February 3 - With effect from February 1, Brazil is enforcing mandatory compliance of wood packing material based on the ISPM (International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures) 15 Standard, informs DSV.

The requirement comes from the Brazil Ministry of Agriculture through Normative Instruction No. 32, says DSV.

The new regulation is applicable to all cargo entering and exiting Brazil, including transhipments and FROB (freight remaining on board).

Regardless of whether the cargo contains wood packaging material, the shipping documentation should now include the following information, advises DSV: whether wood packaging material is included in the shipment; whether the material is treated and certified or not; whether the material is processed or not.

ISPM 15 requires that wood packaging material be either heat treated to a core of 56°C for a minimum of 30 minutes, or fumigated with methyl bromide before the approved certification mark is applied. The wood should be stamped with the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) or the certificate of origin for analysis of inspection.

If the wooden packaging is not in accordance with the new legislation the cargo will be sent back to origin or treated at a Customs warehouse.

If the shipping instructions do not include the aforementioned information the shipper will be held liable for any penalty for non-compliance of the regulation.

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