Forest Products Export Standards - Phytosanitary Requirements of United States of America

Disclaimer

The information in this standard is provided on the following basis. The phytosanitary requirements found in this standard may be used as the basis of export certification. However, requirements may be changed by importing countries at any time at short notice or with no notice to New Zealand. This information is provided strictly on the basis that the Crown, the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, its statutory officers, employees, agents and all other persons responsible for or associated with the compilation, writing, editing, approval or publication of the information:

  1. disclaim any and all responsibility for any inaccuracy, error, omission, lateness, or any other kind of inadequacy, deficiency or flaw in, or in relation to, the information; and
  2. without limiting (1) above, fully exclude any and all liability of any kind on the part of all of them, to any person or entity that chooses to rely on this information

Compliance with this standard is not to be taken as a guarantee that any particular goods will be granted access to any overseas market.

Last Updated: 30 November 2011

Logs (All Species)

Import Permits or Declarations Import permit required.
Certification Requirements Importer document (written declaration signed by importer) OR phytosanitary certificate required.
Prohibited Importations  
Bark No more than 2% of the surface in a shipping lot may retain bark, with no single log retaining bark on more than 5% of its surface.

Fumigated temperate hardwood logs do not need to be debarked.
Insects Free of Quarantine Pests.
Fungi Free of Quarantine Pests.
Soil Free of soil.
Other  
Pre-Shipment Inspections Verification inspection required if a phytosanitary certificate is to be issued.
Approved Pre-Shipment Treatments Logs must be heat treated unless exempted. See concessional release field below.

For further information regarding treatments see section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov)and the PPQ Treatment Manual (offsite link to www.aphis.usda.gov).
Fumigation Fumigated as specified on import permit (temperate hardwood logs only). If applicable, fumigation schedules are:
  • Methyl bromide; 48g/m3 (3lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 21°C or above(≥70°F) with minimum concentrations: 36g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 30g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 27g/m3 at 4 hrs and 25g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide; 80g/m3 (5lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 4.5 to 21°C (40 to 69 °F ) with minimum concentrations: 60g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 51g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 46g/m3 at 4 hrs and 42g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide;120g/m3 at minimum temperature of 5°C for 16hrs. (alternative to T404 schedules)
Figures in g/m3 can also be read as oz/1000ft3.
Antisapstain and Insecticide treatments  
Insecticide treatments

 
Heat treatments

Heat treated as specified on import permit. Specified schedule may be:

  • 71.1º C (160ºF) for 75 minutes at the core of the log. (T314-c)

 
Preservative treatments  
Concessional Release See " Logs(Alternative Option for Pinus radiata and Douglas fir ONLY)" for concessional terms and conditions for Pinus radiata and Pseudotsuga menziesii.

Temperate hardwood logs do not require heat treatment if they are fumigated prior to arrival in the U.S.A.

 
General During the entire interval between treatment and export, the logs must be stored and handled in a manner which excludes any access to the logs by plant pests.

Logs (Alternative Option for Pinus radiata and Douglas fir ONLY)

Import Permits or Declarations Import Permit Required

Additional declarations as stated on import permit. If applicable additional declarations required are:
  • "The logs are from healthy trees which are apparently free of plant pests, plant pest damage, and decay organisms."
AND
  • "The logs were debarked in accordance with section 7, part 319.40-7(b) of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations prior to fumigation."
AND
  • "The logs and any regulated wood packaging material used with the logs during shipment to the United States was fumigated in accordance with section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations within 45 days following the date the trees were felled and prior to arrival in the United States. Fumigation was conducted in the same sealable container or hold in which the logs and regulated wood packaging material were exported to the United States."
AND EITHER
  • "During shipment to the United States the logs and other regulated articles were in separate holds or separate sealed containers."
OR
  • "The logs that are in a hold or sealed container are mixed with other regulated articles that have been fumigated in accordance with section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations prior to arrival in the United States. Fumigation was conducted in the same sealable container or hold in which the logs and other regulated articles were exported to the United States."
Certification Requirements Phytosanitary certificate required.
Prohibited Importations  
Bark No more than 2% of the surface in a shipping lot may retain bark, with no single log retaining bark on more than 5% of its surface.
Insects Free of Quarantine Pests
Fungi Free of Quarantine Pests
Soil Free of soil.
Other  
Pre-Shipment Inspections Verification inspection required.
Approved Pre-Shipment Treatments Fumigation required. For further information regarding treatments see section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov) and the PPQ Treatment Manual (offsite link to www.aphis.usda.gov).
Fumigation Fumigated as specified on import permit. If applicable, fumigation schedules are:
  • Methyl bromide; 48g/m3 (3lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 21°C or above(≥70°F) with minimum concentrations: 36g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 30g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 27g/m3 at 4 hrs and 25g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide; 80g/m3 (5lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 4.5 to 21°C (40 to 69 °F ) with minimum concentrations: 60g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 51g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 46g/m3 at 4 hrs and 42g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide;120g/m3 at minimum temperature of 5°C for 16hrs. (alternative to T404 schedules)
Figures in g/m3 can also be read as oz/1000ft3

Fumigation must be within 45 days following the date the trees were felled. Fumigation must be conducted in the same sealable container or hold in which the logs are exported.
Antisapstain treatments -
Heat treatments

-

 
Preservative treatments -
Concessional Release Conditions stated are concessional. See "Logs (All Species)" for non-concession terms and conditions.
General The logs must be:
  • Consigned to a facility that operates in accordance with section 7, part 319.40-8 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, and transported to the facility from the port of first arrival by as direct a route as reasonably possible,
  • Segregated from other regulated forest products from the time of discharge until they are completely processed at a facility that operates under a compliance agreement in accordance with section 7, part 319.40-8 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov),
Special requirements at the processing facility are detailed in section 7, part 319.40-5(b)(iii) of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov).

Wood/ Timber - Sawn (All Species)

Import Permits or Declarations Import permit required.

Additional declarations as specified on import permit. If applicable an additional declaration is required for railway sleepers that have not been heat treated:
  • "The cross-ties will be pressure treated with a preservative within 30 days following the date of importation at a U.S. facility under compliance agreement."
Certification Requirements Importer document (written declaration signed by importer) OR phytosanitary certificate required.
Prohibited Importations  
Bark No more than 2% of the surface in a shipping lot may retain bark, with no single piece retaining bark on more than 5% of its surface.
Untreated green sawn or air dried timber (including railway sleepers that haven't been heat treated) must be 100% free of bark.
Insects Free of Quarantine Pests.
Fungi Free of Quarantine Pests.
Soil Free of soil.
Other  
Pre-Shipment Inspections Verification inspection required if a phytosanitary certificate is to be issued.
Approved Pre-Shipment Treatments Timber must be heat treated unless the timber is
  • Railway sleepers consigned to a U.S. facility operating under compliance agreement at which they will be pressure treated with a preservative within 30 days following the date of importation,
OR
  • Fumigated temperate hardwood timber
OR For further information regarding treatments see section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov) and the PPQ Treatment Manual (offsite link to www.aphis.usda.gov).
Fumigation Fumigated as specified on import permit (Temperate hardwood timber only). If applicable, fumigation (T404-b-1-1) schedules are:
  • Methyl bromide; 48g/m3(3lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 21°C or above (≥70°F) with minimum concentrations: 36g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 30g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 27g/m3 at 4 hrs and 25g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide; 80g/m3 (5lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 4.5 to 21°C (40 to 69°F ) with minimum concentrations: 60g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 51g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 46g/m3 at 4 hrs and 42g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide;120g/m3 at minimum temperature of 5°C for 16hrs. (alternative to T404 schedules) Figures in g/m3 can also be read as oz/1000ft3.
Antisapstain and

 

 
Insecticide treatments  
Heat treatments Heat treated as specified on import permit. Specified schedule may be:
  • 71.1º C (160ºF) for 75 minutes at the core of the timber. (T314-c)

Kiln sterilised as specified on import permit. Specified schedules may be:

  • 60°C (140°F) dry bulb temp, 3.9°C wet bulb depression, 82% RH, 13.8% mc for 3, 5 or 7 hrs for timber of 25mm, 50mm and 76mm thickness respectively. (T404-b-4)
  • 54.5°C (130°F) dry bulb temp, 8.9°C wet bulb depression, 60% RH, 9.4% mc for 10, 12 or 14 hrs for timber of 25mm, 50mm or 76mm thickness respectively. (T404-b-4)
  • 52°C (125°F) dry bulb temp, 8.4°C wet bulb depression, 61% RH, 9.7% mc for 46, 48 or 50 hrs for timber of 25mm, 50mm or 76mm thickness respectively. (T404-b-4)
Heat treated timber may be shipped with other untreated regulated forest products if stowed in separate holds or sealed containers or if the regulated forest products have been treated or heat treated with moisture reduction in accordance with section 7, part 305-8 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov).
Preservative treatments  
Concessional Release See "Wood/ Timber - Sawn (Alternative Option for Pinus radiata and Douglas fir ONLY)" field for concessional conditions for Pinus radiata and Pseudotsuga mensiesii.
General  

Wood/ Timber - Sawn (Alternative Option for Pinus radiata and Douglas Fir ONLY)

Import Permits or Declarations Import permit required.
Certification Requirements Importer document (written declaration signed by importer) OR phytosanitary certificate required.
Prohibited Importations  
Bark 100% free of bark unless fumigated. If fumigated no more than 2% of the surface in a shipping lot may retain bark, with no single piece retaining bark on more than 5% of its surface.
Insects Free of Quarantine Pests.
Fungi Free of Quarantine Pests.
Soil Free of soil.
Other  
Pre-Shipment Inspections Verification inspection required if a phytosanitary certificate is to be issued.
Approved Pre-Shipment Treatments Treatment NOT required unless shipped on the same vessel as other regulated forest products that are not stowed in separate holds or sealed containers.

Un-segregated shipments of timber and other regulated forest products (other than wood packaging) must be fumigated.

For further information regarding treatments see section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov) and the PPQ Treatment Manual (offsite link to www.aphis.usda.gov).
Fumigation Fumigated as specified on import permit. If applicable, fumigation schedules are:
  • Methyl bromide; 48g/m3 (3lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 21°C or above (≥70°F) with minimum concentrations: 36g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 30g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 27g/m3 at 4 hrs and 25g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide; 80g/m3 (5lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 4.5 to 21°C (40 to 69°F ) with minimum concentrations: 60g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 51g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 46g/m3 at 4 hrs and 42g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide;120g/m3 at minimum temperature of 5°C for 16hrs. (alternative to T404 schedules)
Figures in g/m3 can also be read as oz/1000ft3.

Fumigation must be in the same sealable container or hold in which product is exported to the United States.
Antisapstain treatments and Insecticide treatments  
Heat treatments  
Preservative treatments  
Concessional Release Conditions stated are concessional. See "Wood/ Timber - Sawn (All Species)" for non-concession terms and conditions.
General Timber on the vessel's deck must be in a sealed container.

Wood/ Timber - Chips

Import Permits or Declarations Import permit required

Additional declarations as stated on import permit. If applicable additional declarations required are:
  • Wood chips or wood mulch "has been fumigated in accordance with section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations",
OR
  • Wood chips or wood mulch "has been heat treated in accordance with section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations",
OR
  • Wood chips or wood mulch "has been heat treated with moisture reduction in accordance with section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations".
Certification Requirements Importer document (written declaration signed by importer) OR phytosanitary certificate required.
Prohibited Importations  
Bark Logs must be debarked before being chipped. Bark may not be present on more than 2% of the surface area in a lot, and 5% of any single wood chip.
Insects Free of Quarantine Pests.
Fungi Free of Quarantine Pests.
Soil  
Other  
Pre-Shipment Inspections Verification inspection required if a phytosanitary certificate is to be issued.
Approved Pre-Shipment Treatments Must be fumigated or heat treated.

For further information regarding treatments see section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov) and the PPQ Treatment Manual (offsite link to www.aphis.usda.gov).
Fumigation Fumigated as specified on import permit. If applicable, fumigation schedules are:
  • Methyl bromide; 48g/m3 (3lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 21°C or above (≥70°F) with minimum concentrations: 36g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 30g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 27g/m3 at 4 hrs and 25g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide; 80g/m3 (5lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 4.5 to 21°C (40 to 69 °F ) with minimum concentrations: 60g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 51g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 46g/m3 at 4 hrs and 42g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide;120g/m3 at minimum temperature of 5°C for 16hrs. (alternative to T404 schedules)
Figures in g/m3 can also be read as oz/1000ft3.
Antisapstain and Insecticide treatments  
Heat treatments Kiln sterilised as specified on import permit. Specified schedules may be:
  • 60°C (140°F) dry bulb temp, 3.9°C wet bulb depression, 82% RH, 13.8% mc for 3, 5 or 7 hrs for timber of 25mm, 50mm and 76mm thickness respectively. (T404-b-4)
  • 54.5°C (130°F) dry bulb temp, 8.9°C wet bulb depression, 60% RH, 9.4% mc for 10, 12 or 14 hrs for timber of 25mm, 50mm or 76mm thickness respectively. (T404-b-4)
  • 52°C (125°F) dry bulb temp, 8.4°C wet bulb depression, 61% RH, 9.7% mc for 46, 48 or 50 hrs for timber of 25mm, 50mm or 76mm thickness respectively. (T404-b-4)
Preservative treatments  
Concessional Release Dry wood wool, dry sawdust and dry wood shavings, whether in use as packaging or imported as cargo, are permitted to be imported subject to inspection.
General
Wood chips (excluding wood mulch) must be:
  • Shipped in separate holds or separate sealed containers to other regulated forest products (other than wood packaging) or if stowed on the vessel's deck.
  • Consigned to a facility in the U.S.A that operates under a compliance agreement in accordance with section 7, part 319.40-8 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov) where they must be processed in a manner that will destroy any plant pests within 30 days of arrival at the facility.

Wood Products - Reconstituted/ Plywood/LVL/ Veneer

Import Permits or Declarations Import permit NOT required.
Certification Requirements Phytosanitary certificate NOT required
Prohibited Importations  
Bark  
Insects Free of Quarantine Pests.
Fungi Free of Quarantine Pests
Soil Free of soil.
Other  
Pre-Shipment Inspections Verification inspection NOT required.
Approved Pre-Shipment Treatments  
Fumigation

 
Antisapstain and Insecticide treatments

 
Heat treatments  
Preservative treatments  
Concessional Release None specified for New Zealand
General

 

Wood Products - Manufactured

Import Permits or Declarations Import permit NOT required.
Certification Requirements Phytosanitary certificate NOT required.
Prohibited Importations  
Bark  
Insects Free of Quarantine Pests
Fungi Free of Quarantine Pests
Soil Free of soil.
Other  
Pre-Shipment Inspections Verification inspection NOT required.
Approved Pre-Shipment Treatments  
Fumigation  
Antisapstain treatments  
Insecticide treatments  
Heat treatments  
Preservative treatments  
Concessional Release None specified for New Zealand
General  

Wood Products - Packaging

Import Permits or Declarations Import permit NOT required.
Certification Requirements Wood packaging material and dunnage must be marked in accordance with ISPM 15.
Phytosanitary certificate NOT required.
Prohibited Importations  
Bark Wood packaging material and dunnage must be made of debarked wood in accordance with ISPM 15.
Insects

Free of insects of the families:

Cerambycidae (Long horn beetles),
Buprestidae (Jewel beetles),
Siricidae (Sirex wood-wasps),
Cossidae (Carpenter moths),
Curculionidae (Weevils),
Platypodidae (Ambrosia beetles),
Sesiidae (Clear-wing moths),
Scolytidae (Bark beetles).
Fungi  
Soil  
Other  
Pre-Shipment Inspections  
Approved Pre-Shipment Treatments  
Fumigation Wood packaging material and dunnage must be treated in accordance with ISPM 15.
Antisapstain and Insecticide treatments  
Heat treatments Wood packaging material and dunnage must be treated in accordance with ISPM 15.
Preservative treatments  
Concessional Release Dry wood wool, dry sawdust and dry wood shavings, whether in use as packaging or imported as cargo, are permitted to be imported subject to inspection.
General Wood packaging made from Pinus radiata or Pseudotsuga menziesii exported as cargo may enter the United States under the same conditions as "Wood/ Timber - Sawn (Alternative Option for Pinus radiata and Douglas fir ONLY)"

ISPM 15 marked wood packaging found with live insects from the families Cerambycidae, Buprestidae, Siricidae, Cossidae, Curculionidae, Platypodidae, Sesiidae, or Scolytidae will be re-exported at the importers expense.

Bark

Import Permits or Declarations Import permit required

Additional declarations as stated on import permit. If applicable additional declarations required are:
  • Bark chips "have been fumigated in accordance with section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations",
OR
  • Bark chips "have been heat treated in accordance with section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations",
OR
  • Bark chips "have been heat treated with moisture reduction in accordance with section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations".
Certification Requirements Importer document (written declaration signed by importer) OR phytosanitary certificate required.
Prohibited Importations  
Bark  
Insects Free of Quarantine Pests.
Fungi Free of Quarantine Pests.
Soil  
Other  
Pre-Shipment Inspections Verification inspection required if a phytosanitary certificate is to be issued.
Approved Pre-Shipment Treatments Must be fumigated or heat treated.

For further information regarding treatments see section 7, part 305 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov) and the PPQ Treatment Manual (offsite link to www.aphis.usda.gov).
Fumigation Fumigated as specified on import permit. If applicable, fumigation schedules are:
  • Methyl bromide; 48g/m3 (3lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 21°C or above (≥70°F) with minimum concentrations: 36g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 30g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 27g/m3 at 4 hrs and 25g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide; 80g/m3 (5lb/1000ft3) for temperatures 4.5 to 21°C (40 to 69°F ) with minimum concentrations: 60g/m3 at 0.5hrs (1hr for closed-door container fumigations), 51g/m3 at 2 hours (2.5hrs for closed-door container fumigations), 46g/m3 at 4 hrs and 42g/m3 at 16 hrs. (T404-b-1-1)
  • Methyl bromide;120g/m3 at minimum temperature of 5°C for 16hrs. (alternative to T404 schedules)
    • Figures in g/m3 can also be read as oz/1000ft3.
Antisapstain and Insecticide treatments  
Insecticide treatments  
Heat treatments Heat treated as specified on import permit. Specified schedules may be:
  • 60°C (140°F) dry bulb temp, 3.9°C wet bulb depression, 82% RH, 13.8% mc for 3, 5 or 7 hrs for timber of 25mm, 50mm and 76mm thickness respectively. (T404-b-4)
  • 54.5°C (130°F) dry bulb temp, 8.9°C wet bulb depression, 60% RH, 9.4% mc for 10, 12 or 14 hrs for timber of 25mm, 50mm or 76mm thickness respectively. (T404-b-4)
  • 52°C (125°F) dry bulb temp, 8.4°C wet bulb depression, 61% RH, 9.7% mc for 46, 48 or 50 hrs for timber of 25mm, 50mm or 76mm thickness respectively. (T404-b-4)
Preservative treatments  
Concessional Release  
General Bark chips must be:
  • Shipped in separate holds or separate sealed containers to other regulated forest products (other than wood packaging) or if stowed on the vessel's deck.
  • Consigned to a facility in the U.S.A that operates under a compliance agreement in accordance with section 7, part 319.40-8 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (offsite link to ecfr.gpoaccess.gov)where they must be processed in a manner that will destroy any plant pests within 30 days of arrival at the facility.

Page last updated: 1 December 2011