Northwest Horticultural Council

The United States and many other countries around the world have signed an international agreement on proper treatment and certification of Solid Wood Packing Material (SWPM) accompanying international shipments. The international standard, known as ISPM 15, has been codified by U.S. regulation and took effect on September 16, 2005 for products imported into the U.S.

The implementation dates for U.S. exports going to various foreign markets is very difficult to track, as each country is implementing on its own timetable. Further, some countries are requiring SWPM to exceed the ISPM 15 requirements. Country specific information is located at the bottom of this page.

Under the new international standard all wood packing material must be heat treated or fumigated in accordance with the standard. Once treated the materials must display a specified mark developed by the International Standards Committee, which has been trademarked for this purpose. This mark is proof that the materials have indeed been treated in accordance with the standard. No further certification is required to assure compliance.

The standard applies to all unprocessed wood or wood products (excluding paper products) used in supporting, protecting or carrying a commodity. This includes pallets, dunnage, crating, packing blocks, drums, cases, load boards, pallet collars, and skids. Please note that it applies to all wood packing material - not just softwood.

Argentina	Australia*	Bolivia	Brazil
Canada*	Chile*	China*	Colombia
Costa Rica	Dominican Republic	Ecuador	Egypt
European Union*	Guatemala	Honduras	India
Indonesia*	Israel	Jamaica	Japan
Jordan	Lebanon	Malaysia	Mexico
Morocco	New Zealand*	Norway	Oman
Panama	Paraguay	Peru	Philippines
Samoa	South Korea	Sri Lanka	Switzerland
Syria	Taiwan	Trinidad & Tobago	Turkey
Uruguay	USA	Venezuela	Vietnam

Australia	Australia also requires all shipments to include a packing declaration and its fumigation requirement is more stringent than ISPM 15
Canada	Shipments between the U.S. and Canada containing SWPM of either U.S. or Canadian origin are currently exempt from meeting the ISPM 15 standard. However, in February of 2011 Canada and the U.S. announced that the two countries are planning to remove that current exemption. A phased-in approach to implementation of the ISPM 15 standard is anticipated and will be announced once it has been agreed to.
Chile	All SWPM must be debarked.
China	In addition to ISPM 15, softwood SWPM from the U.S. and other countries with pinewood nematode must also be heat treated or fumigated for a minimum of 24 hours.
European Union	Effective July 1, 2009, the EU requires debarking of SWPM.
Indonesia	Effective September 1, 2009 Indonesia requires that all SWPM must meet ISPM 15 standards, must be bark-free and soil-free AND for all SWPM in containers, must be accompanied by a packing declaration and a valid copy of manufacturer's fumigation certificate.
New Zealand	SWPM must also be bark-free.