Issue 436, April 2, 2004
As previously communicated in Spotlight Issue Issue 426 and 429, The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a Proposed Rule for new requirements concerning the importation of wood packaging material. The comment period for the rule ended on July 21, 2003. APHIS is currently finalizing the Rule based on these comments. The original target dated was January 1, 2004 for publication of the Final Rule. However, APHIS is now reporting that that the publication date of the Final Rule will be no earlier than the middle of 2004. Upon publication, APHIS anticipates a delayed implementation period. The Final Rule will provide a firm date for implementation. This delay between publication and implementation will allow time for countries to establish programs so that they can be compliant with ISPM 15 and the Final Rule.

APHIS is encouraging all exporting countries to meet the conditions of ISPM 15 and the Proposed Rule, which require that all wood packaging material be appropriately treated and marked under an official program developed and overseen by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) in the country of export. APHIS will follow its current requirements for imported wood packaging material until the published implementation date.

According to the NWPCA, 120 countries have agreed to implement ISPM 15 for SWPM. China, Korea, and the European Union have notified the WTO that they intend to adopt measures in line with the ISPM 15. The European Union anticipates a starting date in July 2004. SWPM shipped to those countries will have to be treated and marked as such before they will be allowed into those countries. It is also important to note that only heat and methyl bromide are currently acceptable in all countries. In the future other methods may become acceptable in certain countries.

For the status of APHIS implementation by country, refer to the APHIS website http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/swp/.

Recent updates for SWMP status for exports to:

	Korea has notified APHIS that their rule for wood packaging will not enter into force until June 1, 2005 (shipping date).
	India will now accept wood packaging material that has been appropriately treated and marked under the provisions of ISPM15.
	China - As of September 24, 2003 the Solid Wood Packing Regulations for US SWPM to Peoples Republic of China have NOT changed. The China web page, http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/chinaswp/chinarule.html, will be updated with new information as official information is received.

Details pertaining to fumigation and marking requirements are available by contacting NWPCA (fumigation section) at (703) 519-6104 or by visiting their Web site http://www.nwpca.com/ExportTreatment/ExportTreatmentProg.htm. Exporters wanting information regarding heat treatment should contact ALSC, which can be reached at the web site is http://www.alsc.org/WPM_summary_mod.htm or contact NWPCA (fumigation) at (703) 519-6104.

Our contributing writer, Karl Krueger, is the Technical Advisor for DHL Danzas Air & Ocean in Port Huron, Michigan. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Mr. Krueger at Karl.Krueger@dhl.com or 810 987 0567.

Please note that due to the complex nature of the subject matter, DHL Danzas Air & Ocean cannot be responsible for actions taken by the reader in reliance on the information contained herein without prior consultation with DHL Danzas Air & Ocean.