Updated Import Requirements for Wood Packaging Material into Canada

Trade Update • January 11, 2023

ood packaging material (WPM) import requirements are strict guidelines put in place to protect Canadian ecosystems from non-native pests found in WPM. Invasive pests can result in economic losses — stemming from eradication and control costs in the millions of dollars, loss of export markets, and loss of Canadian industry and tourism jobs and dollars — as well as irreversible damage or loss of forests and forest ecosystems.

The Canadian government have recently updated the requirements for the entry into Canada of all wood packaging material (WPM) including dunnage, pallets, or crates from all areas except the continental United States (U.S.), effective July 6, 2023.

Update

The recent update/revision includes specific import requirements for dunnage entering Canada via marine vessels. Entry of non-compliant dunnage and the presence of live pests in wood packaging material and shipborne dunnage increases risk to Canada’s forest and plant resource base. A shipborne dunnage management program has been developed to address this significant risk and is described in this revision.

This directive has been revised to reflect the amendments made to the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15 regarding approved treatments associated with wood packaging material, as well as the mark and its application (see Appendix 1). The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and its Commission on Phytosanitary Measures have adopted these revisions to provide further guidance to National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPO). These changes were adopted in 2018.

Full Guidance on Entry Requirements for Wood Packaging Material into Canada can be found here.

Questions about if your imports will be affected and/or how to ensure compliance with Canada Customs on these changes? Please contact us, we’re here to help.