Canadian exporters need to be prepared if they use any of the following
packaging materials to ship their goods south of the border:
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Pallets
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Box pallets
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Pallet collars of wood
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Crates
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Other load boards
Overseas wood packaging material shipped to North-America is already subject to the pest eradicating standard, but so far the US and Canada have mutually
agreed to an exception. It was believed that these invasive species had already crossed the land border naturally, or on any of the countless shipments sent before the new regulations were even considered. But the spread of damaging non-native insects has continued and authorities now conclude that untreated wood packaging is partially to blame.
HWP already offers heat treated
pallets that meet ISPM-15 standards that protect our forests by killing all insects and larvae. These certified pallets allow your goods to be shipped anywhere in the world. From our North-American perspective it often seems that invasive species are found coming only from Asia and other continents, but this is of course incorrect! The red turpentine beetle for example has made its way from here to other places around the world where it is not welcome. Therefore the European Union, as well as many other countries, now requires treated pallets.
Using heat treated pallets is more than just a matter of personal responsibility to Mother Nature. The cost of non-compliance can be very high. We know that any or all of the following can occur if the pallets your products were shipped on do not have the internationally recognized IPPC mark and are attempting to enter Canada from countries other than the US:
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Your shipments can and will be refused entry into the country
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Disposal or treatment fees must be paid by the importer
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Any costs associated with the inspection must be paid by the importer
Therefore we can assume similar implications when the US and Canadian agreement comes to an end.
Contact HWP for more information on how you can prepare.
