GAC Strengthens Wood Packaging Inspection – New ISPM 15 Compliance Checks at All Major Ports | 2026 China Import

The General Administration of Customs of China (GAC) has significantly strengthened inspections of wood packaging materials at all major ports, effective July 1, 2026. The new enforcement regime targets non‑compliant wood packaging – including pallets, crates, dunnage, and spools – that fail to meet ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) requirements. Inspection rates for high‑risk shipments (e.g., from countries with known pest infestations) have increased to 30‑50%. Fines for repeat violations have doubled to RMB 50,000 per shipment, and non‑compliant packaging may be ordered destroyed or returned at the importer‘s expense. This guide explains the ISPM 15 requirements, inspection procedures, and practical steps for compliance.

1. ISPM 15 Requirements – What Wood Packaging Must Have

Under ISPM 15, all wood packaging materials entering China must meet specific treatment and marking requirements:

• Approved treatments: Heat treatment (HT) – wood center temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes; or methyl bromide fumigation (MB) – gradually being phased out, accepted only for certain countries.
• IPPC stamp: The stamp must be legible, permanent, and include: the IPPC symbol (wheat ear), country code (e.g., CN for China, US for USA), treatment code (HT or MB), and unique registration number of the treatment provider.
• No bark or visible pest damage: Wood packaging must be free of bark and any signs of pest infestation (holes, tunnels, sawdust).
• No untreated raw wood: All wood packaging must be treated; untreated raw wood is prohibited.

Packaging that is missing the IPPC stamp, has an illegible stamp, or shows evidence of pest infestation will be rejected.

2. Inspection Rates – Increased at All Major Ports

GAC has deployed additional inspectors and X‑ray scanners specifically for wood packaging inspection. Inspection rates vary by risk level:

• Low‑risk countries (e.g., EU, US, Canada, Japan, South Korea): 5‑10% random inspection.
• Medium‑risk countries (e.g., Southeast Asia, India, Brazil): 15‑25% inspection.
• High‑risk countries (with known pest outbreaks): 30‑50% inspection.
• First‑time importers or prior violators: 50‑75% inspection for 12 months.
• Repeat violators (two or more violations in 12 months): 100% inspection for 2 years.

Targeted ports include Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Qingdao, Xiamen, and Guangzhou – which together handle over 80% of China‘s containerized imports.

3. Common Non-Compliance Issues – What Gets Rejected

Based on GAC enforcement data, the most common wood packaging violations are:

• Missing IPPC stamp (45% of rejections): No stamp, or stamp missing required elements (country code, treatment code).
• Illegible or damaged stamp (25%): Stamp faded, painted over, or obscured by labels.
• Bark present (15%): Visible bark on wood packaging, especially on pallet edges.
• Pest damage (10%): Holes, tunnels, or sawdust indicating live pests.
• Untreated raw wood (5%): No evidence of heat treatment or fumigation.

When non‑compliance is found, customs will issue a “Notice of Violation” and order the packaging to be either: treated in China (heat treatment or fumigation at importer‘s expense), destroyed, or re‑exported. Treatment in China costs approximately RMB 500‑1,500 per pallet and takes 3‑5 days.

4. Penalties – Fines Doubled for Repeat Violations

Under the revised Quarantine Law Implementation Regulations (effective June 1, 2026), penalties for wood packaging violations have increased:

• First violation: RMB 10,000 – RMB 30,000 fine + mandatory treatment or destruction of non‑compliant packaging.
• Second violation (within 12 months): RMB 30,000 – RMB 50,000 fine + 100% inspection for 12 months.
• Third or subsequent violation: RMB 50,000 – RMB 100,000 fine + 100% inspection for 24 months + possible suspension of import license.
• Intentional falsification of IPPC stamps: Criminal liability (up to 3 years imprisonment).

Fines are assessed per shipment, not per container. A single shipment with multiple non‑compliant pallets is treated as one violation.

5. Documentation Requirements – What to Keep on File

While wood packaging compliance is verified primarily by physical inspection, importers should maintain the following documentation for customs review:

• IPPC stamp certificate (from the packaging supplier): Evidence that the treatment provider is registered with the exporting country‘s plant protection organization.
• Treatment certificate (for fumigation): For methyl bromide fumigation, a certificate issued by the exporting country‘s quarantine authority.
• Supplier declaration: Statement that wood packaging complies with ISPM 15 and that no untreated raw wood or bark is present.
• Photos of IPPC stamps (recommended): Pre‑shipment photos showing legible stamps on all wood packaging units.

These documents are not required for each shipment but should be retained for 2 years in case of post‑clearance audit.

6. Practical Compliance Roadmap for Importers

To avoid wood packaging detention and fines, importers should follow this six‑step roadmap:

1. Require IPPC‑compliant packaging from suppliers (Immediate). Include ISPM 15 compliance clauses in purchase contracts. Specify that wood packaging must bear a legible IPPC stamp and be free of bark and pests.
2. Verify supplier stamps (Before shipping). Request photos of IPPC stamps on the actual packaging to be used. Verify that the stamp includes country code, treatment code (HT or MB), and registration number.
3. Reject non‑compliant packaging before shipment (If possible). If a supplier sends photos of packaging without stamps or with bark, request replacement before shipping.
4. Conduct pre‑shipment inspection (Recommended). Use a third‑party inspection service at the loading port to verify ISPM 15 compliance before container stuffing.
5. Document packaging compliance (Ongoing). Keep photos of IPPC stamps and supplier declarations for each shipment. Retain for 2 years.
6. Work with a customs broker experienced in wood packaging (Ongoing). Choose a broker who pre‑screens wood packaging documentation and can coordinate with customs if a shipment is flagged.

Summary: GAC has strengthened wood packaging inspections at all major ports, with inspection rates for high‑risk shipments increasing to 30‑50%. Non‑compliant packaging – missing IPPC stamp, illegible stamp, bark presence, or pest damage – results in fines up to RMB 100,000 for repeat violations, plus mandatory treatment or destruction at the importer‘s expense. Common violations include missing IPPC stamp (45%), illegible stamp (25%), and bark presence (15%). First‑time fines range from RMB 10,000‑30,000; repeat violations double to RMB 50,000+ and trigger 100% inspection for 2 years. To avoid detention, importers should require ISPM 15‑compliant packaging from suppliers, verify IPPC stamps before shipping, conduct pre‑shipment inspections, and retain documentation for 2 years. By following the compliance roadmap, importers can minimize inspection risk and avoid costly fines and delays.