Canada Standards

Canadian-US Exemption Removal

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have determined the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15 wood packaging exemption between the two countries has become disadvantageous to controlling the introduction and spread of invasive species.  

The growing number of invasive species establishing in the two countries mandates the removal of the ISPM No. 15 exemption to further insure the safety of our groves, orchards, forests and nurseries.  The USDA and CFIA are developing an action plan which involves a 2 year phase-in period.  The three phases of implementation will take part in four steps:

1.        One year for industry preparations to comply with the standard.
2.        Phase 1: Six months of informed compliance. Notices will be posted in connection with cargo that contains noncompliant WPM.
3.        Phase 2: Six months of rejection of violative noncompliant wood crates and wood pallets through re-exportation. Informed compliance and notices posted in cargo with other types of noncompliant WPM (dunnage, blocking and bracing).
4.        Phase 3: Full Enforcement on all articles of regulated WPM entering United States of America and North America. Shipments containing noncompliant regulated WPM will not be allowed to enter United States of America.

An official start dates will be announced after further discussions with CFIA, Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency.