On September 18, 1998, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published in the Federal Register an interim rule about solid wood packing material (SPWM) that is used with cargo or for use with cargo exported to the United States from China, including Hong Kong on or after December 17, 1998. The purpose of this new requirement is to control the risk that SPWM could introduce dangerous plant pests into the USA. The rule requires that all imports containing Chinese SWPM must be heat-treated, fumigated or treated with preservatives prior to departure.
These new requirements will apply to wood packing materials other than loose wood packing materials, used or for use with cargo to prevent damage, including but not limited to dunnage, crating, pallets, packing blocks, drums, cases and skids. U.S. government sources state that "loose wood packing materials" including sawdust, excelsior (wood wool), and wood shavings.
A certificate issued by the Chinese governement that states that the SWPM meets the criteria stated above must accompany each shipment with SWPM. Shipments that contain SWPM, but bear no certificate may be denied entry.
Shipments of goods using synthetic or highly processed wood materials used as packing materials, (including plywood, oriented strand board, corrugated paperboard, plastic and resin composites) are exempt from the SWPM requirement.
However, many importers overlook the interim rule's requirement that, from December 17, 1998, forward, all goods exported without SWPM from or through China (including Hong Kong) must be accompanied by a written declaration accompanying each commercial invoice. The declaration must state the nature of the shipment and explain that it contains no solid-wood packing material. The exporter statement must also be appended to each bill of lading.