New import requirements for Australia

Important Notice to ALL Manufacturers/Producers of ISPM-15 Certified Wood Packaging in Canada

A few months back, we received notice from the Australian Government that Canada had been added to their list of countries targeted as risks in the spread of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB).  We have been in consultation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Canadian Forest Service, Canada Wood, the Canadian Lumber Standards and Accreditation Board and the Australian Government to identify all of the forest products covered under their regulations and how they are impacted.  

While many forest products will be subject to additional treatment measures, as far as we have been able to discern, wood packaging is classed under Australian “Non-Commodity Requirements”.  The Non-Commodity Requirements rules state that wood packaging is covered by ISPM-15, however there are some added stipulations that shippers need to be aware of.

The target period for the BMSB measures covers all shipments leaving Canada for Australia on or after September 1 2019, and extend through until May 1 2020.  During this time all shipments into Australia containing high risk goods must be subject to their approved treatment measures.

After consultation with the CFIA, we have agreed that Canadian producers of ISPM-15 Certified Wood Packaging Material (WPM) should, at a minimum, take the following measures in order to ensure an uninterrupted flow of goods.  This will apply to both those manufacturers selling WPM, and those manufacturing for their own in-house needs:

1. Determine which users of certified packaging (ie. your customers) are shipping goods to Australia
2. Provide these users with a generic declaration from the WPM manufacturer and advise them to include it in the form of a stand-alone shipping declaration, or to add it to bills of lading, invoicing or other shipping documents.  We suggest the following: “The Wood/Timber Packaging and/or Dunnage contained in this shipment was manufactured by a registered facility in the Canadian HT Program and has been treated, manufactured, and marked to the ISPM-15 standard.”
3. Inform your clients/shippers that they, or those responsible for loading the pallet, crate or other WPM with the consignment need to include the Packer/Supplier Combined FCL/LCL packing declaration document or the FCL/LCL annual packing declaration from Australia found at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/arrival/clearance-inspection/documentary-requirements/templates  Note:  Company letterhead must be used

Further, it is suggested that you should:

1. Ensure that WPM destined for Australia is of the highest standard, with clear and legible IPPC marks in appropriate and visible locations
2. Ensure lumber traceability standards are upheld for all newly manufactured WPM

DO NOT provide Domestic Heat Treatment certificates for these shipments. They are for use in CANADA ONLY and only between registered facilities.  If you face pressure from clients or freight forwarders to provide these certificates, please direct their attention to the CWPCA office.

Australia's Department of Agriculture will be holding workshops on this issue for Canadian exporters. For more information, click here.

We would request that any issues stemming from wood packaging entering Australia are brought to our attention.

For more information about the upcoming shipping requirements for Australia, please contact Scott Geffros at 613-290-2455 or scott.geffros@canadianpallets.com.