Wood Packaging Materials and Customs Procedures for Exporting to the USA

In Addition to Wooden Pallets, Wood Packaging Materials Used in Container Shipments to the United States Must Be Fumigated

Wood Packaging Materials (WPM) used to secure loads in shipments of containers and pallets to the United States must be fumigated in compliance with the ISPM 15 standard.

WPM are pieces of wood used to support, reinforce, protect, or transport goods, including but not limited to crates, pallets, blocking material, boxes, drums, cases, and skids. There are significant pest risks associated with the use of wood packaging that threaten agriculture and natural biomes in the United States. Pests like the Asian Longhorn Beetle, Pine Shoot Beetle, and Emerald Ash Borer have entered the U.S. through shipments of pallets or containers and caused billions of dollars in damage to agricultural and timber industries, as well as billions of dollars spent by federal and local governments to control the spread of pests.

When U.S. customs discovers non-compliant wood packaging during the importation of pallets or containers, the customs office issues an emergency action notice, requiring the immediate re-export of the entire shipment containing the non-compliant WPM and imposing a fine equal to three times the value of the goods being imported. In addition to this substantial penalty, the importer is responsible for ALL expenses related to the movement, inspection, separation, safeguarding, storage, and final disposal of the non-compliant packaging materials and associated goods. Furthermore, customs may issue additional penalties against the importer if they fail to comply with an EAN.

We strongly recommend working with a shipping agent specializing in pallet or container shipments to the United States.