The Port of Charleston, SC released a notice on February 1, 2019, regarding the implementation of Title 19 Penalties for maritime shipments which contain non-compliant wood packaging material (NCWPM).
These penalties are effective immediately and in accordance with U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, and “all non-exempt wood packaging material (WPM) imported into the United States must be treated in accordance with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, No. 15 (ISPM 15), which requires all wood packaging materials (pallets, crates, dunnage, etc.) to be debarked and them heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and stamped or branded with a mark of compliance at places of origin, as outlined in ISPM 15, to ensure it is free of timber pests.”
The Title 19 Penalties will now be issued at the first violation and for each subsequent violation. Prior to this change, parties were generally allowed five violations in a calendar year prior to a penalty being assessed, and this was reset annually. For more information, please see the full version of this notice.