on ISPM 15 Enforcement by the EU and Other Countries

According to APHIS, the following countries and the European Union (EU) have given notification of their implementation/enforcement plans with regard to WPM (in alphabetical order):

Argentina. APHIS states that Argentina has published requirements adopting ISPM 15 and these regulations were scheduled to go into effect on June 1, 2005. (updated 05/16/05)

Australia. APHIS has stated that Australia has given notice that effective September 1, 2004 it began accepting WPM and dunnage that was heat treated or fumigated and officially marked in compliance with ISPM 15. APHIS states that, with regard to Australia, WPM not in compliance with ISPM 15 will be subject to existing alternative requirements and approved treatments. See APHIS' Web page for more details. (posted 08/23/04)

Brazil. APHIS states that Brazil has published requirements adopting ISPM 15 which were scheduled to go into effect on June 1, 2005. (current as of 09/01/05)

Canada. Canada, in conjunction with the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its intent to adopt measures in line with ISPM 15, which are proposed to be implemented on September 16, 2005. APHIS notes that commodities destined to Canada from the U.S. are exempt from the requirement for treatment and official marking. (current as of 09/01/05)

Chile. Chile has notified the WTO of its intent to adopt measures in line with ISPM 15. At present, APHIS notes that Chile will require WPM to be debarked. Chile had proposed that these measures go into effect on June 1, 2005. (posted 09/08/04)

China. According to APHIS, China has notified the WTO that all raw wood softwood and hardwood WPM will be required to be treated and officially marked in line with ISPM 15 as of January 1, 2006. However, China will currently not accept coniferous WPM from the U.S. fumigated with methyl bromide under the currently approved schedule under ISPM 15. Effective immediately, China is providing treatment and official marking of WPM as an alternative option to their existing requirements. See APHIS' WPM Web page for more information on China's current requirements. (current as of 09/01/05)

Colombia. APHIS states that Colombia has notified the WTO of its intention to adopt measures in line with ISPM 15; however the enforcement date has been changed to September 15, 2005 (from January 1, 2005). (posted 01/11/05)

Costa Rica. Costa Rica has also notified the WTO of its intent to adopt measures in line with ISPM 15. While Costa Rica has indicated a date of January 1, 2005 as the date of adoption of this measure, APHIS states that it has been advised that the regulations will not be enforced until September 16, 2005. (posted 10/08/04)

EU. Effective March 1, 2005, the EU requires all newly assembled, repaired, or recycled unprocessed WPM (hardwood and softwood) entering the EU to be either heat treated or fumigated and officially marked under ISPM 15. In addition, all WPM is required to be debarked and marked "DB." However, due to continuing issues surrounding the EU debarking requirement, U.S. WPM will not contain the DB symbol. The EU has formally agreed to delay the implementation of the debarking and "DB" marking requirement for one year, until March 1, 2006.

See APHIS' WPM Web page for more information on the EU's implementation of these and other requirements. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/02/05 news, 05030210, for BP summary on the EU's implementation of ISPM 15.) (posted 03/02/05)

Guatemala. APHIS states that Guatemala has published requirements adopting ISPM 15 which are scheduled to go into effect September 16, 2005. (updated 05/16/05)

India. Effective November 1, 2004, India requires WPM to be either heat treated or fumigated and officially marked under the provisions of ISPM 15. (updated 06/03/04)

Korea. APHIS states that effective June 1, 2005, all WPM excluding paper products, will be required to be treated and marked under ISPM 15. See APHIS' WPM Web page for more information. APHIS adds that Korea will currently not accept coniferous WPM from the U.S. fumigated with methyl bromide under the currently approved schedule under ISPM 15. (posted 05/16/05)

Mexico. According to APHIS, Mexico, in conjunction with NAPPO, has notified the WTO of its intent to adopt measures in line with ISPM 15. The proposed implementation date is September 16, 2005. (current as of 09/01/05)

New Zealand. APHIS' WPM Web page contains a detailed summary of the WPM treatment, marking, and certification requirements applicable to New Zealand. (current as of 09/01/05)

Nigeria. APHIS explains that Nigeria has indicated its acceptance of official treatment and marking of WPM in line with ISPM 15. Nigeria is enforcing compliance as of September 30, 2004. (posted 10/08/04)

Philippines. APHIS states that effective June 1, 2005, all WPM entering the Philippines are required to be treated and marked under ISPM 15. (posted 10/25/04)

South Africa. South Africa has notified the WTO of its intent to adopt measures in line with ISPM 15, with a proposed implementation date of January 1, 2005.

Turkey. APHIS states that Turkey has notified the WTO of its intent to adopt measures in line with ISPM 15. APHIS notes that Turkey will require that wood packaging be debarked. It should be noted that Turkey has changed its date of enforcement to January 1, 2006 (from January 1, 2005). (posted 01/06/05)

Venezuela. APHIS notes that Venezuela has published requirements adopting ISPM 15, which were scheduled to go into effect on June 1, 2005. (updated 05/16/05)

APHIS Will Not Issue Phytosanitary Certificates for Exported WPM

APHIS notes that certain countries have indicated that a phytosanitary certificate will be accepted and/or required for WPM treated and marked under ISPM 15. However, it is against APHIS policy to issue a phytosanitary certificate for wood packaging used in the transport of commodities.

APHIS Information on Countries Requiring ISPM 15 available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/wpm/export/requirements.html