Import Health Standard for Wood Packaging Ma terial from All Countries  1 November 2009 
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Page 1 of  9 
 Import Health Standard 
 
Wood Packaging Material 
 
from 
 
All Countries 
 
 
 
AUTHORISATION 
 
This import health standard is issued in acco rdance with Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 
1993 (the Act). 
 
IHS Date: 1 November 2009 
 
Director-General 
Plant Imports & Exports Group 
Border Standards Directorate 
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand 
(Issued under delegated authority) 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 Page 
1 Official Contact Point 2 
2 General Import Requirements 2 
3 Specific Import Requirements fo r Wood Packaging Material 4 
4 Requirements on Arrival in New Zealand 4 
5 Appendix 1 Approved Methods Of Tr eatment According To ISPM15 7 
6 Appendix 2 Systems Acceptable For The Marking Of Wood Packaging 
Materials Treated According To ISPM 15 8 
7 Appendix 3 Other Treatments Approved For New Zealand 9 
 
 
  
Import Health Standard for Wood Packaging Ma terial from All Countries  1 November 2009 
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 1 OFFICIAL CONTACT POINT 
 
1.1 The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is the official contact point in New 
Zealand for overseas National Plant Protec tion Organisations (NPPO) and importers.  
Any enquiries about this import health st andard and requests for copies of this 
standard should be addressed to: 
 
Plant Imports 
Border Standards 
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand 
PO Box 2526 
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND 
 
Fax:  +64 4 894 0662 
Email:  plantimports@maf.govt.nz   
Web:  http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz   
 
 
1.2 Import health standards for forest produce and other related documents are available at 
the following web site address: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/imports/plants/forest   
 
A register of import health standards is av ailable for inspection at the office of the 
Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry located at: 
25 The Terrace, Pastoral House, Wellington. 
 
2 GENERAL IMPORT REQUIREMENTS 
 
2.1 SCOPE 
 
2.1.1 This import health standard describes the phytosanitary requirements  that must be met 
for wood packaging material to be given biosecurity clearance into New Zealand. 
 
2.1.2 Regulated Commodities 
Wood packaging material is defined as wood or wood products (excluding paper 
products) used in material supporting, protecting or carrying a commodity (includes 
dunnage) [ISPM Pub. No. 15, 2002]. 
 
Wood packaging material includes items such  as dunnage, crates, fillets, spacers, 
pallets, drums, and reels.  Although exempt  from ISPM 15, peeler cores are regulated 
by MAF under this standard when th ey are used for wood packaging. 
 
2.1.3 Commodities Exempt from this Import Health Standard: 
• Wood packaging made wholly of manufactured wood such as plywood, 
particleboard, oriented strand board, fi breboard, veneer, and chip board are 
regulated according to the Import Hea lth Standard Wooden Panels from All 
Countries. 
• Wood packaging material such as sawdust, wood wool, and shavings, are 
regulated according to the Import Health  Standard Sawdust, Wood Chips, Wood 
Shavings, and Wood Wool  from All Countries. 
• Animal crates used for the transportati on of live animals by ai r and wine barrels  
Import Health Standard for Wood Packaging Ma terial from All Countries  1 November 2009 
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 are regulated by the Import Health Sta ndard Woodware from All Countries. 
• Thin wood of 6mm thickness or less is ex empt from the requirements of this 
standard.  
• Wood components permanently attached to freight vehicles an d containers are 
exempt from the requirements of this standard.   
 
2.2 REFERENCES 
 
2.2.1 This import health standard has been developed under the requirements of the 
Biosecurity Act (1993) and in regard to New Zealand’s obligations under the 
International Plant Protection Convention (1997). 
 
Compliance with the provisions of this im port health standard does not absolve the 
importer of the need to comply with ot her laws relating to  or prohibiting the 
importation of goods (e.g. Trade in E ndangered Species Act 1989, Customs and 
Excise Act 1996). 
 
2.2.2 This import health standard refers to the following documents: 
 
• International Standard for Phytosanitary  Measures, Glossary of Phytosanitary 
Terms, Pub. No. 5, 2009 (ISPM 5)  
• International Standard for Phytosanitary  Measures, Guidelines for Regulating 
Wood Packaging Material in Internat ional Trade, Pub. No. 15, 2009 (ISPM 15)  
 
2.3 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS  
 
2.3.1 Any terms defined in the Biosecurity Act (1993) or by the International Plant 
Protection Convention (1997) and used in but  not otherwise defined in this import 
health standard have the same meaning as in the Act, or as in ISPM Pub. No. 5, 2009. 
 
Bark-free wood Wood from which all bark, except in-grown bark around 
knots and bark pockets between rings of annual growth, has 
been removed [ISPM Pub. No. 5, 2009] 
 
Inspector As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993, Part 1, 2 (1) 
 
ISPM 15 International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures, 
Guidelines for Regulating W ood Packaging Material in 
International Trade, Pub. No. 15, 2009. http://www.ippc.int
 
MAF The Ministry of Agricultu re and Forestry, New Zealand 
 
NPPO National Plant Protection Organisation 
 
  
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 3. SPECIFIC IMPORT REQUIREM ENTS FOR WOOD PACKAGING 
MATERIAL 
 
3.1 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 
 
3.1.1 Imported wood packaging material must be: 
a) Free of regulated pests  
b) Free of extraneous materi al (e.g. leaves, soil)   
c) Bark-free, in accordance with section 4.3.2 
d) Treated, in accordance  with section 3.2 
e) Certified, in accordance with section 3.3 
 
3.2 TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS 
 
3.2.1 Wood packaging must be treated accordi ng to the schedules set out in ISPM 15 
(Appendix 1) OR according to the treatments in Appendix 3.   
 
3.3  CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
 
3.3.1 Wood packaging treated to the ISPM 15 sta ndard (see Appendix 1) must be marked 
according to Appendix 2 or certified as per 3.3.2. 
 
3.3.2 Wood packaging treated with other treatments (Appendix 3)  must be accompanied by 
a phytosanitary certific ate with the treatment detailed in the Treatment Section or a 
NPPO-endorsed treatment certificate. 
 
3.4 REPAIRED AND REMANUFACTURED WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL 
 
3.4.1 Repaired wood packaging material is  wood packaging that has had up to 
approximately one third of its componen ts removed and placed. Repaired wood 
packaging material should be re-certifie d and remarked. All components of such 
material should have been treated. 
 
3.4.2 Remanufactured wood packaging material is wood packaging that has had more than 
approximately one third of its components  replaced. Remanufactured wood packaging 
material must have any previous applications  of the mark permanently obliterated (e.g. 
by covering with paint or grinding). Remanufactured wood packaging material must 
be re-treated and a new mark must then be  applied for compliance with this standard. 
 
4 REQUIREMENTS ON ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND 
 
The importer shall meet all costs specified in the Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations associated 
with the inspection, identifica tion of organisms and clearanc e of goods imported under this 
standard. Any treatment, if required, will be at the importer's expense.  
 
4.1 INSPECTION ON ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND 
 
4.1.1 MAF will risk profile all cargo consignments with wood packaging material and select 
a sample for inspection. 
  
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 4.1.2 If the wood packaging is not accompanied by the proper certification or marked 
according to section 3.3, the wood packaging ma terial will be considered untreated. 
 
4.1.3 Wood packaging material that does not comply  with this Import Health Standard may 
be inspected by a MAF inspector and releas ed, treated, reshipped or destroyed under 
the direction of MAF and at  the importer’s expense. 
 
4.1.4 All inspections completed on arrival in New Zealand will be carried out at the port of 
arrival or at a transitiona l facility approved by MAF. 
 
4.1.5 Wood packaging material associated with consignments that are not specifically 
selected by the risk profile may also be s ubject to inspection by MAF at a transitional 
facility or port of arrival. 
 
4.2 TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS 
 
4.2.1 Consignments arriving in New Zealand a nd bound for other countries must meet the 
import requirements of this standard. 
 
4.2.2 Wood packaging material reshipped to other countries from the por t of arrival within 
14 days will meet the requirements of this  standard to bring the consignment into 
compliance. 
 
4.3 ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN ON THE INTERCEPTION/DETECTION OF ORGANISMS/CONTAMINANTS 
 
4.3.1 Any live organisms detected on or in im ported wood packaging material may be 
identified, at the discretion of MAF and at the expense of the importer, to determine 
the regulatory status of the organism.  Identifications will be carried out regardless of prior or subsequent treatment(s) or action( s) applied to the wood packaging material. 
 
4.3.2 Wood packaging material contaminated with bark, soil, or other extraneous organic 
material (e.g. leaves, twigs) shall have  the contaminating material removed (if 
possible) or treated, re-shipped or destroyed. Small and clearl y distinct pieces of bark 
may remain on ISPM 15 marked wood packaging material if they are:  
 
• less than 3cm in width (regardless of the length), or  
• greater than 3cm in width, provided that the total surface area of an individual 
piece of bark is less than 50cm2.   
 
4.3.3 If regulated pests or cont aminants are intercepted/de tected on or in the wood 
packaging material, one or more of the follo wing actions will be undertaken if deemed 
to be appropriate in the circumstances: 
 
• Reshipment of the consignment, lot, or wood packaging material; 
• Treatment (where possible) of the consignm ent, lot, or wood packaging material; 
• Destruction of the consignment, lot, or wood packaging material in an appropriate 
manner; 
• Identification of the importer , agent or supplier, and an  alert profile applied to 
stop all, or a sample of subsequent consignments for inspection as risk goods; 
• The suspension of the pathway, until the cause of the non-compliance is 
investigated, identified and rectif ied to the satisfaction of MAF.  
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4.3.4 All treatments completed on arrival in New Zealand shall be carried out in a 
transitional facility approved by MAF. Goods must be treated by a MAF approved 
treatment supplier or under the supervisi on of MAF or an Independent Verification 
Agency.   
 
4.4 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE 
 
4.4.1 If the requirements of this import health st andard have been met, and regulated pests 
are not detected or are successfully treated  following detection, biosecurity clearance 
will be given. 
  
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APPENDIX 1 
APPROVED METHODS OF TREATMENT ACCORDING TO ISPM 15
1. Heat Treatment 
Wood packaging material must be heated in  accordance with a spec ific time-temperature 
schedule that achieves a minimum temperat ure of 56°C for a minimum duration of 30 
continuous minutes throughout the entire profile of the wood (including at its core). Kiln-
drying, chemical pressure impregnation, or other treatments may be used as a means of 
achieving heat treatment provide d that the above temperature and time requirements are met. 
Note:  For heat treatment, the rem oval of bark can be carried out before or after treatment. 
OR 
2. Fumigation 
Wood may be fumigated with methyl bromide  at normal atmospheric pressure at the 
following rates:   
 
Table 1 : Minimum CT over 24 hours for wood packaging material fumigated with methyl bromide 
Temperature  CT1 (g·h/ m3) over 24 
h  Minimum final 
concentration (g/ m3) 
after 24 h  
21 °C or above  650  24  
16 °C or above  800  28  
10 °C or above  900  32  
   
One example of a schedule that may be used  for achieving the specified requirements is 
shown in Table 2. 
 
Table 2 : Example of a treatment schedule that achieves the minimum required CT for wood 
packaging material treated with methyl bromide (in itial doses may need to be higher in conditions of 
high sorption or leakage) 
Minimum concentration (g/m3) at:  Temperature  Dosage  
(g/m3)  2 h  4 h  24 h  
21 °C or above  48  36  31  24  
16 °C or above  56  42  36  28  
10 °C or above  64  48  42  32  
 
Please note that methyl bromide is an ozone-d epleting substance and, as such, its use is not 
encouraged when alternatives are availabl e. Although its use as a quarantine treatment 
presently exempts it from consumption controls  under the Montreal Protocol, it is not known 
how long this exemption will remain in effect. 
                                                 
1 The CT product utilised for methyl bromide treatment in this standard is the sum of the product of the 
concentration (g/m3
) and time (h) over the duration of the treatment. APPENDIX 2 
SYSTEMS ACCEPTABLE FO R THE MARKING OF  
WOOD PACKAGING MATERIALS TR EATED ACCORDING TO ISPM 15
Wood packaging material that has been treated by one of the methods specified in Appendix 1 
and in a manner that is officially endorsed by the NPPO  of the country from which the wood 
packaging material originates, may be perm itted entry into New Zealand provided the wood 
packaging material is marked as follows: 
1. The mark must include: 
• the IPPC  symbol for treated wood packaging materials (as per Annex II of the 
"International Standard for Phytosanitary Me asures #15: Guidelines for Regulating 
Wood Packaging Material in  International Trade "). An example is reproduced below.  
 
Where XX represents the Internatio nal Standards Organisation two letter country code 
for the country in which the wood packaging is produced and 000 represents the 
official certification number issued to the facility produci ng the compliant wood 
packaging by the National Plant Protection Organisation and YY represents the 
treatment carried out (e.g. HT for heat treated wood or MB for methyl bromide treated 
wood). 
2. No other information shall be contained with in the border of the mark. If additional marks 
(e.g. trademarks of the producer, logo of the authorising body) are c onsidered useful to 
protect the use of the mark, such information shall be provided adjacent to but outside of 
the border of the mark. 
3. Markings should be:  
• legible  
• durable and not transferable  (tags are not allowed)  
• placed in a visible location on at least two opposite sides of the article being certified 
• not hand drawn 
4. The colors: red or orange should be avoided. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 APPENDIX 3  
 
OTHER TREATMENTS APPR OVED FOR NEW ZEALAND 
 
1) Fumigation with phosphine at 200ppm minimu m atmospheric concentration for the 
temperature and time rates specified in the following table: 
 
Temperature (° C) Duration 
10-15 15 days 
16-20 12 days 
21-25 9 days 
26-35 5 days 
 
 
2) Chemical preservation to full sapwood penetr ation as specified in the following table:  
 
Chemical Minimum Retention 
Boron compounds 
(insecticidal and limited fungicidal 
protection)  0.1% Boric Acid equivalent minimum loading in the sapwood core for Soft Wood 
 
0.2% mass/mass sapwood core for Hardwood 
Copper + didecyldimethyl ammonium 
chloride (DDAC) 
(insecticidal & fungicidal protection)  0.35% mass/mass OR 
2.8 kg/m3 in softwood timbers, 
5.60 kg/m3 in hardwood timbers. 
Copper azole 
(insecticidal & fungicidal protection)  0.23% mass/mass OR 
1.35 kg/m3 in softwood timbers, 
2.7 kg/m3 in hardwood timbers. 
Copper Chrome Arsenic (CCA) 
(insecticidal & fungicidal protection)  0.32% mass/mass OR 
3kg/m3 minimum preservative retention 
Propiconaole and Tebuconazole 
(insecticidal & fungicidal protection)  Minimum retention of 0.3% Propinazole + 
0.03% Tebuconazole m/m.