UTi would like to keep you informed of the new, upcoming regulation for wood packaging materials (WPM) imported into the United States, which will be effective September 16, 2005. The rule requires WPM, such as pallets, crates, boxes, and dunnage used to support or brace cargo, to be either heat treated or fumigated against plant pests and marked with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo certifying that treatment.

The approved treatments for WPM are 1) heat treatment to a minimum wood core temperature of 56°C for a minimum of 30 minutes or 2) fumigation with methyl bromide. To certify treatment, the WPM must be marked with the following IPPC logo. Paper certificates of treatment will no longer be required or accepted.

If WPM is unmarked, it is considered to be untreated and noncompliant. The regulation requires immediate exportation of noncompliant WPM. It does not allow for fumigation or for any alternative disposal methods. Exportation of non-compliant WPM will be the responsibility of the importer or importers of the merchandise.

In cases of noncompliance, the WPM will be subject to immediate export along with the accompanying cargo. If it is feasible to separate merchandise from noncompliant WPM, all expenses associated with that separation are the responsibility of the importer or importers of the merchandise. Separation of noncompliant WPM from compliant WPM or associated merchandise is not an absolute right; it is an option left to the government's discretion.

The regulation outlines specific exemptions for some WPM. These exceptions to the rule are:

1. Manufactured wood materials such as fiber board, plywood, whisky and wine barrels, and veneer,
2. Pieces of wood that are less than 6 mm (0.24 in) in all dimensions,
3. Sawdust, wood wool, and wood shavings, produced as a result of sawing or shaving wood into small, slender, and curved pieces less than 6 mm in all dimensions,
4. WPM used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to package non-regulated articles, including commercial shipments pursuant to a DOD contract, and
5. Firewood, mesquite wood for cooking, and small, noncommercial packages of unmanufactured wood for personal cooking or personal medicinal purposes coming directly from Mexican border states.
6. WPM made entirely from Canadian origin wood is exempt from the treatment and marking requirements.

For additional details on any of the WPM regulations please contact your UTi representative.