Export Requirements for Solid Wood Packaging Materials (SWPM)

Malaysian exporters of goods accompanied by wood packaging and dunnage should be aware that their solid wood packing materials (SWPM) will most likely need to comply with ISPM 15 (the international standard for the trade in wood packaging material including dunnage) in 2004.

SWPM is defined as “wood packing materials other than loose wood packing materials, used or for use with cargo to prevent damage, including but not limited to dunnage, crating, pallets, packing blocks, drums, cases and skids.”

However, wood packing materials made of wood-based products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or veneer that have been created using glue, heat and pressure of a combination thereof are considered sufficiently processed to have eliminated the risk association with raw wood.

Material such as veneer peeler cores, sawdust, wood wool, and shavings, and raw wood cut into thin pieces are also not considered as pathways for introducing of quarantine pests and are not regulated unless technically justified.

Analysis of pest interceptions at ports showed an increase in pests associated with wood packaging material which pose serious threat to the agriculture an to natural, cultivated and urban forests in a country. Plant pests such as the pine shoot bettle and the Asian longhorned bettle have been linked to the importation of SWPM. Pest of these types is often concealed inside SWPM, in larval forms or dormant states that increase their survival potential.

To obtain a permit to enter countries which have implemented the ruling, the SWPM must have been:

Heat treated to achieve a minimum wood core temperature of 56ºC for a minimum of 30 minutes. Such treatment may employ kiln-drying, chemical pressure impregnation, or other treatments that achieve this specification through the use of steam, hot water, or dry heat; or
Fumigated with methyl bromide in an enclosed area for at least 16 hours of the stipulated dosage, stated in terms of grammes of methyl bromide per m3.
Following fumigated, fumigated products must be aerated to reduce the concentration of fumigant below hazardous levels (normally 24 hours in Malaysia)

Information from a number of significant export markets for Malaysia goods accompanied by wood packaging material (including dunnage) suggests the following revised dates for their implementation of ISPM 15:

North America	Canada	Implementation on Jan. 2, 2004, with a 5-month phase in period allowing non-compliant wood packaging to be sent for treatment or disposal. Exporters of non-complying wood packaging material will also receive a written notice of non-compliance during the phase in period.
	USA	Indications are that full implementation may be delayed until April/May 2004, but the phase in period for implementation begins Jan. 2, 2004. Exporters of non-complying wood packaging material will receive a written notice of non-compliance during the phase in period. It is not as yet clear when the phase in period will end but exporters should expect to be fully compliance before May 1, 2004.
	Mexico	Implementation on Jan 2, 2004 with a phase in period (of unknown length) allowing non-compliant wood packaging to be sent for treatment or disposal. Exporters of non-complying wood packaging material will also receive a written notice of non-compliance during the phase in period.
Asia	China	Have indicated that they intend to implement ISPM 15 but no information available on likely date this will occur. The Chinese inspection and quarantine authority (State Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection – AQSIQ) will be holding a public seminar in Beijing on April 15 2004 to obtain feedback on the proposal regulations.
	India	Requires all wood packaging material to be heat treated at 56°C for 30 minutes (as per ISPM 15), or methyl bromide fumigated at ISPM 15 rates, or chemically impregnated with CCA or equivalent to international standards. Treatments must be endorsed on a phytosanitary certification. (Note: This is an additional step of the whole process. In Malaysia, the certificate is issued only by the Ministry of Agriculture.)
	Japan	Have indicated that they intend to implement ISPM 15 but no information available on the like date this will occur.
	South Korea	Implementation date currently set for June 1, 2004. Containers will be randomly selected for inspection to confirm wood packaging complies with ISPM 15. Failure to comply with ISPM 15 will result in the wood packaging material being directed for treatment.
	EU	Implementation date is now July 1, 2004 for wood packaging material excluding dunnage. Implementation for dunnage set at July 1, 2007.
	Australia	Australia is now accepting the ISPM 15 heat treatment (Core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes) as of Dec 1, 2003. Full implementation of ISPM 15 likely by July 1, 2004.
	Other countries/ Regions	To be posted as it becomes available.

Wood not complying with ISPM 15 (not appropriately marked or marked but found to be infected by pests) will be re-exported or, in some cases, treated/destroyed at the discretion of the importing country’s officials.

As of March 1, 2004, a total of 57 fumigators have been registered in Malaysia. The breakdown in each region is as follows:

Selangor (13)
Kuala Lumpur (6)
Johor (11)
Penang (11)
Pahang (4)
Negeri Sembilan (2)
Melaka (2)
Perak (5)
Sabah (2)
Sarawak (1)

The authority for ISPM 15 in Malaysia is the Department of Agriculture. For more information, please contact the following:

Crop Protection & Plant Quarantine Services Division
Department of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture
Jalan Gallagher
50632 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03 – 2697 3077
Fax: 03 – 2697 7164

Director: Mrs. Asna Booty Othman

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Export Requirements for Solid Wood Packaging Materials (SWPM)


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