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    Listed below you will find the most recent information regarding the implementation dates by country for the adoption of IPPC's ISPM 15 Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade. This information has been provided by the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association.    
       
    Australia    
    The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) has announced it's amended import requirements for solid wood packaging; those requirements took effect September 1, 2004.    
   

ISPM 15 compliant wood packaging is acceptable for shipment to Australia under the following conditions:

   
    v    Heat Treated at 56°C for at least 30 minutes OR Fumigated with methyl bromide and marked with the ISPM 15 stamp.    
    v    Bark-Free    
    v    Include a packing declaration (Note: declaration for ISPM 15 compliant solid wood packaging must be submitted per consignment, annual declarations are not acceptable)    
       
    The following are no longer needed for wood packaging to be compliant under ISPM 15 in Australia:    
    v    Treatment Certificate (provided that the packing declaration indicates ISPM 15 compliance)    
    v    Satisfy the 21-day requirement (no more time limit between treatment and packing)    
       
    If wood packaging is not marked as ISPM 15 compliant:    
    v    The 21-day rule for non-permanent treatment methods (e.g. heat sterilization, fumigation) does apply, and a treatment certificate AND packing declaration are required.    
       
    Chile    
    Chile's Agriculture and Livestock Service has notified WTO about their intention to adopt ISPM 15. Their proposed date of enforcement is June 1, 2005.    
       
    United States    
    A newly released regulation that will take effect starting September 27, 2004 only covers pine and fir logs, lumber and non-manufactured wood articles from Mexican states adjacent to the U.S. (i.e. Baja California Norte, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora and Tamaulipas). Treatment will be mandatory for logs, lumber and cross-ties. Regarding solid wood packaging, for now they have to be bark-free and free from live pests. These requirements are expected to be amended when APHIS releases its rule for solid wood packaging based on ISPM 15. Note that starting January 2004, importers from all countries except China, Hong Kong and Canada have been encouraged to use ISPM 15 compliant wood packaging in anticipation of the future implementation of ISPM 15.    
       
    Brazil    
    Brazil is not yet requiring ISPM 15 compliant WPM originating from the United States. Their import requirement based on ISPM 15 only applies to countries that have notified WTO and the Brazilian government of their adoption of ISPM 15.    
       
    Colombia    
    Colombia will require ISPM 15 compliant WPM starting December 31, 2004 (Not June 2004 as previously thought).    
       
    Canada    
    The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has set April 1, 2005, as its target date for strict enforement of ISPM 15. Non-compliant wood packaging will be rejected and the cost involved is the responsibility of the shipper. All countries must comply and only the U.S. has been granted an exemption.    
       
    China    
    The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIS) has not decided when it will implement their new regulation for imported solid wood packaging. In discussions with APHIS, they indicated there would be an advance notice for implementation and a phase-in period. For now, heat treatment with certification through APHIS is the only recognized method for softwood; hardwood is exempt but still requires certification (we recommend use of the NC-US voluntary mark).    
       
   
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    Ockerlund Industries, Inc.-1555 Wrightwood Court -Addison, Illinois 60101 -    
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