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Many countries have implemented systems to accept ISPM 15 compliant imports. However, this does not necessarily mean that these countries also have ISPM 15 programs in place for their exports.

Countries are not obliged to advise trading partners of their ISPM 15 export readiness so it is difficult to determine the ISPM 15 export readiness of various countries. However, the information that the Australian AQIS has obtained from the Internet is available at International Implementation of ISPM 15. Alternatively, the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of the exporting country. NPPO contacts for each country are available on the International Phytosanitary Portal.

Yes, but do no forget that Australia also requires all timber packing (including dunnage), whether marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps or not, to be free of bark.

Bark has the potential to contain numerous pathogens of quarantine concern. It also acts as a shelter site for insect pests and encourages post treatment infestation by both insect and pathogen pests. The presence of bark also hampers inspection procedures and may reduce the effectiveness of methyl bromide fumigation. For these reasons, AQIS requires imported timber packing to be free of bark.

No. The ISPM 15 import option is one of a number of import options offered by AQIS for timber packing. Importers are able to choose the import option that best suits their business needs.

With the exception of clearance on the basis of inspections alone, import options for timber packing that were in place prior to 1 January 2006 continue to be available to ensure continued market access to Australia for countries that have not implemented ISPM 15 programs for their exports.

Neither of the ISPM 15 approved measures over permanent protection against post-treatment infestation of timber packing by timber and non-timber pests. The treatments only control pests present at the time of treatment.

Australia's interception records demonstrate that post treatment infestation of solid timber packing is an important quarantine issue. Australia will be pursuing these quarantine concerns in the appropriate international forums. To ensure that the risks of post treatment infestation by both timber and non timber pests is minimised AQIS has developed a range of quality assurance and verification mechanisms which vary with the mode of transport. These involve verification inspections, surveillance regimes and unpacking of containerised cargo at specially approved quarantine approve premises and freedom from bark to minimise hitch hiker risks and ensure effective verification inspection.

AQIS is undertaking additional surveillance of imported timber packing to monitor the implementation of ISPM 15 and assess whether or not ISPM 15 is addressing Australia's quarantine concerns.

Yes. Whilst AQIS accepts timber packing marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps from all countries including GAS countries, AQIS import requirements that address Giant African Snail (GAS) risk remain unchanged. This is because ISPM 15 treatments only address quarantine concerns that are present at the time of treatment, not the risks of post treatment infestation or 'hitch-hiker' pests (pests not associated with particular commodities). As GAS is a 'hitch-hiker' pest, ISPM 15 treatments do not address AQIS concerns and AQIS import requirements that address Giant African Snail (GAS) risk remain unchanged.

Whether or not the 21 day rule applies depends on the circumstances:

• Yes, if none of the timber packing (includes dunnage) in a consignment is marked with ISPM 15 compliant marks and the timber packing material has been treated offshore. Import conditions require treatment to be applied within 21 days of containerisation or shipping (this is extended to 3 months for certain countries).
• Yes, if some of the timber packing in a consignment is marked with ISPM 15 compliant marks and some is not marked with ISPM 15 compliant marks a packing declaration and other evidence of treatment is required and the '21 day rule' as described above applies to the entire consignment.
• No. If all timber packing in a container is marked with ISPM 15 compliant stamps, the '21 day rule' does not apply.

NOTE: In all other circumstances timber packing will be subject to a verification inspection and if and untreated timber packing is detected it will be sent to AQIS is currently reviewing the '21 day rule' requirement.

Yes. AQIS is conducting surveillance on imported timber packing as part of Australia's performance assessment of ISPM 15. As ISPM 15 is under technical review, the performance assessment of ISPM 15 will contribute to Australia's input into the technical review of this standard by the International Forestry Quarantine Research Group.

As is the case now consignments that contain untreated timber packing and no other quarantine concerns may be transported to a Quarantine Approved Premise and the goods separated from the timber packing to allow clearance. From 1 January 2006 the timber packing will nominally be subject to treatment, re-export or destruction at the importers expense.