Food and Drug Administration

Import Program System Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mission is to enforce the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act and other laws which are designed to protect consumers' health, safety and pocketbook.  These laws apply equally to domestic and imported products.

With the exception of most meat and poultry, all food, drugs, biologics, cosmetics, medical devices, and electronic products that emit radiation, as defined in the FD&C and related Acts, are subject to examination by FDA when they are being imported or offered for import into the United States.  Most meat and poultry products are regulated by the US Department of Agriculture.

All imported products are required to meet the same standards as domestic goods.  Imported foods must be pure, wholesome, safe to eat, and produced under sanitary conditions; drugs and devices must be safe and effective; cosmetics must be safe and made from approved ingredients; radiation-emitting devices must meet established standards; and all products must contain informative and truthful labeling in English.

As defined in the FD&C Act, the term adulteration has to do with the content of a product (such as the addition of a substance which makes a product inferior, impure, not genuine, etc.) while misbranding includes statements on labels or labeling that are false or misleading.

FDA's Import Program/General Procedures

To ensure that FDA is notified of all regulated products imported into the United States, the importer, or his/her representative, must file an entry notice and an entry bond with the US Customs Service (Customs) pending a decision regarding the admissibility of the product.  FDA inspection and enforcement procedures for imports rely on coordination with Customs with whom FDA has an excellent working relationship.  For specific information on US Customs procedures, requirements, forms, etc., contact your local Customs office.

FDA is notified by Customs of the entry and makes a decision as to the article's admissibility.  If FDA does not wish to examine the entry, the product is allowed to proceed into United States commerce.

Generally, if FDA decides to examine an entry, an FDA representative will collect a sample from the shipment for laboratory evaluation.  If the analysis indicates the product is in compliance, the shipment may be released into United States commerce.  If there is a violation, the product will be refused admission.  The FD&C Act, Section 801, directs FDA to refuse admission of any article that appears to be in violation of the Act.

When a sample of an article offered for import has been requested by FDA, the owner or consignee shall hold the shipment and not distribute it until further notice is received regarding the results of the examination of the sample.  If it appears that the article is violative, FDA issues a Notice of Detention and Hearing to the owner or consignee of the article specifying a place and period of time whereby the individual may introduce testimony either verbally or in writing.

The importer is provided an opportunity to submit a petition to recondition the product to bring it into compliance.  The owner or consignee may submit an application to FDA to re-label or perform other actions to bring the article into compliance or render the article other than a food, drug, device, or cosmetic.  An application for authorization to re-label or perform other actions to bring the article into compliance shall contain a detailed proposal and specify the time and place where such operations will be carried out and the approximate time for completion as specified by regulation.  All petitions to recondition a product are subject to FDA review and approval.

If the product is refused, the importer is required to either re-export or destroy the article under US Customs or other approved supervision.  If the refused product is not destroyed or re-exported, Customs issues a notice for redelivery to the importer of record.  Failure to redeliver the refused product may result in Customs assessing liquidated damages against the importer's bond.

Detention Without Physical Examination

In some instances, a product may be detained as soon as it is offered for entry into the United States.  This procedure is the administrative act of detaining a product without physical examination and is based on past history and/or other information indicating the product may be violative.  A product may be subject to a detention without physical examination (DWPE) recommendation until the shipper or importer proves that the product meets FDA guidelines or standards.

Occasionally, FDA identifies products from an entire country or geographic region for DWPE when the violative conditions appear to be geographically widespread.  Detention recommendations of this breadth are rare and are initiated only after other avenues for resolving the problem have been exhausted (see FDA Regulatory Procedures Manual (RPM), Chapter 9-25-00, for details on Detention Without Physical Examination - formerly known as Automatic Detention).

Import Alerts

Import Alerts have been developed to communicate guidance to FDA field offices.  The purpose of an Import Alert is to identify and disseminate import information (problems, violative trends, etc.) to FDA personnel, thus providing for more uniform and effective import coverage.  Import Alerts identify problem commodities and/or shippers and provide guidance for import coverage.  They will identify products or shippers that have met the criteria for DWPE (see RPM, Chapter 9-25-00).  For additional information or questions regarding DWPE, import alerts or import bulletins policy, contact the Division of Import Operations and Policy (DIOP), HFC-170, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.

Computerization

To assure the expeditious handling of imported products, FDA has automated its import operations.  By combining FDA's Operational and Administrative System for Import Support (OASIS) and Customs Automated Commercial System (ACS), a FDA reviewer will be able to more efficiently evaluate and process each import entry.  The import filer transmits the required shipment-specific FDA data into the ACS.  Within several minutes, the filer receives notification that either their shipment has been released or FDA wishes to review it.  This system provides FDA with data files to develop profiles on specific products, shippers, and manufacturers.  Eventually, all filers processing entries through Customs ACS will provide FDA information electronically.

How to Access the FDA (including Registration of Facilitates and Prior Notice)

• Registration of Facilities - All owners, operators, or agents in charge of domestic or foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for human or animal consumption in the US are required to register their facility with the FDA.  Alcoholic (and non-alcoholic) beverages are considered "Food" according to FDA standards.  Registration can be done at NO CHARGE online at www.fda.gov (register a facility).  Registration of Food Facilities Imports from foreign facilities that are not registered will not be permitted into the United States.
• Prior Notice (PN) - FDA will require that Prior Notice (PN) must be provided for all shipments for use, storage or distribution in the United States.  For shipments arriving by vessel, Prior Notice is required no more than 5 days and no less than 8 hours before vessel arrival.  Prior Notice must be submitted electronically and can be done online via the FDA website at FDA Industry Systems at no charge.  Prior Notice can also be submitted through Customs Automated Broker Interface/Automated Commercial System (ABI/ACS).  Every PN will need a facility registration number or numbers if multiple parties are involved (see Registration of Facilities above).

The FDA has set up a help line which is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. US Eastern Time.  Contact information is as follows:

• Telephone:  800-216-7331 (USA only)
• Telephone:  301-575-0156 (USA and foreign access)
• Fax:  301-210-0247
• Email:  furls@fda.gov

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

June 21, 2011

We would like to inform you of a new e-mail update list that FDA has established for communicating the implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). FSMA was signed into law by President Obama on January 4th, 2011 and aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it. FSMA gives FDA a mandate to pursue a system that is based on science and addresses hazards from farm to table and putting greater emphasis on preventing food-borne illness. The reasoning is simple: The better the system handles producing, processing, transporting, and preparing foods, the safer our food supply will be. To learn more about the FSMA and how FDA is implementing the new law, please click here.

To get FSMA updates by e-mail, please go here to subscribe.

September 2005: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): Wood Packaging Regulations Update:

Operating Procedures for Trade Community Regarding Implementation of the Wood Packaging Materials (WPM) Regulation

Background:
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has revised its import regulation for wood packaging materials (WPM), 7 CFR § 319. The final rule was posted in the Federal Register September 16, 2004, with an effective date of September 16, 2005.

The regulation requires regulated WPM used in international trade to be treated to kill harmful insects that may be present. WPM must be marked with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo, the two-letter International Organization for Standardization (ISO) code for the country that treated the WPM, the treatment facility number assigned by the national plant protection organization, and either the abbreviation HT (heat treatment) or MB (methyl bromide). The rule states that regulated wood packaging materials must be marked in a visible location on each article, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article, with a legible and permanent mark that indicates that the article meets the new requirements. Paper treatment certificates will no longer be required or accepted. An example of an acceptable WPM mark is:

The regulation restricts the importation of many types of wood articles, including wooden packaging materials such as pallets, crates, boxes, and pieces of wood used to support or brace cargo. The regulations currently refer to these types of wood packaging materials as solid wood packing materials, defined as ''wood packing material other than loose wood packing material, used or for use with cargo to prevent damage, including, but not limited to, dunnage, crating, pallets, packing blocks, drums, cases, and skids.'' Effective September 16, 2005, the U.S. regulation allows non-compliant regulated WPM to be reexported. CBP recognizes that the usage of this term may be confusing. For purposes of CBP implementation of the USDA regulation, "reexport" will refer to the immediate export of violative WPM and, where the violative WPM cannot be separated from the accompanying merchandise, the immediate export of the violative WPM and any accompanying merchandise. By regulation, no treatment options for WPM being imported into the United States are available.

For the purposes of this rule, WPM imported as cargo, such as a container or truckload of new or unused pallets, will still be considered WPM and subject to the rule. Its status as merchandise is irrelevant.

Non-regulated and Exempt Wood and Wood Products:

Regulated WPM do not include any manufactured items, such as worked wood items, even if those items are used to contain other non-regulated merchandise. Examples of such non-regulated manufactured items might include such things as carved or formed wooden bottle stoppers, ammo crates, wooden boxes built to house fuel gauges or armaments, etc . Wine crates for any vintage year prior to 2006, are also non-regulated; wine crates for vintage year 2006 and beyond are regulated.

Regulated WPM do not include any manufactured wood, such as fiberboard, plywood, polywood, whisky and wine barrels, strand board, and veneers, nor do they include "loose wood packing materials" as defined in 7 CFR § 319.40-1. Examples of loose wood packing materials include excelsior (wood wool), sawdust, and wood shavings, produced as a result of sawing or shaving wood into small, slender, and curved pieces. Dunnage is not always loose wood packing materials; when it is not, it is regulated.

The regulation allows importation without marking of otherwise-regulated WPM used by the U.S. Department of Defense to package non-regulated articles, including commercial shipments pursuant to a DOD contract.

By reciprocal regulations, WPM made from Canadian origin wood or U.S. origin wood (or a combination of Canadian origin wood and U.S. origin wood) will be exempt from treatment and marking under this regulation when used in trade between these two countries. For purposes of enforcement of this exception, and absent acceptable proof to the contrary, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will consider the country of origin of merchandise coming from Canada to be the country of origin of the accompanying WPM.

The only remaining exemption for imports from Mexico permits importation of unmarked firewood, mesquite wood for cooking, and small, noncommercial packages of un-manufactured wood for personal cooking or personal medicinal purposes as long as these items arrive directly from Mexican Border States.

Phased Compliance:

CBP conducted a special operation during the month of July 2005 to determine the baseline level of WPM compliance. Based on examination results, CBP will perform phased-in compliance enforcement of the USDA WPM regulation.

Phase I , beginning September 16, 2005, will be an informed compliance period, with no stoppage or reexport of shipments for non-compliant WPM. During this phase, all visual exams of cargo performed by CBP Officers or Agriculture Specialists will include a WPM component. If WPM are present and are not marked as having been treated, the broker and the importer will be informed of the non-compliance and given further information. (See "Sample Notice of Violation", attached)

Phase II , beginning February 1, 2006, will continue informed compliance measures on all regulated WPM except pallets and crates. CBP will begin full enforcement of the ban on violative pallets and crates. Beginning with Phase II, reexport of all shipments containing violative pallets or crates will be ordered if the Port Director determines that it is not feasible to separate merchandise from the violative WPM. IT and T&E shipments found to contain violative WPM will not be permitted to transit. All expenses incurred for the services of CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists involved in the separation of cargo will be billed to the importer or other party of interest. WPM and associated merchandise will be exported at the expense of the importer or other party of interest.

Phase III , beginning July 5, 2006, will represent full enforcement of the WPM ban regulated by 7 CFR § 319. CBP will no longer conduct informed compliance at the shipment level. In Phase III, reexport of all shipments containing violative WPM will be ordered if the Port Director determines that it is not feasible to separate merchandise from the violative WPM. IT and T&E shipments found to contain violative WPM will not be permitted to transit. All expenses incurred for the services of CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists involved in the separation of cargo will be billed to the importer or other party of interest. WPM and associated merchandise will be exported at the expense of the importer of other party of interest.
 

Phase I
Informed Compliance
September 16, 2005 through January 31, 2006

Phase I of the WPM implementation will consist of an informed compliance initiative relative to CBP efforts to implement and enforce the WPM rule.

During Phase I, if CBP discovers WPM that are not properly marked (that is, lacking the proper IPPC logo) during the course of any visual examination of any cargo, a Notice of Violation will be posted in a prominent location on the goods. A copy will also be included in the entry packet where possible. The intent of these steps is to notify the broker and the recipient that a violation has occurred and that CBP has chosen to temporarily exercise its enforcement discretion. These discoveries are considered violations of the WPM rule.

The enforcement of WPM requirements is a separate process from the normal course of pest interdiction duties conducted by CBP Agriculture Specialists. In every case of the discovery of a pest infestation, the protocol associated with safeguarding or eradication of the pest threat will supersede WPM enforcement. Once a pest threat has been eliminated, the WPM enforcement will be applied.

National and port account managers will work with their accounts to answer questions and encourage compliance with the regulation.

Phase II
Wooden Pallets and Crates
February 1 through July 4, 2006

Phase II continues informed compliance efforts started in Phase I. However, enforcement of the rule will begin to impact cargo shipments that have non-compliant wooden pallets or crates

The term "pallets", when used in this document, will include single wooden pallets and all pallets that are part of a unitized packaging container, such as wooden pallets that comprise the base of a carton or crate (for example, in shipments of motorcycles, machinery parts, pipe fittings, etc.) Wooden crates or lift vans constructed solely of manufactured wood (for example, plywood) are not regulated by the WPM rule. However, if other lumber is used in these crates, those pieces are covered by the WPM rule. (See also "WPM--Specific Exemptions", attached)

During Phase II, if CBP discovers WPM (other than pallets or crates) that are not properly marked (that is, lacking the proper IPPC logo) during the course of any visual examination of any cargo, a Notice of Violation will be posted in a prominent location on the goods. A copy will also be included in the entry packet where possible. The intent of these steps is to notify the broker and the recipient that a violation has occurred and that CBP has chosen to temporarily exercise its enforcement discretion. These discoveries are considered violations of the WPM rule.

Shipments Containing Non-Compliant Wood Pallets or Crates

The shipment will be held and will not be released. IT and T&E shipments found to contain violative WPM will not be permitted to transit.

The Agriculture Specialist will complete a USDA Emergency Action (EAN) Notification (PPQ-523) on the violative materials.

The Agriculture Specialist will follow the general guidelines for completing actions under the EAN procedures.

The importer, or the importer's representative (if one is available), will be notified by CBP of the situation.

The importer or other party of interest may request separation of the imported merchandise from the violative WPM.

If the Port Director determines that separation of the non-compliant crates from the cargo is not feasible, or if separation is not requested, then the entire shipment (violative WPM, compliant WPM, and merchandise) shall be ordered exported from the U.S. in accordance with the rule.

The Port Director shall order the shipment to be exported from the U.S. at the importers' or party of interest's expense. It is irrelevant if the shipment contains a mixture of compliant and violative WPM.

The authority to order exportation of violative WPM is contained in the USDA regulations at 7 CFR § 319.40.

If the entire shipment is ordered exported, any original entry must be cancelled and an Immediate Exportation entry (entry type 63) must be executed and provided to the Port Director to document the export movement.

If movement outside of the original U.S. port becomes necessary to cause the ordered exportation, it will be on a restrictive Transportation and Exportation entry (entry type 62) in conjunction with an appropriately executed USDA Emergency Action Notification (EAN) (PPQ-523). The EAN will provide and document restrictions as to routing, diversion and authorized timeframe to complete the restricted transportation and exportation movement.

In the event that the identity of the importer is unknown or otherwise not available to CBP, the importing carrier may be held liable for expenses related to the costs of exportation of the non-compliant WPM and associated cargo.

In the event that the merchandise is abandoned, the shipment will go to General Order (G.O.) and be handled under established procedures. If G.O. merchandise is ultimately auctioned, all noncompliant WPM must be exported at the expense of the successful bidder.

If the Port Director determines that separation of the violative WPM from the cargo is feasible, then the cargo will be separated at the importer's expense at a time and place determined by the Port Director.

After separation, the Port Director will order violative WPM to be exported per 7 CFR § 319.40 at the importers' or party of interest's expense.

If only the violative WPM is to be exported, the importer or party of interest (working in conjunction with the exporting carrier) must supply evidence sufficient to Port Director's satisfaction that the non-compliant WPM will be removed from the U.S. This proof may include, but is not limited to, a bill of lading, statement on carrier letterhead, U.S. export or foreign entry documents, etc.

In the event that the identity of the importer is unknown or otherwise not available to CBP, the importing carrier may be held liable for expenses related to the costs of exportation of the non-compliant WPM.

Phase III
Full Enforcement
July 5, 2006, and beyond

All informed compliance efforts at the shipment level under the WPM rule are discontinued.

During Phase III, if CBP discovers any WPM that are not properly marked (that is, lacking the proper IPPC logo) during the course of any visual examination of any cargo, the shipment will be considered in violation of the WPM rule.

All other operational elements of Phase II remain in effect.

SAMPLE NOTICE OF VIOLATION

TO:                Importer
FROM:          U.S. Customs & Border Protection Port Director
SUBJECT:   Violative Wood Packaging Materials

USDA has revised its import regulation for wood packaging materials (WPM). Effective, September 16, 2005 , WPM coming into the U.S. must to be treated and marked. Paper certificates of treatment or fumigation are no longer acceptable. The approved treatments are either heat treatment to a minimum wood core temperature of 56º C for a minimum of 30 minutes or fumigation with methyl bromide (MB).

An acceptable mark is determined by the national plant protection agency of each country and must include the trademarked ISPM-15 stamp. Contact information for representatives of national plant protection organizations can be accessed at: https://www.ippc.int/en/countries/nppos/list-countries/.

CBP has tentatively determined that this shipment is not in compliance with the USDA requirement.

In cases of noncompliance, a CBP Officer or Agriculture Specialist at the port of first arrival may order the immediate export of regulated wood packaging materials (along with the accompanying cargo) at your expense. Please ensure your shipper's compliance, as this will affect whether you receive your goods in a timely manner.

For this shipment CBP is using its enforcement discretion and is not ordering this shipment to be exported. This discretionary enforcement period will cease on February 1, 2006. On or after February 1, 2006, non-compliant WPM detected by CBP Officers or Agriculture Specialists will be subject to immediate exportation AT YOUR EXPENSE.

Please ensure that your suppliers are aware of this requirement.

There are certain exceptions to the new requirements. More information is available from USDA at 1-866-738-8197 during the months of September and October or at www.cbp.gov.

Procedure for Separation of Non-Compliant WPM
 

The rule does not authorize domestic destruction of non-compliant WPM. The rule does not authorize fumigation in lieu of proper marking for WPM. Exportation of non-compliant WPM is the only recourse under the U.S. regulation.

Separation of non-compliant WPM from compliant WPM or associated merchandise is not an absolute right; it is an option left to the government's discretion. All expenses related to the movement, inspection, separation, safeguarding, storage, and ultimate disposition of non-compliant WPM are at the expense of the importer or party of interest.

When a shipment is held by CBP for non-compliance with the WPM rule, the importer, or their representative or other party of interest, may make a request to CBP for the ability to separate WPM from the imported commodities. The requesting party shall submit a completed CBP 3499 - Application and Approval to Manipulate, Examine, Sample or Transfer Merchandise, to the CBP Port Office within one business day after the hold has been placed. In the case of a consolidated shipment, any affected importer or party of interest may make application under the guidelines of this protocol. All appropriate forms and evidentiary materials required by this Appendix must be presented to the Port Director, and all expense will accrue to the applicant.

The importer, or their representative or other party of interest, must submit to the Port Director evidence of their commitment to export the non-compliant WPM that are separated from the merchandise referenced in the CBP 3499. This evidence must be presented at the time of submission of the CBP 3499 and may consist of various elements, but will usually include the participation of a carrier. This requirement is critical, as the Port Director must ensure that the non-compliant WPM are properly exported and the government does not incur any expense.

Other parties of interest may apply to CBP for the WPM separation process only if the importer has no U.S. presence. These other parties must clearly define for CBP their interest in the merchandise. Carriers may not apply for the WPM separation process solely based on recovering or repositioning their property (containers). All parties applying for WPM separation must provide for the continuity of the cargo and the prompt and proper exportation of the non-compliant WPM.

The Port Director will determine whether to approve the CBP 3499. Once the decision is made, the Port Director will notify the importer. The decision of the Port Director is final.

If the decision is made to approve the separation request, the Port Director will determine the time, place, and supervision requirements of the separation.

If the separation request is granted, the process should commence under CBP supervision as soon as practical.

CBP may assign an Agriculture Specialist or CBP Officer to supervise the separation because the non-compliant WPM may present a pest risk.

If WPM are to be exported due to non-compliance with the WPM rule, the WPM lose the entry status of an instrument of international traffic. An IE or T&E entry will be filed with CBP, and the WPM should be fully described with an additional caption that "The material is non-compliant with the ISPM-15 Standard."

Under normal circumstances, services performed under a CBP 3499 may only be performed at CBP Bonded Warehouses. For the purposes of this application, the services may be performed at any location that the Port Director deems appropriate for that purpose. This will usually be where CBP Officers or Agriculture Specialists perform examination work, such as a CES, carrier facility, or bonded warehouse.

After the cargo is successfully separated from the non-conforming WPM, the CBP Officer or Agriculture Specialist will be responsible for removing the hold and completing any entry-related processing that would normally occur to release the merchandise from CBP custody.

CBP will bill the importers or other party of interest for their services.

Considering the restrictions above, the importer (or their representative or other party of interest) must consider that in many cases it may be cost prohibitive or logistically impractical to do request WPM separation.

If the decision is made to disapprove the separation request, the importer must make arrangements with the importing carrier to export the entire shipment at the first available opportunity. If the importer fails to make those arrangements, CBP and/or USDA will make the arrangements for the importer, and the importer will be billed accordingly. Because CBP and USDA are not in the shipping business, USDA's subsequent billing to the importer for these logistics services may be exceptionally significant.

Shipments will not be authorized to move in bond to another port for separation consideration under the WPM program.

WPM--Specific Exemptions

The USDA import regulation for wood packaging materials (WPM), 7 CFR § 319, offers the following definition of regulated wood packaging materials: wood or wood products (excluding paper products) used in supporting, protecting or carrying a commodity, including dunnage, other than:

• manufactured wood materials,

• loose wood packing materials (defined as excelsior [wood wool], sawdust, and wood shavings, produced as a result of sawing or shaving wood into small, slender, and curved pieces), and

• pieces of wood that are less than 6 mm thick in any dimension, that are used or for use with cargo to prevent damage, including, but not limited to, dunnage, crating, pallets, packing blocks, drums, cases, and skids, whether in actual use as packing for regulated or non-regulated articles or imported as cargo.

Regulated WPM may be imported into the United States under a general permit in accordance with the following conditions:

• The WPM must have been either heat treated to achieve a minimum wood core temperature of 56° C for a minimum of 30 minutes or fumigated with methyl bromide in an enclosed area for at least 16 hours at approved dosages and then aerated to reduce the concentration of fumigant below hazardous levels.

• The wood packaging materials must be marked in a visible location on each article, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article, with a legible and permanent mark that indicates that the article meets the treatment requirements.

There are specific exceptions for some WPM. These exceptions are:

• Manufactured wood materials such as fiber board, plywood, whisky and wine barrels, and veneer,

• Loose wood materials as defined above,

• Pieces of wood that are less than 6 mm (0.24 in) in any dimension,

• WPM used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to package non-regulated articles, including commercial shipments pursuant to a DOD contract, and

• Firewood, mesquite wood for cooking, and small, noncommercial packages of unmanufactured wood for personal cooking or personal medicinal purposes coming directly from Mexican border states.

By reciprocal regulations in Canada and the U.S, WPM made entirely from Canadian origin wood or U.S. origin wood are exempt from the treatment and marking requirements when accompanying shipments being shipped in either direction between these two countries.

USDA has grandfathered in all wine crates for vintage years preceding 2006. This means that wine crates for any wine with a vintage year through 2005 are exempt from treatment and marking requirements. Wines of vintage year 2006 and beyond will be required to be in crates that have been treated and marked.

Articles of wood that are manufactured to transport a specific non-regulated commodity (for example, fuel gauges, armaments, etc.) are not considered WPM and are not required to be treated and marked.

WPM that are part of any bundle of imported lumber are excepted from the rule. Other WPM used in the transport of bundled lumber (for example, pallets or planks) are not exempted and are regulated WPM.

Procedures for Processing Returning WPM

Since the regulation of WPM is an international standard with 138 signatory countries actively participating in its enforcement, it is likely that some shipments of U.S. exports will contain WPM that are not compliant with the standard that may be detected by our counterparts in other countries. They may determine the WPM to be inadmissible and order that non-compliant WPM be re-exported to the United States. Not all signatory countries are phasing in their WPM requirements.

Further information on the requirements of any country may be received from the appropriate official listed at https://www.ippc.int/en/countries/nppos/list-countries/.

If CBP Officers or Agriculture Specialists encounter a shipment of returned U.S. merchandise that contains non-compliant WPM, CBP will provide a sectional release for the merchandise and WPM upon reasonable submission of proof that the merchandise did not enter the commerce of any other country as provided for under 19 CFR 4.35(g).

Returns To or From Canada & Mexico

CBP continues to work very closely with counterparts in both Canada and Mexico to develop the most effective methodology for implementing this WPM initiative. Since we share common land borders and high traffic volume in both directions it was decided among the customs administrations that none of the three countries would implement their WPM action plan unilaterally. All three countries have agreed to implement their WPM initiatives modeled on U.S. CBP's phased implementation approach.

Because some exemptions exist for Canadian origin WPM that do not exist for Mexican origin material, we anticipate more instances of returned WPM on our southern border. At this time CBP is still in discussion with colleagues in both Canada and Mexico on the best way to implement returns of non-compliant WPM. Detailed instructions on this aspect of our WPM implementation will be issued during Phase I, for implementation in Phase II.

Click here for full report.

United States Deparment of Agriculture (USDA) Regulatory Alert - USDA/APHIS - July 2005.

APHIS has published the Final Rule for new requirements concerning the importation of wood packaging material. The implementation date for regulatory enforcement shall be September 16, 2005. The delay between publication and implementation shall allow an appropriate amount of time for countries to establish programs to become compliant with ISPM 15 and the Final Rule.

APHIS has set standards for Wood Packaging Material imported into the USA through 7 CFR 319.40 - Importation of Wood Packaging Material, as published on September 16, 2004. This rule states that all regulated wood packaging material shall be appropriately treated and marked under an official program developed and overseen by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) in the country of export.

Until September 16, 2005, as the designated enforcement date, APHIS will follow its current requirements for imported wood packaging material. Please note that PPQ is in the process of updating all references to SOLID WOOD PACKAGING to reflect the September 16, 2004 rule for REGULATED WOOD PACKING MATERIAL.

ENFORCEMENT REMINDER - FDA Bio Terrorism Rule - Prior Notification -  May 10, 2004. 

This Client Advisory is a reminder to food importers that the FDA will begin enforcing its Prior Notification Rule on May 13, 2004 and sums up the status of FDA enforcement quite well.

WSSA handles ocean shipping services for wholesale quantities for
Importers, Distributors and Suppliers in the beverage industry.