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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
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Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : CR EIC 191/2/6

24 September 2009

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 481/2009

Canada : Revised Import Requirements for Wood Packaging Material from the Mainland of China

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) posted to its website a Customs Notice 09-002 to inform the trade about a change to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) wood packaging policy. Starting 1 September 2009, phytosanitary certificates from the Mainland of China for wood packaging material (WPM) would no longer be accepted in Canada due to high rates of non-compliance from the Mainland of China. A valid International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) mark would be the only accepted treatment certification method. Traders may refer to the attached Annex A (pdf format) or the CBSA's website at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn09-002-eng.pdf for details.

DETAILS

  1. The trade was informed via Commercial Information Circular No. 424/2005 that the CFIA announced its phased-in implementation plan for regulation of WPM entering Canada. Beginning 5 July 2006, all non-compliant WPM, including ship's dunnage, would be refused entry. The CFIA now changes its wood packaging policy.
     
  2. According to the CFIA's Forestry Phytosanitary Issues - Update Number 17, the Canada's Forestry Delegation met with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of Mainland China in September 2008 to discuss the repeated occurrence of counterfeited Chinese phytosanitary certificates for WPMs destined to Canada. In agreement with AQSIQ officials, Canada would discontinue recognition of Chinese phytosanitary certificates and would only accept the IPPC mark in verifying Mainland China's compliance with Canada's phytosanitary import requirements for WPMs. These new requirements would be in place for shipments originating from the Mainland of China and would not affect shipments from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Traders may refer to the attached Annex B (pdf format) or the CFIA's website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/revchine.shtml for details.
     
  3. Traders are advised to visit the CFIA's website which is available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/wdpkge.shtml for the latest information regarding Canada's WPM regulations. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has also prepared some information related to WPM regulations on its website which is available at
    http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_plants/qua_plants_pq/qua_plants_pq_wpm
    /qua_plants_pq_wpm.html. Traders are also strongly advised to seek clarifications with their importers in Canada in order to comply with the necessary requirements.

ENQUIRIES

  1. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,




(Miss Bonny CHAO)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry