The European Union

Effective October 1, 2001, the European Union required that all non-manufactured wood packaging shipped to the EU must be compliant with European Union emergency measures and must be labeled with the required international symbol. The European Union consists of fifteen members including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The European Union requires coniferous non-manufactured wood packaging from countries infested with the pinewood nematode to be free of bark, grub holes larger than 3 mm, and to be heat-treated. The EU has adopted the emergency measures to reduce the risk of spreading the pinewood nematode.

China

The country of China announced emergency quarantine regulations effective January 1, 2000. The regulation will impact all shipments leaving the United States for China beginning January 1, 2000. The State Administration for Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (SAIQ) will require specific certification concerning SWPM, including bracing and dunnage, with all shipments leaving a US port on or after January 01, 2000. Other countries are expected to impose these requirements as well.

High Tech Crating has completed the certification process as outlined by the USDA and ALS to comply with the necessary standards. As your preferred packaging supplier, we are well aware of, and are ready to comply with any and all regulations. If you require certified packaging for your export shipment, please inform us and all necessary materials will be used to comply with regulations including any appropriate certification.