If you’re in the business of shipping cargo, then you will need to get a fumigation certificate.

This certificate is also known as pest control certificate, and it is very important, as it shows that the wooden materials used in packaging the shipment have gone through a thorough and proper fumigation process.

In a fumigation certificate, you will find in-depth information about the treatment procedures that the wooden materials for cargo have passed through.

You will also find information on the types of chemicals that were used and how long they were used.

When And Why Fumigation Is Necessary

The reason fumigation is important in cargo shipment is that the wooden materials used in packaging goods may contain harmful pests. These pests, if allowed to enter other countries, could mean danger to the forests of the respective countries they are shipped to.

Some pests can lodge inside wood for very long periods without being spotted, and this is why the wood used in shipping must be thoroughly fumigated before it passes for shipping to other countries.

For this reason, companies that are in the business of moving goods from one country to the other must obtain a fumigation certificate, as it serves as proof that the wooden materials used for cargo have been fumigated and are pest-free.

The fumigation process involved using toxic gasses and chemicals to treat the wooden materials used on shipping. The aim here is to kill any insect pests that may be lodged within the materials before it is transported to a foreign country.

Nowadays, many importers have begun using plastic materials to package goods, as this saves them the hassle of the fumigation process and trying to obtain a Fumigation certificate together.

How does the process work?

Fumigation is carried out on wooden materials to remove and kill destructive insect pests such as termites, ants, and any other pest that may cause harm or damage to the wood and to the environment where they are being transported to.

Fumigation is of the utmost importance when transporting goods packaged in wooden material to other countries.

During the process of fumigation, the pests will be poisoned suffocated, and eventually killed by the chemicals that are applied to the wooden materials.

Since the chemicals required for fumigation are very toxic, only licensed fumigators are allowed to carry out the process. You will. also need permission to carry out the fumigation, and permission can only be granted by the relevant authorities.

Most countries of the world require a fumigation certificate for all imported shipments. If you do not.posess a fumigation certificate, then you will not be allowed to bring your shipment into these countries.

Assuming you are a U.S buyer and the container you are importing has been marked for USDA inspection, this means that it has to pass through an inspection that will check to see if any pests are harboring inside the wooden materials.

If your cargo has previously been fumigated and you have the fumigation certificate as proof, then you can be at ease, knowing your cargo will pass the inspection.

So, if your goods are going to be packaged in wooden materials, it would be wise if you ask your supplier to first fumigate the package and obtain a certificate before it is set for shipping.

Alternatives To Wooden Packaging

Many importers have grown tired of the hassle involved in both fumigating the packages, obtaining a fumigation certificate, and facing a final inspection when the goods are about to ship. For this reason, they have begun to explore other options for packaging other than wood.

One material that has become a replacement for the wooden package is plastic. Instead of packaging goods in wooden crates, plastic crates are now being used.

Wood-based products do not require to be fumigated, since they have already passed through a rigorous manufacturing process which will kill any insect pests. This means they can.also be used to package goods for shipping.

Wood-based products include blockboard, plywood, hardboard, and cardboard boxes. All these are ideal for packaging and shipping goods. Although it depends on the weight and nature of the goods being shipped.

Requirements And Procedures For Fumigation Of Exported Goods

As far as import and export go, most nation’s of the world will do the necessary things to protect their shores and ecosystem from being invaded by harmful insect pests, brought in by careless importers who did not fumigate their cargo before attempting to bring them in.

For wood packaging, fumigation is a very important first step that must be taken if the goods are to be shipped to another country.

Wood packaging must go through a decontamination price before it leaves shore.

If the goods being exported are packed in natural wood, the IPPC should be identified according to the country of export.

For instance, if the goods are being shipped to the U.S, Japan, Canada, Australia, etc, if they are packaged in natural wood, then they must be fumigated.

After the fumigation, the goods will be allowed to ship once a fumigation certificate has been presented and upon arriving at its destination, a professional fumigation team will place an IPPC logo on the cargo.

The customs broker has to display the customer name, country of shipment, box number, etc.

Fumigation can be split into FCL fumigation amd LCL fumigation.

Below is the process.

  • Spray different types of fumigants according to the requirements of the country you are shipping to
  • If there are no special requirements by the customer, the fumigation team can spray CH3BR for 24 hours fumigation
  • Inform the customs broker of the landing cargo and its location, after which the fumigation team.will label the cargo with the “IPPC” sticker in front and at the back of each cargo
  • A venue for packing will be arranged

LCL fumigation

Fumigation for LCL shipments can be placed in the same container to be fumigated. However, certain conditions must first meet.

  • They must be heading to the same destination port
  • Same country
  • Same voyage
  • Inspection at the same commodity inspection bureau

Fumigation Time

It is required that fumigation must reach 24 hours, after which the fumigation team is required to apply a fumigation mark and a cockroach mark of the package.

When the 24 hours have been elapsed, the fumigation team will remove the sticker.

Requirements For Packaging

No wood packaging should have bark and.insect eyes. In a case where the wood packaging has bark, the general customs broker will assist in the customer in.shovelling the.bark

In a case where an insect pest is found, the shipper needs to be notified to replace the package.

You should get a fumigation certificate before the goods leave for its destination. You cannot obtain one after they have been shipped.

Fumigation Certificate Required Countries & Rules

Many countries in the world will not allow wooden packaged containers to enter if they do not provide a fumigation certificate. Each of these countries has its own special set of rules.

The United States Fumigation Certificate Requirements

As of the 27th of December 1998, federal laws state that wood packaging of goods for the US shall be treated by heat treatment, fumigation, or anticorrosion and the relevant certificates must be issued by the official quarantine institution.

All the imported wood packaging following ISPM15 international standards for the implementation of pesticide treatment and labeling.

If no wooden packaging is issued by the exporter without wooden packaging certification.             Does not conform to the international mark of ISPM15 will immediately request to return the shipment.

Canada Fumigation Certificate Requirements

Since January 4, 1999, the wood packaging of goods to be processed shall be treated with pesticide and the relevant certificate issued by the official quarantine institution     All of the imported wood packaging (except the United States) is to implement the ISPM15 international standards for pesticide treatment

No trace of bark, live worms, and live insects.       The logo may adopt the international standard request, and may also formulate one, but must inform the CIFA beforehand

If there is no wood packaging, it shall be accompanied by a certificate of no wooden packaging issued by the exporter.

Mexico Fumigation Certificate Requirements

New wood packaging quarantine measures: The use of ISPM#15, quarantine measures similar to the United States.

Australia Fumigation Certificate Requirements

All wood and wood products (including deep-processing wood products, such as plywood, fiberboard, etc.) before their importation to Australia must be in the export country fumigation treatment, and by the official quarantined institutions issued a phytosanitary certificate or fumigation/ disinfection certificate.

Other fumigation Certificate required countries include New Zealand, The United Kingdom, Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Switzerland, Chile, Costa Rica, Columbia, and Turkey.

Conclusion

If you’re in the business of importing and exporting goods, then you would understand the importance of a fumigation certificate.

Many countries require the importer to have one before their wood-packaged goods are cleared to enter their countries. The reason for this is that they need to be sure the wooden materials are pest-free.

Hope this has been informative.

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