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*	Jamaica	Japan	Jordan
Lebanon	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 from the U.S. comprised of U.S.-origin SWPM are exempt.
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 will also require debarking of SWPM.
Indonesia	Indonesia has issued a draft decree mandating that all SWPM must meet ISPM 15 requirements, must be bark-free and soil-free AND for all SWPM in containers, must be accompanied by a packing declaration. No enforcement date set.
New Zealand	SWPM must also be bark-free.
Taiwan	Taiwan has not yet implemented ISPM 15 standards. The projected date for implementation is on or after June of 2008.