ISPM 15 and fumigation: rules for shipping freight from the USA by sea.

WOOD PACKING RESTRICTIONS IN THE SEA FREIGHT - ISPM 15 RULES (as a guide only)

New regulations have now been implemented in the sea freight industry, with regards to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases throughout the world, when shipping cargo from or to the USA using wood packing materials (including dunnage). These regulations have been originated from the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC - www.ippc.int) and known worldwide as ISPM 15 rules. ISPM 15 rules apply on international shipments containing wood packaging material such as pallets, crates, dunnages, drums, wood cases etc.

Note: ISPM 15 rules apply on export and import from and to the USA on shipments made with either international transportation companies or international moving companies. Professional international moving companies must be aware of and comply with ISPM 15 rules. If you use an international moving company (but an international transportation company. I.e. a freight forwarder, NVOCC, VOCC) on your international shipment from the USA, always insure that your goods are properly packed by the international transportation company in respect of compliance with this ISPM 15 rules.

ISPM 15 requires that all international shipments using any species of raw wood packaging must be fumigated or heat treated to kill insects or fungus and stamped with the approved stamp, before goods are allowed entry or crossing through a participating country.

Here are examples of a stamps used on pallets to indicate ISPM 15 compliance.

The stamps show customs that all solid wood packaging material has been treated to meet the ISPM 15 requirements. Non-compliance can be a serious problem for your export or import. Customs can turn back, repackage or destroy items that do not meet the ISPM 15 standards. For example, the United States standard requires immediate re-export of non-compliant products with no exceptions. Delays and increased shipping costs will be the responsibility of the shipper.

AVOIDING PROBLEMS RELATED TO ISPM 15

Important to understand that basically the ISPM 15 regulates shipments containing NON-MANUFACTURED WOOD PACKING MATERIALS (NWPM) – also called solid wood packing material or SWPM, and defined as "wood packing other than that comprised wholly of wood-based products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board, veneer, wood wool, etc., which has been created using glue, heat, and pressure or a combination thereof.”

THE EASIEST WAY TO AVOID POSSIBLE PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE ISPM 15 IN SEA FREIGHT IS DO NOT USE NWPM. PACK YOUR CARGO WITH CARDBOARD, PLYWOOD, VENEER ETC ONLY or DO NOT USE WOOD IN YOUR PACKING AT ALL. USE PLASTIC SHIPPING SUPPLIES.

Here are some more details that may help you to prepare your international sea freight shipment from USA:

Shipping loose cardboards boxes complies with ISPM 15 regulations. You may order cardboards boxes via our website.

Use ONLY ISPM 15 certified and stamped wooden pallets and crates.

Wood packaging even wholly made of wood-based products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or veneer that have been created using glue, heat and pressure or a combination thereof should be considered sufficiently processed to have eliminated the risk associated with the raw wood. It is unlikely to be infested by raw wood pests during its use and therefore should not be regulated for these pests on your export or import shipment.

Using packing materials that do not contain wood makes your international sea freight shipment an exemption from ISPM 15 regulations. Plastic pallets cases and crates of different sizes and forms are widely available on the market.

The ISPM 15 regulations break down into two key areas – export and treatment documents. Exactly how many documents are required varies from country to country.

If you self-pack a shipment using wood packing materials (i.e. use a service from an international transportation company) then you should find out the precise ISPM 15 requirements by contacting a related officials (customs for example) at your destination or the destination country local consulate.

If you hire a professional packing company, an international moving company or carrier's ship terminal palletizes your boxes, then parties that take care of your cargo should be aware of and comply with the ISPM 15 regulations on your sea freight shipment.