Protecting our forests from harmful pests is a top priority for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine program. APHIS continues to combat the fraudulent marking of wood packaging material (WPM) as treated, as this deceptive practice puts our forests and global ecosystems at risk. It is crucial for shippers to ensure their wood packaging material is properly treated and marked to safeguard our forests for future generations and prevent monetary penalties for non-compliance.
The following are highlights from the APHIS updated guidance on best practices.
For Importers
- Consider alternative material that are not subject to APHIS regulations—such as plastic, particle board, or plywood, etc.
- Verify that your wood packaging material provider is International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM)15 compliant and accredited.
- Include ISPM 15 compliance in your contracts.
For Exporters
- Familiarize yourself with countries requiring ISPM 15—compliant wood packaging material.
- Purchase heat-treated or fumigated wood packaging material that bears the ISPM 15 mark.
- Use a registered ISPM 15 heat treatment or fumigation facility to treat and mark any unmarked wood packaging material.
APHIS—in collaboration with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—has acted by prosecuting 88 cases of ISPM 15 fraud in the past 11 years and has issued significant fines and restitution, as a result. CBP may issue a penalty, under 19 U.S.C. § 1595a(b), to an entity for a single violation of 7 C.F.R. 319.40-3. There are three categories of violations:
- Unmarked WPM
- Inappropriately marked WPM
- Infested WPM
Compliance with ISPM 15 guidelines remains crucial in preventing pests like the emerald ash borer and the Asian long horned beetle from entering the US. For assistance in making sure your shipments meet the wood packaging requirements, contact your Mohawk Global Trade Advisors.
By Clarissa Chiclana
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