CBP to Increase Frequency of Penalties for Wood Packaging Material Violations

CBP is increasing enforcement of wood packaging material (WPM) treatment requirements, it said. Beginning Nov. 1, the agency will issue penalties to responsible parties for each documented wood packaging materials violation, CBP said on Sept. 25. “This is a change from the previous published threshold of 5 violations,” it said. “There will be no yearly reset for calculating repeat violations as each WPM violation may incur a penalty.”

The enhanced enforcement measures are meant to “motivate WPM compliance,” CBP said. Under requirements in effect since 2005, WPM imported into the U.S. must have been treated at approved facilities at their place of origin, and display a visible, permanent mark certifying treatment that has been approved under the International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 15) regulation.

Foreign-origin WPM lacking the appropriate markings or found to be infested with a timber pest is considered to be in violation of ISPM 15. “The responsible party (importer, carrier, or bonded custodian) for the violative WPM must adhere to the Emergency Action Notification stipulations and be responsible for any costs or charges associated with disposition,” CBP said. “As trade industry members, you are encouraged to consider alternatives to WPM if possible, and to educate your supply chains about ISPM 15 requirements,” it said.