The US Department of Agriculture through its Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency  introduced regulations on the 17th December and 4th January 1999 which are intended to stop the accidental importation of the Asian Long Horn Beetle into the United States and Canada.

The regulations require all solid wood dunnage and cargo packing for cargoes originating from China and the Hong Kong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) be heat treated and/or fumigated in accordance with specified schedules in order to ensure eradication of any trace of Asian Long Horn Beetle which reportedly attacks hard wood forest. The treatment and/or fumigation must be evidenced by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the competent national plant protection organisation in China or HKSAR. This certificate must travel with the cargo and bill of lading and be available for presentation to at the discharge port as part of process for customs clearance.

Any cargo stowed with untreated dunnage and shipped without the required certificate risks being detained by the US and Canadian authorities on discharge and possibly confiscated.

Cargo owners are expected to indemnify carriers for any additional costs and liabilities they incur as a result of shippers non-compliance with these regulations.

A summary of US Entry requirements according to 7CFR 319.40 is available from the Club - contact the Loss Prevention Department - if required.

Source of Information :

External through Peter Astbury (L8)