Procedures To Imports Wood Packaging Materials(WPM) into Malaysia

The Department of Agriculture will be implementing ISPM No.15 for imports starting 1st January 2010 . Was full enforced effective 1st July 2010. Included Domestics import vice-versa Peninsular Malaysia to and from East Malaysia ( Sabah & Sarawak)

Information from Department of Agriculture.

Procedures

Agricultural Commodities

i) All exporters should declare, "this consignment contain wood packaging materials", by stamping on the manifest/invoice/packing list
ii) All importers should apply for inspection/clearance to Customs/Port Authority at least 24 hours prior to arrival of cargo for all commodities accompanied with WPM.
iii) Upon arrival , WPM shall be subjected to inspection and clearance by MAQIS Officers or Import Officers*.
iv) All trans-shipment may be inspected/cleared at the final port of destination.
v) All WPM should have the required/approved marking. There is no requirement for a date to be part of the approved marking per ISPM 15. No other documentation is required for the release of WPM.
vi) The following phytosanitary measures should be followed in the event of the following situation;

1. Without Approved Marking

• Commodity must be put on hold and shall be under guard by MAQIS Officers or Import Officers*.
• If the commodity with the WPM will not be affected by Methyl Bromide treatment, conduct treatment at once.
• If the Methyl Bromide have an effect on the commodity, necessary stripping of the commodity will be required.
• Non-compliance report shall be prepared by MAQIS to be submitted to DOA for notification immediately to the NPPO of the country of origin and a copy furnished to the importer.
• Any non-compliant WPM must at all times be stored in a closed container that is effective in ensuring that pests are not allow to enter the environment.
• Storage areas of non-compliant WPM must be:

i) isolated from other domestic wood commodities;
ii) materials that has already undergone processing and
iii)adjacent forested lands by no less than 30 meters
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*define as in Plant Quarantine 1981

• If the non-compliant WPM need to be disposed off by burying,:

i) It should be buried at a minimum depth of 3 meters below the surface of the ground, at a site where re-excavation of the material will not occur and
ii) wood must not be left exposed within the burial pit.

• If WPM condition is bad (example: heavily infested, rotten wood), the WPM will be destroyed or refused entry.

2)  With live regulated pest found

• Commodity shall be subjected to treatment at once if possible. If not, it should be returned to sender/country of origin or destruction of the WPM at the exporter's / importer's expenses.
• Non-compliance report shall be prepared by MAQIS to be submitted immediately to DOA for notification to the country of origin and a copy furnished to the importer.

NON - Agriculture Commodities

i) All exporters should declare, " this consigment contain wood packaging materials", by stamping on the manifest/invoice/packing list
ii) All importers should apply for inspection / clearance to Customs/Port Authority at least 24 hours prior to arrival of cargo for all commodities accompanied with WPM
iii) Upon arrival, WPM shall be subjected to inspection and clearance by MAQIS Officers or Import Officers*.
iv) All trans-shipment may be inspected/cleared at the final port of destination.
v) All WPM should have the required/approved marking. No other documentation is required for the release of WPM
vi) The following phytosanitary measures should be followed in the event of the following situations;

1) Without Approved Marking

• Commodity must be put on hold and shall be under guard by MAQIS Officers or Import Officers*;
• If the commodity with the WPM will not be affected by Methyl Bromide treatment, conduct treatment at once.
• If Methyl Bromide has affect on the commodity, necessary stripping of the commodity will be required.
• Any non-compliant WPM must at all times be stored in a closed container that is effective in ensuring that pests are not allow to enter the environment.
• Storage areas of non-compliant WPM must be:

i)  Isolated from other domestic wood commodities;
ii) materials that has already undergone processing and
iii)adjacent forested lands by no less than 30 meters.

• If the non-compliant WPM need to be disposed off by burying,:

i)  It should be buried at a minimum depth of 3 meters below surface of the ground, at a site where re-excavation of the material will not occur and
ii) Wood must not be left exposed within the burial pit.

• If WPM condition is bad (example: heavily infested by pest, rotten wood), the WPM will be destroyed or refused entry.

2) With live regulated pest found

• Commodity shall be subjected to treatment at once if possible. If not, it should be returned to sender/country of origin or destruction of the WPM at the exporter's/importer's expense.
• Non-compliance report shall be prepared by MAQIS to be submitted immediately to DOA for notification to the country of origin and a copy furnished to the importer.