Industry Alert:

US IMPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL - APHIS has published a Draft Rule for new requirements concerning the importation of wood packaging material. The comment period for the rule ended on July 21, 2003 (see below). APHIS is currently finalizing the Rule based on these comments. We were targeting January 1, 2004 for implementation, however, this target implementation date is now being adjusted to April or May of 2004. In anticipation of finalization of the Rule we are encouraging all importers to meet the conditions of ISPM 15 and the Draft 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. Even though we are not anticipating the finalization of the Rule until later in 2004, we will start issuing notices to the NPPOs for material not appropriately treated and marked starting in January of 2004. These notices will clearly state our intention of implementation later in the year and will serve as an information dissemination tool. No additional action will be taken on noncompliant material at this time. APHIS will follow it's current policy for wood packaging material until the new Rule goes into effect. (This Notice Posted: October 30, 2003)

CHINA - As of September 24, 2003 please be advised that Solid Wood Packing Regulations for US SWPM to Peoples Republic of China have NOT changed. There is no new requirement nor authorization at this time for the fumigation of either softwood or hardwood packing materials destined to China. For current certification information of solid wood packing materials destined to China either follow the link to China or visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/chinaswp/chinarule.html. The China web page will be updated with new information as official information is received.