Standards & Regulations FAQs

Who makes decisions about issuing an Import Health Standard?

Under the Biosecurity Act 1993, decisions on issuing import health standards are the responsibility of the Director-General of MPI, on the recommendation of a Chief Technical Officer from Biosecuri

How do I explain the New Zealand standard to my suppliers?

Most international exporters will be aware of, if not already complying with, the ISPM 15 standard so explaination of the New Zealand standard should not be too difficult.

We recommend e-mailing the link to the full standard to all your suppliers for them to review.

What pests might be found on untreated wood packaging?

There are a number of different pest that could be found on untreated wood packaging. Some examples are:

  • Powder post beetle
  • Asian longhorn beetle
  • Citrus longhorn beetle
  • Subterranean termite

Even if wood packaging is treated accredited persons should still watch out for other pests and diseases that might be in their consignment. Re-infestation of treated wood packaging is also possible.

What items are considered wood packaging?

Wood packaging material includes items such as dunnage, crates, fillets, spacers, pallets, drums, and reels. Peeler cores are exempt from the international standard ISPM 15, but are included in the New Zealand standard when used for packaging.

What types of wood packaging items are exempt from the standard?

Packaging that is made from manufactured wood, such as plywood, oriented strand board, fibre-board, paper and cardboard packaging or those made from non-wood articles and thin wood (considered to be 6mm thickness or less) are exempt.

Wood packaging material such as sawdust, wood wool, and shavings, are regulated according to the Import Health Standard for Sawdust, Wood Chips, Wood Shavings, and Wood Wool from All Countries.

Why has New Zealand amended the import requirements for the entry of wood packaging?

In March 2002, the FAO Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures adopted new guidelines for wood packaging for international trade. These were called the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No 15: Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (ISPM 15).

ISPM 15 describes phytosanitary measures to reduce the risk of introduction and/or spread of quarantine pests associated with wood packaging material (including dunnage), made of coniferous and non-coniferous raw wood, for international trade.

Why are regulations needed to control wood packaging moving internationally?

Internationally wood packaging is recognized as an important pathway in the transmission of pests. A significant proportion of wood packaging is manufactured from relatively low quality raw wood which is likely to contain pests.

Many invasive pests have been intercepted on wood dunnage, pallets, crating or other wood packaging imported into New Zealand.

What other treatments are acceptable other than Methyl bromide?

Acceptable methods of treatment are available in Appendix 1 and Appendix 3 of the import health standard for wood packaging material.

Isn’t methyl bromide usage being phased out?

Methyl bromide is an ozone depleting substance and its use is not encouraged when alternatives are available. Methyl bromide use as a quarantine treatment is exempt from the consumption controls under the Montreal Protocol. It is not known how long this exemption will remain in place.

I import wine and/or spirits. Are the wooden barrels/finished display boxes regulated?

Yes. These items are not regulated under the wood packaging standard, but regulated under the Import Health Standard for Woodware

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