Documentation
Packing Declaration
A statement confirming whether a consignment contains timber or other regulated packing materials, required by biosecurity authorities in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
In depth
Countries with strict biosecurity regimes require importers to declare the packing materials used, because untreated timber pallets and dunnage can carry pests. The declaration states whether timber packaging is present and, if so, that it has been treated and marked to the ISPM 15 standard. Getting it wrong is expensive: cargo can be held, ordered to be fumigated at the importer's cost, or in serious cases re-exported. The declaration is separate from the packing list and is usually required before arrival rather than at clearance.
Key points
- Declares whether regulated timber packing materials are present
- Required by biosecurity regimes such as Australia and New Zealand
- Timber packaging must be ISPM 15 treated and marked
- Errors lead to holds, fumigation at cost, or re-export