Keep Your Importers Aware of the CFIA Wood Packaging Guidelines

Any business which relies on imports must be aware that Canada has signed on and is committed to enforcing the measures proposed under the International Plant Protection Convention. These measures were first proposed in 2002 and in 2004 the Canadian government expressed a renewed commitment when it came to enforcing the rules. In this article, we will take a look at some of the specifics of these guidelines and what they mean to importers.

Who administers and oversees the guidelines?

The wood packaging guidelines fall under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, due to the fact that the wood concerned is a naturally occurring material. Fees, penalties, and appeals are all made and paid through this body.

Reasons for the guidelines

The main reason for the implementation of these guidelines was a growing concern in the international community over the prevalence of wood pests. The introduction of new species into any ecosystem can be hazardous, and both Canada and many of its trading partners have economies that include a lot of wood and wood production. Having a pest introduced into different countries through wood transport is a major threat, not only to the natural parts of many countries but also to their economic well being.

The guidelines specifically apply to wood dunnage, crates, pallets, bearers, and so on. These packaging materials fall under the guidelines if they are made of wood that has not been manufactured (plywood, cardboard, and fibre board are some examples of manufactured and exempt packaging materials).

Costs, penalties, and fines

All imports are inspected as they come into Canada by several departments, of which the Food Inspection Agency is one. In the event that an imported product does not meet the standards set out in the guidelines, it will be refused entry into the country.

Many times the measures do not stop at this inconvenient step. Inspection itself may cost the importer money, and non-compliance will result in much higher costs per hour incurred.

The fees and fines that may result in non-compliance are very good reasons to ensure that your importers are kept aware of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's guidelines on wood packaging. It may also be worthwhile both for you and your importers to find alternative ways of packaging materials as they are brought into the country, materials which are not susceptible to pest invasion.

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