Changing Pallet Rules to Add Costs of Shipping to Canada
(The Packer – Tom Karst)
The U.S. and Canada are expected to change the requirements for wood pallets transporting goods between the two countries. Industry officials said the change will add costs for shippers and may stress supplies for shippers in both countries not already using heat-treated ISPM15 compliant pallets.
The proposed regulation on the requirements for wood packaging materials imported from Canada was published in December 2010, but the final rule has not yet been issued. The proposed rule eliminates an exemption allowing wood packaging material from Canada to enter the U.S. without first meeting the treatment and marking requirements required of wood packaging from all other countries. According to the proposal, removing the exemption is necessary to prevent invasive pests from entering the U.S.
“It was supposed to start last year, but the regulation did not get published and that’s why everything is on hold,” said Edgar Deomano, technical director for the National Wood Pallet and Container Association. Deomano said Canada is ready to enforce the regulation but is waiting for an agreement with the U.S. so the two countries can begin enforcement at the same time, he said. Read more here.
Date: January 20, 2012
