Brazil: New Wood Packaging Declaration Imminent

From 1 February 2016, the Brazilian Port Authorities and MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply), require all shippers to provide a declaration of all wooden packing for cargoes to be loaded, discharged or trans-shipped in Brazil.

The Declaration must follow the below format:

• Wooden Packing: Processed Wood;
• Wooden Packing: Treated and Certified (the materials have been treated and/or fumigated and include a Certificate);
• Wooden Packing: Not Treated and not Certified (the materials have not been treated nor fumigated and do not include a Certificate);
• Wooden Packing: Not Applicable (when packing material is not wooden).

The materials where declarations are mandatory are:

• Boxes, crates, cages, cable drums and spool/reels;
• Pallets, platforms, packing cases, dunnage, shores, wedges and battens;
• Reused, repaired or remanufactured wood packaging material

The materials where declarations are exempt are:

• Wood packaging material made entirely from wood of 6mm or less in thickness;
• Wood packaging material made wholly of processed wood material, such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or veneer that has been created using glue, heat or pressure, or a combination thereof;
• Barrels for wine and spirit that have been heated during manufacture;
• Gift boxes for wine, cigars and other commodities made from wood that has been processed and/or manufactured in a way that renders it free of pests;
• Sawdust, wood shavings and wood wool when used as packaging material;
• Wood components permanently attached to freight vehicles and containers; and
• Consignments of wood (timber/lumber) which is supported by dunnage that is constructed from wood of the same type and quality that meets the same phytosanitary requirements as the wood in the consignment, because the dunnage may be considered as part of the consignment and may not be considered as wood packaging material.

Carriers will reportedly be held accountable for non-compliance with the above regulations and a breach or failure to comply with the declaration requirements may result in large fines being imposed. Members trading to Brazil should liaise with their local agents to ensure that declarations are completed.