Customer Advisory: New Canadian requirements for wood packaging material from China

Please be advised the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced effective September 1st, 2009, that a valid International Plant Protection Convention (IPCC) mark will be the only accepted treatment certification method for wood packaging material from China entering into Canada. Phytosanitary certificates for wood packaging material from China in lieu of the IPCC wood packaging marking will no longer be accepted, and cargo with these certificates only will be refused entry by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) effective September 1, 2009. A phased-in approach for enforcement of the new IPCC requirement from China has been announced and outlined below by CBSA and CFIA:

"Phase I: The CFIA is now notifying Canadian importers that as of September 1, 2009, a valid IPPC mark is the only accepted treatment certification method for wood packaging material from China.

Phase II: Starting June 1 and until September 1, 2009, phytosanitary certificates that are presented in lieu of valid IPPC marks will be verified.

Phase III: Starting September 1, 2009, the new policy change will be fully enforced. The Canada Border Services Agency will refuse the entry of any wood packaging material certified with a Chinese phytosanitary certificate in lieu of a valid IPPC mark"

Please see CBSA's announcement for further information. http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn09-002-eng.html

Should you have any questions or require assistance with regards to this advisory or your shipment needs, contact OOCL Customer Service in USA or Canada at 1-888-388-6625.

Visit us and track and trace your cargo on www.oocl.com or www.cargosmart.com