News from Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The CFIA has been made aware by the Canadian Industry that notices are circulating announcing that, starting immediately, all wood packaging materials exported from Canada to the USA now need to be heat treated or fumigated as per the ISPM 15 requirements. The notice states that this change is due to the recent Avian Influenza outbreak and that every truck entering the US will undergo inspections to ensure that the pallet standards are met.
The CFIA confirmed with the US authorities that this information is false. No changes have been made to the requirements.
In 2005, an exemption was established for the movement of wood packaging between the US and Canada (wood packaging materials do not need to be treated and stamped). To be exempt, the wood packaging must be accompanied by export/shipping documents clearly stating that any unmarked wood packaging in the shipment was:
- produced in either the US and/or Canada (as the case may be), and
- manufactured with wood originating from either Canada or the US
This exemption applies only to the Continental United States. Wood packaging imported from or exported to Hawaii and US territories is not included in the exemption and thus need to bear the ISPM 15 mark.
If you need further information, please contact your local CFIA office.
