DEFRA has announced some changes introduced by the French authorities, in relation to new controls on wooden packaging material (WPM) used with SPS goods from 1 September 2026.
Below is the official DEFRA announcement for further guidance:
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) has recently become aware of new French requirements relating to wooden packaging material (WPM) accompanying imports of sanitary and phytosanitary goods (SPS goods) to France, which are due to apply from Tuesday 1 September 2026.
The measures appear to be national controls introduced by Service d’Inspection Vétérinaire et Phytosanitaire aux Frontières (SIVEP) in response to an outbreak of pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) in the Landes region.
Due to this outbreak, checks on wood packaging material from third countries have been significantly strengthened by France. DEFRA and colleagues within the Forestry Commission have contacted the French National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), to seek further clarification on the requirements.
Based on the information currently available:
- existing requirements for all wooden packaging material (WPM) used for goods imported into France remain unchanged. WPM must continue to be marked in accordance with ISPM 15 standards, confirming that the material has been heat treated or fumigated. Any WPM currently being used to export relevant goods to France should already comply with these requirements
- the key change is that all wooden packaging (including pallets, crates and similar packaging) accompanying goods subject to SIVEP controls will require a CHED PP notification through TRACES, alongside the existing ISPM 15 marking requirements. This is in addition to any existing CHED pre-notification required for the commodity being exported
- the requirement is for the person responsible for the goods to make the TRACES CHED-PP declaration for the wooden packaging and include the separate treatment plant numbers marked on the wooden packaging
- for consignments of animal origin products, Official Veterinarians should not be asked to certify wooden packaging requirements
What is meant by goods subject to SIVEP controls?
This currently includes goods that already require one of the following notifications:
- CHED-A (Live Animals)
- CHED-D (Feed and food of non-animal origin intended for animal feed)
- CHED-PP (plants and plant products)
- CHED-P (Products of Animal Origin)
- NoA (Notification of Arrival)
Further information
DEFRA are currently seeking further information on the scope of these requirements, including whether they apply to any additional categories of goods beyond those listed above. DEFRA will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
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