Are you ready for ISPM-15?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
has revised its import regulation for wood packaging
materials (WPM), 7 CFR § 319. The final rule was
posted in the Federal Register September 16, 2004,
with an effective date of September 16, 2005.
The U.S. Border Patrol, USDA and their counterparts in Canada
and Mexico have agreed to a phase-in schedule for
the WPM rule. The phase-in periods are as follows:
From September 16-January 31, there will be a
period of informed compliance. No noncompliant shipments
will be required to be exported.
From February 1-July 4, the WPM requirement will be in place for
pallets and crates.
From July 5th forward, WPM
requirements will be enforced for all WPM, including
dunnage.
What if my shipment is not compliant?
If pallets are not marked with the approved treatment mark, they are considered to be untreated
and non-compliant. The regulation allows for immediate
re-export of non-compliant WPM.
It does not allow
for fumigation.
It does not allow for any alternative
disposal methods.
Other countries may have other
options, but the U.S. regulation allows only for
export of the non-compliant WPM. Exportation of
non-compliant WPM will be the responsibility of
the importer of the merchandise.
The Good news
TELLAP bags and sleeves are not made of wood. The
result is that ISPM-15 does not apply to any shipment
using solely TELLAP! You eliminate the cost of either
heat treating or fumigating your pallets as well
as the risk of having your shipment rejected!
For more information regarding ISPM-15 visit www.cbp.gov
or contact us
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