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AQIS has long regulated imported timber packing (includes dunnage) and over time has approved a number of treatments. AQIS commenced accepting timber packing marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps on 1 September 2004. All AQIS approved treatments are outlined in the AQIS publication 'Cargo Containers: Quarantine aspects and procedures' and on the AQIS Import Conditions database ICON.

If timber packing (including dunnage) has been subjected to an ISPM 15 approved treatment, AQIS requires the timber packing to be marked with ISPM 15 compliant marks to be granted quarantine clearance without any further quarantine intervention.

NOTE: Timber packing marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps is considered acceptable under existing Australian compliance agreement arrangements such as the Containerised Cargo Clearance for FCL/X Scheme.

AQIS offers a number of clearance mechanisms for containerised consignments that have been treated offshore. These include clearance on the basis of a treatment certificate and/or a packing declaration. The full details of these clearance mechanisms can be found at on the AQIS Import Conditions database ICON.

Timber packing associated with containerised cargo can be granted quarantine clearance based on a packing declaration:

1. If ALL timber packing in a consignment is marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps, free of bark and no other quarantine concerns exist (e.g. the presence of straw, contamination etc.); OR
2. If ALL timber packing in a consignment is covered by treatment certification acceptable to AQIS, free of bark and no other quarantine concerns exist (e.g. the presence of straw, contamination etc.). This option is applicable regardless of whether any timber packing in the consignment is marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps.

If a packing declaration or treatment certification is unacceptable to AQIS, importers are offered alternative clearance procedures such as inspection, treatment, re-export or destruction. All alternative clearance procedures are conducted at the importers expense. However, from 1 January 2006, AQSI will begin phasing inspection alone as an option for granting quarantine clearances for containerised sea cargo consignments that contain timber packing and dunnage.

Timber packing eligible for quarantine clearance based on documentation alone will be subject to surveillance by AQIS to ensure compliance.

As of 1 January 2006 mandatory treatment of timber packing and dunnage will be required. However a non enforcement period will be in effect until 30 April 2006. During the non enforcement period importers will be notified of non compliance and only when packing is infested with insects or contaminated soil, bark, or other Quarantine risk material will it be sent for treatment. After 30 April 2006 all timber packing will be required to be compliant with ISPM 15, evidence of acceptable offshore treatment provided or the timber packing subject to onshore treatment, re-export or destruction.

For containerised sea cargo a packing declaration will continue to be used as a risk profiling tool and the means to determine wether or not ISPM 15 compliant wood packaging has been used.

Packers/suppliers of containerised cargo need to complete a Packing Declaration if an importer chooses to utilise the facilitated quarantine clearance system for timber packing associated with containerised cargo.

Examples of ISPM 15 FCL and LCL Packing Declarations (i.e. they cater for the use of timber packing marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps) are provided as Attachments to Import Industry Advice Notice 2003-2004 No. 19. Examples are also provided in Appendix VII of the AQIS publication 'Cargo Containers: Quarantine aspects and procedures'.

Appendix VII also provides examples of FCL and LCL Packing Declarations that have not been updated to cater for the use of timber packing marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps. AQIS will continue to accept these 'old format' Packing Declarations as some packers/suppliers of containerised cargo may prefer to not use ISPM 15 marked timber packing or may not have access to ISPM 15 marked timber packing. However, even if timber packing is not marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps, packers/suppliers may use either the 'old format' or the updated ISPM 15 Packing Declarations.

ISPM 15 Packing Declarations are only required if timber packing used within a containerised consignment is marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps and the importer elects for quarantine clearance of the packing based on documentation alone.