Notice to industry: importers of saunas, playground modules and prefabricated building kits containing wood components

Summary of changes

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is updating the import requirements for certain products containing wood components. These changes aim to strengthen phytosanitary risk prevention while simplifying processes for importers.

Key changes:

playground modules with wood components (HS 95.06.99) are now regulated
requirements for prefabricated construction kits (HS 94.06.10), including saunas, have been simplified: obligations are now aligned with the same technical criteria as those for play structures, reducing administrative burden
import requirements depend on the type of wood, the presence of round wood or bark, the thickness of the components and the product's origin

Effective date: April 20, 2026

For any questions regarding import requirements, consult the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) or contact your regional plant protection office. For any questions regarding Harmonized System (HS) codes, contact the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

A) Imports from all countries (excluding the continental United States)

New requirements based on wood component characteristics:

made entirely of processed wood
- Requirement: no additional requirement
no round wood, no bark, thickness less than or equal to 1.5 cm
- Requirement: no additional requirement
no round wood, no bark, thickness exceeding 1.5 cm
- Requirement: phytosanitary certificate required
- Required treatment to be indicated on the certificate: fumigation or heat treatment (Directive D-02-12, appendix 1)
- Exception – tropical species (Directive D-02-12, appendix 7): no treatment required; however, the species and origin must be indicated on the phytosanitary certificate
presence of bark and/or round wood
- Requirement: import permit required
- Prerequisite: a phytosanitary risk analysis by CFIA (evaluation of proposed treatments and certification systems) is required before the permit is issued
  Fees are applicable. The permit is issued only if the analysis is satisfactory. CFIA reserves the right to deny certain applications.

Notes on permits to import (countries other than the continental United States)

Most permits issued for prefabricated building kits will no longer be required after April 20, 2026 (table 1)
No action is needed if your permit is no longer required: simply do not renew the permit when it expires
To obtain a permit, submit an application to the CFIA
Processing time should be expected for the completion of the phytosanitary risk analysis.

Table 1: Phytosanitary requirements for the import into Canada of playground modules or prefabricated construction kits with wood components from all countries (excluding the continental United States)
Type of wood components	Requirements before April 20 playground modules (SH 95.06.99)	Requirements before April 20 prefabricated kits (SH 94.06.10)	Requirements starting April 20 playground modules and prefabricated kits
Made entirely of processed wood	Not regulated	Import permit required	Approved (no document required)
No round wood, no bark, thickness less than or equal to 1.5 cm	Not regulated	Import permit required	Approved (no document required)
No round wood, no bark, thickness exceeding 1.5 cm	Not regulated	Import permit required noted on permit: phytosanitary certificate required treatment required or confirmation of tropical species	Phytosanitary certificate required treatment required or confirmation of tropical species
With round wood and/or bark	Not regulated	Phytosanitary risk analysis required import permit required	Phytosanitary risk analysis required import permit required

B) Imports from the continental United States

New requirements based on wood component characteristics:

made entirely of processed wood
- requirement: no additional requirement
no round wood, no bark, thickness less than or equal to 1.5 cm
- requirement: no additional requirement
no round wood, no bark, thickness exceeding 1.5 cm
- requirement: import permit required
- Note: no prior pest risk analysis required; the permit sets conditions based on the state of origin
presence of bark and/or round wood
- Requirement: import permit required
- Note: no prior risk assessment; conditions established according to the state of origin

Notes for current permit holders (continental United States)

Most permits will continue to be required after April 20, 2026
No action is needed if your permit is no longer required: simply do not renew the permit when it expires
To obtain a permit, submit an application to the CFIA

Table 2: Phytosanitary requirements for the import into Canada of playground modules or prefabricated building kits with wood components from the continental United States
Type of wood components	Requirements before April 20 playground modules (SH 95.06.99)	Requirements before April 20 prefabricated kits (SH 94.06.10)	Requirements starting April 20 playground modules and prefabricated kits
Made entirely of processed wood	Not regulated	Import permit required	Approved (no document required)
No round wood, no bark, thickness less than equal to 1.5 cm	Not regulated	Import permit required	Approved (no document required)
No round wood, no bark, thickness greater than 1.5 cm	Not regulated	Import permit required	Import permit required
With round wood and/or bark	Not regulated	Import permit required	Import permit required