Do you currently export your products internationally?

Are the pallets and/or crates that you're shipping your export products with compliant with the destination countries' wood packaging materials regulations?

Are you sure?

Atlas offers heat treated hardwood pallets, heat treated softwood pallets and heat treated #1 and #2 recycled pallets, as well as heat treated crates, containers and bins to ensure that your wood packaging materials are export compliant for worldwide shipping and adhere to the ISPM 15 regulations, which are continually being adopted by countries all over the world (see below). Don't allow your exported products to be held up in customs simply because they were shipped on a non-heat treated pallet, contact Atlas today to learn how to become export compliant worldwide.

IF YOU'RE AN EXPORTER, and haven't done so already, BOOKMARK THIS PAGE NOW! Atlas will be sure to always keep this page up-to-date with the most current information regarding newly adopted ISPM 15 regulations and with a current list of countries that are implementing and enforcing ISPM 15.

ISPM 15 Solid Wood Packaging Update
(August 8, 2008)

EU to require "Debarked" Wood Packaging Starting July 2009

The EU will implement a "debarking" requirement on July 1, 2009. The EU will use the debark definition contained in an ISPM 15-proposed amendement that has yet to be finalized.

Debark: A number of small pieces of bark may remain after the removal of bark. They are allowed under the EU standard if:
- They are less than 3 centimeters in width (regardless of the length) or
- Greater than 3 centimeters in width, with the total surface area of an individual piece of bark less than 50 square centimeters.

Countries with implementation changes since last update:

Based on published regulations by the countries below, the following are now or soon will be enforcing ISPM 15:

Cuba: October 1, 2008

Croatia: January 1, 2007

Sri Lanka: March 1, 2004

Notice to Department of Defense (DoD) vendors
The Department of Defense has announced that its shipments both “inside and outside of the United States must meet ISPM 15.” These requirements will be reflected in Defense Logistic Agency solicitations issued as of August 1, 2006. DOD pallets must be heat treatment or kiln dried (DOD does not accept fumigation as a treatment method). For more information, see the American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated Web page at www.alsc.org.

Summary information for countries that have begun implementation or announced plans to implement ISPM-15:

Argentina: June 1, 2006

Australia: September 1, 2004 (Variations to ISPM-15: Bark-free + packing declaration for ISPM-15 compliant WPM, 21-day rule does not apply); January 1, 2006 will add wood packaging used in break bulk and air cargo to their ISPM-15 enforcement.

Bulgaria: January 24, 2006

Bolivia: July 23, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM)

Brazil: June 1, 2005

Canada: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation; exemption granted to U.S. until 2010)

Chile: June 1, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM)

China: January 1, 2006 (Variation: MB fumigation for softwood packaging
must use the 24-hour treatment schedule.)

Colombia: September 16, 2005

Costa Rica: March 19, 2006

Dominican Republic: July 1, 2006

Ecuador: September 20, 2005

Egypt: October 1, 2005

European Union: March 1, 2005

Guatemala: September 16, 2005

Honduras: February 25, 2006

India: November 1, 2004 (Variation: Phytosanitary certificate required only for WPM not ISPM-15 compliant)

Indonesia: No published date of implementation (based on their draft regulation, WPM must be debarked and a packing declaration will be required)

Japan: April 1, 2007

Jordan: November 17, 2005

Lebanon: March 26, 2006

Mexico: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004)

New Zealand: April 16, 2003 (Variation: Bark-free WPM)

Nicaragua: No published date of implementation

Nigeria: September 30, 2004

Oman: December 2006

Panama: Not yet enforcing ISPM 15

Paraguay: June 28, 2005

Peru: March 1, 2005

Philippines: June 1, 2005

Seychelles: March 1, 2006

South Africa: January 1, 2005 (Variation: 24-MB schedule for softwood packaging)

South Korea: June 1, 2005

Switzerland: March 1, 2005

Syria: April 1, 2006

Taiwan: July 1, 2008

Trinidad & Tobago: September 15, 2005

Turkey: January 1, 2006 (Variation: Debarked WPM)

Ukraine: October 1, 2005

U.S.: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation; exemption granted to Canada -- must provide import declaration that shipment derived from trees harvested in U.S. or Canada -- import lumber must be ISPM-15)

Venezuela: June 1, 2005

Vietnam: June 5, 2005

Canadian / U.S. Exemption for WPM
APHIS and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are working on a phase out of the exemption of the ISPM 15 exemption between the two countries. The tentative plan is to phase out the exemption over a 2 year period. The official announcement and start date has not been announced. PRL will distribute this information as soon as it is released.

ISPM-15 Requirements

Compliance with ISPM-15 for wood packaging materials allows for two treatment options:

Heat Treatment (HT): Wood packaging material should be heated in a schedule that achieves a minimum core temperature of 56ºC for a minimum of 30 minutes. The American Lumber Standards Committee administers the U.S. certification program for heat treatment.

Methyl Bromide (MB) Fumigation: The wood packaging material should be fumigated with methyl bromide. NWPCA has been tasked by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to administer the fumigation program.

NOTE: ISPM 15 requirements apply to all species of coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) packaging materials.

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