The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has amended the mandatory wood packaging re-export requirement with an option to ‘deconsolidate’ non-compliant wood subject to the ports discretion. Normally, an inbound container inspected by the CBSA at the First Port of Arrival (FPOA) where non-compliant wood packaging has been found is ordered for treatment and export – even when there is no evidence of wood-boring infestation/ bugs.
CFIA policy directive D-98-08: Entry Requirements for Wood Packaging Material into Canada was updated and amended to reflect options on non-compliant wood packaging.
The most important note in this latest updated version is to allow options for risk mitigation in the management of non-compliant wood packaging material at the port of entry.
Non Compliance
Any non-compliant wood packaging materials (excluding ship borne dunnage) entering Canada will be ordered removed from Canada. As of July 2015, CBSA could allow the following options:
- Deconsolidation of non-compliant wood packaging materials from compliant wood packaging materials in consolidated shipments could be allowed; and
- The separation of non-compliant wood packaging materials from associated cargo/goods and replaced with compliant wood packaging materials.
These options are subject to the port’s discretion to determine if it is operationally feasible to allow for any deconsolidation or manipulation of cargo/goods and if there is no evidence of live wood-boring pests. Additional enforcement measures may be applied to importers or those person or organization having custody of non-compliant wood packaging.
Permitting the entry of non-compliant wood packaging results in increased risks of pest establishment in Canada and increased uses of pesticide treatments including methyl bromide to remove associated pests. Canada is a signatory to the Montreal Protocol and is taking steps to reduce its overall use of methyl bromide. However, where wood packaging may pose an immediate risk for the entry of a pest, the CFIA or CBSA will order treatment of the non-compliant wood packaging, as prescribed in Appendix 1, prior to it being ordered removed from Canada.
All costs incurred in the disposition of non-compliant wood packaging are the responsibility of the person or organization having custody of the non-compliant wood packaging materials at the time of entry to Canada (including port or berthing facilities receiving untreated ship borne dunnage).
Wood packaging originating from the US remains exempt of import requirements as per current policy. Canada and the United States continue to discuss implementing the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15. The date for full implementation has not been confirmed. Once the date has been confirmed by Canada and the United States, industry will be informed and a phase-in period of 18 to 24 months will begin.