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The 'Bug Stamp'

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) set up import regulations for wood packaging materials (WPM) that was posted in the Federal Register September 16, 2004. Enforcement was to start September 16, 2005, with full enforcement starting February 1, 2006. The European Union, Australia and most of South America have also adopted these standards. There are 55 countries participating in the program with more to join as global pressure is applied.

The regulation requires regulated WPM used in international trade to be treated to kill harmful insects that may be present. WPM must be marked with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo. Paper treatment certificates will no longer be required or accepted. Air Trays, Combination Trays and Overseas Shippers are considered to be Wood Packaging Materials (WPM). Below is an example of the International Logo:

This is not an Airline regulation, but rather an USDA and APHIS regulation:

The regulation restricts the export and import of many types of wood articles, including wooden packaging such as pallets, crates, boxes, and pieces of wood used to support or brace cargo. Effective September 16, 2005 the US regulation allowed non-compliant regulated WPM to be reexported or sent back to its shipping origin. Regulated WPM does not include any manufactured items, such as worked wood items. Wooden Caskets are considered worked wood items.

What does all this mean?

When the regulation for WPM is enforced to its fullest it means that human remains shipment sent to one of the participating countries in any shipping container that does not carry the international stamp will be refused and sent back to the sender. 

Funeral Homes and Shipping Companies doing International shipments must be aware of this new regulation and require their shipping trays to be stamped with the IPPC mark.

Custom Air Trays has been diligent in researching this matter for you and we now have Air Trays, Combination Trays and Overseas Shippers treated, stamped and ready for same day shipment to you! 
Call 1.800.992.1925 to order today!

Countries currently requiring the Bug Stamp:

To Learn More:

www.aphis.usda.gov click on Importing then Wood Packaging Material

www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/wpm/7-29-05wpmEnforcement.pdf

www.ippc.int - Official web site for the International Plant Protection Convention.