Why Bug Free?

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Wood packaging material (WPM) moving in international trade is regulated by many countries - to prevent the spread of pests - in accordance with the specifications described in the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15 (2009) Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade.  Examples of items that require this special certification include wooden pallets, crates, dunnage, and any wood product used in the transportation of goods.

...Canada and the United States implemented import requirements for wood packaging material consistent with ISPM No. 15, but agreed to forego implementation of these requirements on Canadian or United States origin wood packaging material moving between Canada and United States. Since then, both countries have completed a review of the pest-risk associated with wood packaging material and have concluded that several pest risks and logistical issues can be addressed by requiring wood packaging moving between Canada and the United States be compliant with ISPM No.15 (2009). These include improved protection from the movement of pests present in one country; improved regulatory control of non-compliant wood packaging material which originated in a third country and improved ongoing usage of wood packaging material regardless of end destination. 

Recognizing that the regulation of wood packaging material moving between Canada and the United States brings with it added costs and time to utilize existing wood packaging material inventories, and to establish new wood packaging material production practices, Canadian and United States regulators have agreed to establish a harmonized implementation process to phase in the ISPM No. 15 requirements. 

...the United States published a proposed rule notifying their intention to regulate the import of wood packaging material from Canada in the same manner as wood packaging material entering from other countries. 

• D-98-08: Entry Requirements for Wood Packaging Materials Produced in All Areas Other Than the Continental United States will be revised to include wood packaging material from all United States.
• D-01-05: Canadian wood packaging certification program (CWPCP) for export will be revised to include exports of wood packaging material to the United States.

Discussions between the CFIA, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and border authorities in both countries, are currently underway, to establish fair harmonized approaches to wood packaging material inspection and enforcement. The CFIA will continue to provide notices regarding implementation through national industry associations, and publication on the CFIA website.

Should you have comments or questions regarding the implementation of ISPM No. 15 for goods moving between Canada and the United States, or wish to obtain information on becoming a certified producer of wood packaging for export, you may send a question or comment through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website.