Brazil - new regulations covering wood packaging material

On 24 September 2015 Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food supply (MAPA) published Instruction no. 32 (IN 32/2015) which introduced new regulations for the monitoring and phytosanitary certification of wood packing material for goods imported or exported by Brazil. IN 32/2015 aims to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of pests into the country and, according to MAPA, will also ensure a more efficient control and supervision at the Brazilian border by reducing the time taken to release goods.

The new regulations are generally based on the “Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade“(ISPM15) issued by the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, and apply to any packaging and wooden supports, or pieces of wood that have not undergone sufficient processing to remove or eliminate pests.  The new regulations cover boxes, crates, cages, cable drums, pallets and platforms, etc. made of wood. However, packaging made from wood processed in such a way that it is free from pests, e.g. plywood, are specifically excluded. A copy of Brazil’s IN 32/2015, in Portugese, can be found here.

Members and clients with vessels calling at Brazilian ports should note that IN 32/2015 enters into force on 1 February 2016 and applies to cargoes carried under bills of lading issued on or after this date. It is recommended that, as a part of the cargo booking process, shippers are asked to confirm whether the cargo contains wood packaging material and, if so, whether it has been treated and certified according to relevant standards and provided with the appropriate certificates.

We are grateful to Gard’s correspondent in Santos Brazil, Representações Proinde Ltda., for providing this information.