The spread of insects through wood packaging materials has caused an international pest management issue. These wood pests have acted as catalysts for new regulations on the export of dunnage across the borders of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as 130 other countries in the world. On September 16, 2005 the United States, Mexico and Canada began a phase-in of new regulations for wood packaging materials used in shipments for international commerce. These regulations affect virtually all shipments between the two countries. U.S. exporters need to know how to comply with these regulations to avoid having shipments stopped at the border.

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The Trade Information Center (TIC) at the Department Of Commerce

Why do countries regulate wood packaging associated with importing goods into their markets? How have other countries regulated wood packaging? Check the TIC website to find answers to these questions.

The Gain Report Developed by the Foreign Agricultural Service

This is a summary based on a cursory review of the subject announcements. It gives a review of many important features of the new regulations, how it may affect trade, information on pallet treatment, and possible areas of concern.

American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC)

The Wood Packaging Material (WPM) program of the ALSC operates to monitor adherence to the requirements of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade. The ALSC WPM Policy and WPM Enforcement Regulations implement this program and their website contains information related to such details.

National (U.S.) Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA)

The NWPCA website contains a broad range of information on the regulations, lists of inspection agencies and fumigators in the U.S., and program overviews for both fumigation and heat treatment.