Confusion still reigns over wood fumigation for Canada

WHILE FUMIGATION requirements for Canada are nothing new, there appears to be some confusion about the acceptable requirements, according to Roland Raath of Cargocare Freight Systems. “Fumigation of containers to Canada is not an acceptable wood packaging treatment process,” says Raath. All wood packing – unless it is a type of wood that does not require treatment as a result of its manufacturing process, like plywood or similar – must show the required ISPM 15 stamp. While fumigation is an acceptable treatment of wood packaging to enable it to bear the ISPM15 stamp or brand, it is not an acceptable treatment for wood packing without the stamp or brand. “In short, containers with wood packaging that does not indicate the required stamp or brand will be rejected by Canadian authorities even if the whole box has been fumigated,” says Raath. “And there’s another problem with fumigation,” he added. “Any Customs or CFIA inspections of fumigated containers require that the container will have to be set aside to “air out” prior to inspection resulting in added expense to consignees over and above the inspection expenses." The bottom line is that containers found not to comply with these requirements will be refused entry and returned to the point of origin. There are no exceptions and all costs incurred for inspection, reloading, and re-export of the container as a result of the use of improper packing and dunnage materials will be for the origin agent’s account. For full details access the website: www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/ protect/dir/d-98-08e.shtml