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Wood-packing (ISPM15) and Fumigation (BMSB)
Announcement on shipping cargo from the USA to Australia and New Zealand!: Since 2019, any ocean freight to Oceania departing from the USA to the destinations in Oceania during the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season from the 1st of September until the 30th of April of each year cannot be loaded unless a completed Fumigation Declaration, provided to the shipper along with our shipping instructions, is submitted to the ocean freight carrier.
The Fumigation Declaration must be submitted before the cargo is delivered to the ocean freight carrier's terminal (CFS). The load will remain on hold if such a declaration is not received. Storage fees are on the shipper's account.
Otherwise, cargo should be fumigated at the carriers’ facility for the fee of $30-60 w/m with a minimum of $100-$300 per shipment, depending on the carrier. The cost will be included in the carrier's ocean freight and billed on our invoice. We never markup fumigation fees.
IF CARGO IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND DURING THE BMSB SEASON, BUT SHIPPERS DO NOT PROVIDE A VALID FUMIGATION CERTIFICATE OR DECLINE TO FUMIGATE THEIR CARGO BY THE OCEAN FREIGHT CARRIER, WE CAN NOT SERVE SUCH SHIPMENTS.
ISPM 15 rules in shipping cargo from the USA
Wood packing restrictions in international cargo transportation, or ISPM 15 rules, apply to all international freight containing wooden packaging materials. ISPM 15 rules regulate these wood packing restrictions. It relates to preventing the spread of plant pests and diseases worldwide when shipping cargo using raw wood packing materials.
These world shipping regulations were originated by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC - https://www.ippc.int/) in March 2002 to put an end to restrictions encountered worldwide caused by a jumble of ever-varying import restrictions on wood.
Regarding shipping from the USA freight LCL, ISPM 15 rules mainly apply to shipping boxes, crates, and pallets containing wood packaging material: wooden boxes, pallets, wooden crates, dunnages, drums, wood cases, etc. The most restricted countries are Australia and New Zealand.
U.S. shippers should be aware that ISPM15 requires that any cargo shipping from the U.S. overseas using any species of raw wood packaging be fumigated or heat treated. The treatment must be completed before the cargo departs from the USA. The fumigation should kill insects or fungus.
The United States of America has implemented ISPM 15 on all freight shipping from and to the USA since 2010. All cargo entered into the United States that does not comply with ISPM 15 will require immediate fumigation. Otherwise, it is prohibited from entering the U.S. and will be re-exported or destroyed.
While shipping cargo out of the U.S., any wood-packing treated according to ISPM 15 must be branded with the official IPPC mark. This mark cancels out the need for a phytosanitary certificate. If the wood does not comply with ISPM 15 standards upon arrival at a destination port, the cargo may be confiscated, sent back, or destroyed. Any of these costs will be charged to either the shipper or the consignee.
Below are samples of IPPS stamps on wooden pallets used in overseas international cargo transportation from the USA. The same stamps are required to ship from USA boxes and crates that contain wood packing materials unless a fumigation certificate is attached. Occasionally, destination officials may request fumigation certificates, regardless of whether the packaging is stamped.
The ISPM 15 stamp on shipping boxes, crates, and pallets made using raw wood proves that packaging has been heat-treated and complies with ISPM 15 regulations.
Avoiding problems related to ISPM 15 in shipping freight LCL
Think ahead. Avoid problems related to ISPM 15 regulations in shipping goods from the USA. The ISPM 15 restrictions on shipping cargo from the U.S. overseas should not scare you. Remember that the ISPM 15 rules regulate how you pack your shipping cargo, not the cargo itself. It prohibits using non-manufactured wood packing materials (also called solid wood packaging materials or SWPM). The commodity shipping from the USA overseas is not subject to ISPM 15.
Non-manufactured wood packing materials, in respect of shipping from the USA goods in boxes, crates, and on pallets, are defined as "wood packing other than comprised wholly of wood-based products such as plywood, particleboard, oriented strand board, veneer, wood wool, etc., which has been manufactured using glue, heat, and pressure or a combination thereof."
The easiest way to avoid problems related to ISPM 15 is not to use non-manufactured wood packing materials. Ship cargo from the USA on certified ISPM 15 or plastic pallets. Pack your goods with cardboard, plywood, veneer, etc. Otherwise, do not use wood in your packing at all. Use plastic shipping supplies.
When you pack your goods for transportation from the U.S. overseas, keep in mind the following:
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Cargo delivery from the U.S. in cardboard shipping boxes complies with ISPM 15 regulations. You can use regular cardboard moving boxes purchased at U-Haul, Walmart, Office Depot, etc. We recommend using heavy-duty cardboard shipping boxes. Then, you palletize your shipping boxes on certified or plastic pallets.
Keep in mind that if you deliver your loose cardboard boxes to an ocean freight carrier's terminal (CFS), then the CFS will properly palletize and shrink wrap your boxes to the shipping from the USA on certified ISPM 15 stamped pallets for a fee of $35-50 per pallet, including the cost of the pallet. Use the opportunity. Do not palletize shipping boxes on your own. Deliver light shipping boxes to CFS and leave the palletizing to professionals. Besides, loose shipping boxes are much easier to handle; most importantly, you will transfer responsibilities on ISPM 15 compliance to the CFS. Then your shipping boxes should not face any problems related to ISPM 15 during international transportation from the USA to the destination.
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If you decide to palletize your cardboard boxes on wooden pallets, use only ISPM 15 certified and stamped pallets. The same applies to ship crates from the USA. Never use not-certified raw wood packing materials in international cargo transportation.
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Wood packaging wholly made of processed wood-based products, such as plywood, particleboard, oriented strand board, or veneer created using glue, heat, pressure, or a combination thereof, should be considered sufficiently processed to eliminate the risk associated with the raw wood. It is unlikely to be infested by raw wood pests. Therefore, the ISPM 15 rules should not regulate and restrict it. However, if you ship from the U.S. complex crate, proof of compliance with ISPM 15 may still be required.
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Shipping goods from the USA packed in synthetic materials exempts such shipping from ISPM 15 regulations. If you ship goods stacked and stored on plastic pallets, in plastic cases or crates, then you should not worry about ISPM 15. Such pallets, cases, and crates of different sizes and forms designed for international cargo transportation from the U.S. overseas are widely available on the market.
Please keep in mind that the ISPM 15 regulations in international cargo transportation fall into two key areas:
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The shipping freight itself
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Providing proper documentation related to ISPM 15
In reality, different countries have different levels of restrictions related to ISPM 15. For example, if you are exporting goods from the U.S. to Australia or New Zealand, then be prepared that your cargo and ISPM 15-related documentation will be checked especially carefully. Cargo trans-shipped via Hong Kong or Singapore will likely be subject to ISPM 15 documentation verification. Types and forms of such documents may vary from country to country.
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If you are packing your goods for delivery from the U.S. abroad using wood packaging materials, look for ISPM 15 requirements in your destination country before packing. Contact related officials (customs or customs broker) in advance. You may discuss it with your destination country consulate in the U.S. Most of the time; a fumigation certificate should be sufficient. You may download the form of the Australian wood packing declaration for shipping cargo from the USA to Australia at this link.
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If you hire a professional packing company to prepare your goods for shipping from the USA abroad or use an international moving company, do not hesitate to ask if they know of wood packing restrictions in shipping cargo from the USA. Mention ISPM 15 regulations. Ask them in advance.
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Once again, if you deliver your loose shipping items to an ocean freight carrier's terminal (CFS), let the CFS properly palletize your goods for shipping overseas shipping from the USA.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) regulations for Oceania
Since 2019, any ocean freight to Oceania, departing from the USA to the destinations in Oceania during the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season from the 1st of September until the 30th of April of each year cannot be loaded unless a completed Fumigation Declaration, provided to the shipper along with our shipping instructions, is submitted to the ocean freight carrier.
Ocean freight carriers have implemented the following Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) fumigation requirements for shipping freight from the USA to Oceania:
The seasonal measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) regulations are outlined on the respective websites of Australia's Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) and New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). Due to the nature of the requirements, the cost for non-compliance and the expense for onshore treatment in Australia / New Zealand will be for the consignee's account and could be significant.
In short, the regulation requires that all shipments deemed high risk by DAWR and MPI standards be treated before loading from high-risk origin countries. The USA is on the list. With consolidated cargo, the rule states that if one shipment in the container is considered high risk, the entire container is regarded as high risk.
For this reason, ocean freight carriers will require that all shippers review the requirements to determine their shipment's risk and determine whether the cargo requires fumigation. Ocean freight carriers will require a signed declaration from the shipper before considering any shipment for loading.
Typically ocean freight carriers will be providing fumigation services for LCL at load ports and gateways, and the below measures will be in effect:
- A completed BMSB form will be required for all shipments.
- For LCL, shipments deemed as HIGH RISK by the DAWR or MPI will typically be subject to the fee of $30-60 w/m with a minimum of $100-$300 per shipment, depending on the carrier.
- Sulfuryl Fluoride will be the treatment used.
- If your shipment is deemed sensitive to the fumigant and CAN NOT be fumigated, ocean freight carriers may offer non-fumigated services based on availability.
…the fumigation certificate is incorrectly declared … Fumigation was completed over the weekend, and Quarantine released the container today. Cargo should be unpacked and available for collection in the next day or two … Please note that the freight will not be released until these charges are paid…
IF CARGO IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND DURING THE BMSB SEASON, BUT SHIPPERS DO NOT PROVIDE A VALID FUMIGATION CERTIFICATE OR DECLINE TO FUMIGATE THEIR CARGO BY THE OCEAN FREIGHT CARRIER, WE CANNOT SERVE SUCH SHIPMENTS.
