D-98-08 Entry requirements for wood packaging material into Canada

This communication serves to inform Members that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has published updates to the directive on wood packaging material (WPM): D-98-08 Entry requirements for wood packaging material into Canada, that was previously notified in G/SPS/N/CAN/1425This directive provides the requirements for the entry of all wood packaging materials (WPM) including dunnage, pallets, or crating made from wood entering Canada from all areas except the continental United States (US).Revisions to D-98-08 are intended to mirror recent ISPM 15 updates and more importantly to include the new shipborne dunnage program, which was notified to the SPS Committee in G/SPS/N/CAN/1359 and G/SPS/N/CAN/1359/Add.1.The shipborne dunnage program combines forest pest mitigation measures with a flexible and easy-to-apply approach that also promotes and encourages the use of ISPM 15 compliant material.On 6 January 2023 the CFIA has published the revised directive, including the new shipborne dunnage program.A transition period of six months will be applied until 6 July 2023, after which the new requirements will come into force.