South Africa Wood Packaging Material Phytosanitary Requirements

Since January 1, 2005, the Republic of South Africa has been requiring wood packaging be treated and marked in compliance with ISPM 15.  The treatment may be fumigated (MB) or heat treated (HT) and must bear the IPPC stamp from a participating entity.

The Government of the Republic of South Africa is charging $225 per container to fumigate non-compliant containers upon arrival.

For a list of wood packaging material suppliers in your area and for county specific requirements for wood packaging materials, please visit the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service webpage at:  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/swp/export.html

On February 28, 2005 Agriculture Ministers of the 25 European Union Member States agreed to adjust the new EU import requirements for wood packaging material (WPM) coming into force on March 1, 2005.  The new requirements are based on the international standard agreed to within the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in March 2002 (ISPM 15) .  The EU had opted to go beyond the international standard calling for heat treatment or fumigation of wood, to also require the debarking of wood to be used in WPM.  Important EU trading partners including the United States have yet to be notified by the EU of the scientific justification behind the EU’s stated need for debarking of WPM.  If the debarking requirement of the WPM Directive were to have taken affect, it would have impacted up to $80 billion worth of trade carried on wood pallets or other wood packaging material.

EU Directive on WPM effective March 1, 2005: 
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_056/l_05620050302en00120013.pdf

Information on export requirements for WPM into the EU:  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/swp/eunmwp.html

For any other questions or concerns, please contact Ryan Hajen at (202) 720-1001.