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Notice to industry – New phytosanitary requirements for the export of Canadian pine wood to China

March 1, 2022

Update: China Customs has confirmed that containers carrying pine wood (Pinus spp.), including lumber and logs, are not allowed to transship (be taken off an inbound vessel and loaded onto a second vessel) through unapproved ports in China, en route to an approved port listed below.

Wood products continue to be subject to inspection and testing for pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), which may result in delays with customs clearance.

January 21, 2022

Following the emergency measures announced by China in October 2021 regarding pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), China Customs has communicated the following import requirements for pine wood (Pinus spp.), including lumber and logs.

The new requirements will come into force February 1, 2022, and apply to Pinus spp. originating from the following countries: Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the United States.

The implementation date will be strictly enforced and all shipments arriving in China on or after February 1, 2022, must meet the new requirements.

For pine logs

  1. Pine logs must be sampled and tested for pine wood nematode prior to export. If this pest is detected, the logs cannot be exported to China
    • The CFIA laboratory requires a minimum of 2 weeks to complete testing for pine wood nematode
    • Please submit your application for export inspection and phytosanitary certification as early as possible to ensure there is adequate time to complete the sampling, testing and appropriate treatment before export
  2. If pine wood nematode is not detected, the logs must be:
    • fumigated with methyl bromide (MB) and
    • accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with treatment details and the following additional declaration: "This consignment of pine wood has been sampled and tested in laboratory, and Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was not detected."

For pine lumber

  1. Pine lumber must be heat treated to 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes (core temperature) and the treatment must be indicated on the phytosanitary certificate
  2. If not heat-treated, the lumber must meet the same phytosanitary requirements as for pine logs

    Note: Canada is signatory to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and is committed to phasing out reliance on methyl bromide use. Because heat treatment is an available option for lumber, pine lumber that is not heat treated will only be certified for export in exceptional circumstances

    Consignments of mixed untreated (green) lumber containing pine wood (e.g., spruce, pine, fir) will not be certified for export. due to the absence of a suitable sampling rate for mixed lumber

Additionally, pine lumber and logs will only be allowed entry into designated Chinese ports as listed below:

China Customs also stated that all pine wood products are subject to testing, inspections and/or quarantine upon arrival. Any non-compliant consignments will be destroyed or returned, and imports from associated enterprises and production areas may be suspended.

If you have any questions, please contact your local CFIA office.

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