Updated APHIS List of Various Countries' Implementation of ISPM 15 Treatment & Marking for Wood Packaging Material
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has updated certain of its posted information on various countries' implementation and enforcement of ISPM 15 treatment and marking requirements for wood packaging material (WPM).
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(International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15 entitled, "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade" 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.)
APHIS also announced that its enforcement of these WPM regulations would be implemented in three phases. Phase II was implemented on February 1, 2006 and Phase III is currently scheduled to begin on July 5, 2006.(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/10/06 news, 06011005, for most recent BP summary of U.S.' phased implementation of ISPM 15, including Phase II. See ITT's Online Archives or 03/31/06 news, 06033105, for BP summary of CBP's 9th Update of its FAQ on WPM treatment and marking.)
APHIS' Information on ISPM 15 Enforcement by the EU and Other Countries
APHIS' Web site currently lists 26 countries and the European Union (EU) as requiring ISPM 15 treatment and marking for WPM. Since BP's prior update, the following countries have been added to this list:
Jordan. APHIS states that Jordan has published requirements adopting ISPM 15 and that its regulations went into effect on November 17, 2005. (current as of 01/25/06)
Lebanon. According to APHIS, effective March 26, 2006, Lebanon was to begin requiring WPM to be either heat treated or fumigated and officially marked under the provisions of ISPM 15. (information on Lebanon is undated)
Vietnam. APHIS states that Vietnam has published requirements adopting ISPM 15. APHIS notes that Vietnam's regulations went into effect on June 5, 2005. (current as of 01/26/06)
APHIS' Web site still contains ISPM 15 information for the following countries and countries, whose requirements have not changed since BP's last update: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, EU, Guatemala, India, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, and Venezuela. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/19/06 news, 06011905, for earlier BP summary of the list of countries who have, or are planning to, implement and enforce ISPM 15.)
APHIS Will Not Issue Phytosanitary Certificates for Exported WPM
APHIS has previously noted 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' List of Countries Requiring ISPM 15 available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/wpm/export/requirements.html
APHIS FAQ on U.S. Heat Treatment and Fumigation Program for WPM available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/wpm/export/faq-wpm.html
APHIS' WPM Web page available athttp://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/hot_issues/wood_packing.shtml