To standardize the quarantine and supervision of wood packaging for imported goods, prevent the introduction of forest pests carried in such wood packaging, protect China’s forest resources and ecological environment, and facilitate the smooth flow of cross-border trade, the General Administration of Customs has revised the Administrative Measures on Quarantine and Supervision for Importation of Wood Packaging Materials (hereinafter referred to as the “Measures”) in accordance with the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementing regulations. Let’s take a closer look at the key provisions of the revised Measures.
I. Definition of Wood Packaging
Wood packaging, as defined in the Measures, includes wooden materials such as wooden boxes, crates, pallets, frames, barrels (with oak barrels for alcoholic beverages excluded), spools, wedges, dunnage, sleepers, and lining wood, used for containing, packaging, bracing, supporting, or securing cargo. Exemption applies to wood packaging materials that have undergone sufficient processing such as being artificially synthesized, heated, pressurized, or otherwise deeply processed, including plywood, particle board, and fiberboard, as well as veneer peeler cores, sawdust, wood wool, wood shavings, and any wood material with a thickness of 6 mm or less.
II. Key Requirements for Wood Packaging in Imports
Where imported goods involve the use of wood packaging, such packaging must undergo phytosanitary treatment under the supervision of the phytosanitary authority in exporting country or region, in line with the standards as stipulated in the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), bearing an official IPPC label. Both the phytosanitary treatment methods and the official label must conform to applicable regulations. In addition, the owner or their agent shall declare such packaging to Customs for quarantine inspection.
III. Focuses of Pest Inspection on Wood Packaging of Imported Goods
During on-site quarantine and inspections, the focus should be on wood packaging that shows evidence of wood-boring insects such as longhorn beetles, termites, powder post beetles, wood wasps, jewel beetles, and weevils, as well as any indications of infestation. Wood packaging displaying signs of pest activity must be dissected for in-depth examination. Where symptoms of diseases such as Pine wood nematode are suspected, samples shall be collected and forwarded to a laboratory for diagnostic testing.
IV. Requirements for Wood Packaging: Direct Shipments from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region (hereinafter referred to as "Hong Kong and Macao"), and Taiwan, China; In-Transit Shipments via Hong Kong and Macao.
Goods originating from Hong Kong and Macao, or Taiwan, China that are accompanied by wood packaging are subject to the same requirements stipulated in the Measures.
For goods transshipped via Hong Kong and Macao using wood packaging that has not undergone IPPC-compliant phytosanitary treatment or borne any official IPPC label under the supervision of the phytosanitary authority in the exporting country or region - or where such phytosanitary treatment or official IPPC label is non-compliant - the owner or their agent may request an inspection body in Hong Kong and Macao recognized by the General Administration of Customs to perform the necessary phytosanitary treatment, apply relative IPPC label, and issue corresponding certification. Upon entry, the competent Customs authority will conduct spot checks or quarantine in accordance with the Measures.
To expedite Customs clearance, where goods transshipped via Hong Kong and Macao that do not use wood packaging, relative owners or their agents may apply to an inspection body in Hong Kong and Macao recognized by the General Administration of Customs for a certificate confirming the non-use of wood packaging. Upon import, competent Customs authority will examine this certificate and generally waive wood packaging inspection, though random checks may be performed when deemed necessary.
V. Legal Liabilities and Penalties under the Measures
The following violations shall incur administrative penalties from Customs in accordance with the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementing regulations:
(I) Failure to declare to Customs as required;
(II) Submitted declaration information inconsistent with the actual conditions;
(III) Unloading goods with wood packaging from the means of transport, or dispatching them without Customs authorization;
(IV) Other violations of the said People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementing regulations.
In addition, any of the following acts may result in a fine of up to 30,000 yuan by Customs:
(1) Unauthorized removal or abandonment of wood packaging without Customs approval;
(2) Failure to carry out phytosanitary treatment or destruction of wood packaging as directed by Customs;
(3) Forgery, alteration, or unauthorized use of the official IPPC label.
(by an author from Jinan Customs)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.
