Exporting Bugs?

Do crates and pallets need to be certified "Bug Free" before shipping internationally?  Yes, and the most common time shippers first find out about this is just before their shipment is ready to go out.

Here's how it goes.  They have their item crated and ready to go.  A call is made for the carrier to pick-up and they ask, "is the crate ISPM 15 compliant?"  The typical first response is, "huh?"

Over the past 10 years, more and more countries have adopted this standard to ensure that the wood packaging materials entering their county are free of destructive insects.  These insects can cause immense damage to crops and forests when introduced to foreign lands.   Therefore, when shipping to one of these countries (see links below) the crate must be stamped as shown in the photo.

What to do?  A crate must be obtained from vendor registered with an accredited inspection agency.  Craters & Freighters of NY/NJ is registered and our crates are stamped with the proper certification.

http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/cf/ispm15.do

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/wpm/wpm_faqs.shtml#1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISPM_15