WOOD PACKING RESTRICTIONS - ISPM15 RULES

Avoiding problems related to ISPM 15
(as a guide only)
New regulations have now been implemented with regards to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases throughout the world when shipping cargo using wood packing materials (including dunnage). These regulations have been originated from the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC - http://www.ippc.int/) and known worldwide as ISPM 15 rules. ISPM 15 rules international shipments containing wood packaging material such as pallets, crates, dunnages, drums, wood cases etc.
ISPM 15 requires that all shipments using any species of raw wood packaging must be fumigated or heat treated to kill insects or fungus and stamped with the approved stamp, before goods are allowed entry or crossing through a participating country.
Here are examples of a stamps used on pallets to indicate ISPM 15 compliance.

The stamps show customs that all solid wood packaging material has been treated to meet the ISPM 15 requirements. Non-compliance can be a serious problem. Customs can turn back, repackage or destroy items that do not meet the ISPM 15 standards. For example, the United States standard requires immediate re-export of non-compliant products with no exceptions. Delays and costs will be the responsibility of the shipper of record.
AVOIDING PROBLEMS RELATED TO ISPM 15
Important to understand that basically the ISPM 15 regulates shipments containing NON-MANUFACTURED WOOD PACKING MATERIALS (NWPM) – also called solid wood packing material or SWPM, and defined as "wood packing other than that comprised wholly of wood-based products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board, veneer, wood wool, etc., which has been created using glue, heat, and pressure or a combination thereof.”
THE EASIEST WAY TO AVOID POSSIBLE PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE ISPM 15 IS DO NOT USE NWPM. PACK YOUR CARGO WITH CARDBOARD, PLYWOOD, VENEER ETC ONLY or DO NOT USE WOOD IN YOUR PACKING AT ALL. USE PLASTIC SHIPPING SUPPLIES.
Here are some more details:
Shipping loose cardboards boxes complies with ISPM 15 regulations. You may order cardboards boxes via our website.
Use ONLY ISPM 15 certified and stamped wooden pallets and crates.

Wood packaging even wholly made of wood-based products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or veneer that have been created using glue, heat and pressure or a combination thereof should be considered sufficiently processed to have eliminated the risk associated with the raw wood. It is unlikely to be infested by raw wood pests during its use and therefore should not be regulated for these pests.
Using packing materials that do not contain wood makes your shipment an exemption from ISPM 15 regulations. Plastic pallets cases and crates of different sizes and forms are widely available on the market.
The ISPM 15 regulations break down into two key areas – export and treatment documents. Exactly how many documents are required varies from country to country.
If you self-pack a shipment using wood packing materials, you should find out the precise ISPM 15 requirements by contacting a related officials (customs for example) at your destination or the destination country local consulate.
If you hire a professional packing company or a carriers ship terminal palletizes your boxes, then parties that take care of your cargo should be aware of and comply with the ISPM 15 regulations.

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Frequently Asked Questions- ISPM 15 for Imports

Mandatory treatment for all solid timber packaging (excluding Air cargo, Break bulk and Unaccompanied Personal Effects timber packaging and dunnage)
Mandatory treatment for solid timber packaging and dunnage was introduced on 1 January 2006 to reduce the risk of pest or disease entry through this high risk commodity.

1. What is ISPM 15?2. Why was ISPM 15 developed?3. Who developed and endorsed ISPM 15?4. What countries have implemented ISPM 15 for their exports?5. What is timber packaging and dunnage?6. What wood packaging material does ISPM 15 apply to?7. Is the ISPM 15 import option mandatory for timber packaging entering Australia?8. Why does AQIS require imported timber packaging (including dunnage) to be free of bark?9. What does and ISPM 15 compliant stamp or mark look like? What do the symbols in the stamp mean?10. Where should ISPM 15 marks be located on timber packaging?11. Do the ISPM 15 approved measures of heat treatment and methyl bromide fumigation offer permanent protection to timber packaging against timber and non-timber pests?12. Do AQIS procedures addressing Giant African Snail (GAS) remain unchanged?13. Does the AQIS '21 day rule' apply to solid timber packaging marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps?14. Can I re-use solid timber packaging marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps?15. Does AQIS monitor imported timber packaging marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps?16. Can untreated timber, without ISPM marks or evidence of other treatment, be separated from the goods to facilitate clearance?17. What treatments does AQIS accept for solid timber packaging associated with containerised cargo?18. When can timber packaging associated with containerised cargo be granted quarantine clearance based on a packaging declaration?19. What treatment options are available for timber packaging and dunnage?20. Where can I obtain an example of an AQIS Packaging Declaration?21. Will Packaging Declarations be required for timber packaging and dunnage used in supporting air and break bulk cargo?22. How will AQIS know if timber packaging has been used? Airfreight consignments currently don't require documents to indicate what kind of packaging has been used.23. What will the importers or their agents be responsible for?24. Is there any barrier question, non-conformity or penalty system for brokers with regards to packaging declaration?25. Will wood packaging attached to break bulk timber bundles/ packs be required to be ISPM 15 compliant?26. Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPEs)27. Where can I find information relating to ISPM 15 for exports or Australian Wood Packaging Certification Scheme?

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The IPPC is an international treaty to secure action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their control. It is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) which adopts International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). The CPM has confirmed the IPP as the preferred forum for national IPPC reporting and the exchange of more general information among the phytosanitary community. The IPPC Secretariat coordinates the activities of the Convention and is provided by the FAO.

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