United States:

Import/Export Regulations for Wooden Packaging Material
(e.g., pallets, crates, boxes, and dunnage)
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/hot_issues/wood_packing.shtml


Mexico:

To access the NOM-144 report below for download:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200410/146117808.pdf

Mexico Announces Implementation Modification (phase-in action) for NOM Wood Packaging Materials (NOM-144-SEMARNAT-2004)

On September 15, 2005, the Mexican Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) published in the Diario Oficial (Mexico's "Federal Register") that the Mexican regulation developed to comply with ISPM 15 will be implemented partially starting September 16, 2005. During this initial stage of the implementation Mexican officials will carry on a random ocular inspection to verify that WPM comply with ISPM 15. On September 16th Mexican inspectors will carry on the ocular inspection procedure established under section No. 5 and section No. 6.6 of NOM 144. Sections No. 5 and No. 6.6 refer to the guidelines for ocular inspection.

• Sections No. 5, 5.1 and 5.2 refer to the ocular inspection. In these sections it is stated that officials have to carry on a random and free of charge visual check to
verify that the WPM is marked in accordance with NOM 144 / ISPM 15. If WPM presents the authorized mark and if there is no evidence of infestation then the officials will allow the shipment to continue into Mexico.

• Sections 6.6, 6.6.1 and 6.6.2 refer to the ocular inspection and to the mechanism by which a shipment is selected for inspection. Officials will determine which shipments are subject to ocular inspection based on customs automated selection mechanism (red light – green light). Based on the red light – green light system, the official will then make a random selection from shipments that got a red light. The official has to verify that the WPM presents the mark in accordance with NOM 144. For merchandise transported in containers, officials should look for the mark on WPM that is readily visible at the moment the container is opened. If the official does not detect the mark on the visible WPM then he will request that the merchandise be unloaded in order to look for the mark on the remaining WPM. Continuing with the implementation of NOM 144, on February 01, 2006 the Mexican government will implement the stage in which NOM 144 requires that WPM arriving to Mexican entry points without the approved treatment identity mark must:

A. Prior to entry into Mexico, apply one of the authorized phytosanitary treatments to the packaging material and apply the certification mark.

B. Substitute with packaging material that complies with the current regulation or use non-wood packaging material and return all non-compliant materials to the exporting country. In this case a PROFEPA official must be present to verify that approved procedures are followed. The afore mentioned measures are stated on sections 5.3 and 6.6.3 of NOM 144.

Mexico Organization Links:

PROFEPA
http://www.profepa.gob.mx

SEMARNAT
http://www.semarnat.gob.mx

NAPPO
http://www.nappo.org