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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Importing goods
  5. Timber and bamboo packaging
  6. Bark on timber packaging and dunnage

Sidebar first - Import

  • Timber and bamboo packaging
    • Bark on timber packaging and dunnage
    • ISPM 15 for solid wood packaging

Bark on timber packaging and dunnage

​​​​​​​​The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources requires all solid timber packaging and dunnage to meet the bark requirements as defined in the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM15) – Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade.

This standard requires solid timber packaging and dunnage material to be free of bark, however does allow for a tolerance for small pieces of bark that have not been completely removed during milling.

Please note that the department maintains its bark freedom requirement for timber imported as a commodity. Only ingrown bark around knots and bark pockets between rings of annual growth are acceptable for commodity timber.

What is the bark tolerance on timber packaging and dunnage?

Visually separate and clearly distinct small pieces of bark may remain if they are:

  • Less than 3 cm in width (regardless of the length)

Graphic of A piece of bark not exceeding 3 cm in width regardless of its length is ISPM 15 compliant. 

OR

  • Greater than 3 cm in width, with the total surface area (length × width) of an individual piece of bark less than 50 square cm.
     Grapgic image of A piece of bark exceeding 3 cm in width and with a surface area (length ? width) over 50 square cm is non-compliant.

Note: This bark tolerance is applicable for timber packaging and dunnage that has been treated in accordance with ISPM 15 as well as being treated in a departmental approved method.

What happens if timber packaging and dunnage exceeds the bark tolerance?

Where bark on timber packaging and dunnage exceeds the bark tolerance limits of ISPM 15, one of the options below will be applied to the consignment to address bark related biosecurity risk:

  • Timber packaging or dunnage will be ordered for dry heat treatment, ethylene oxide fumigation or gamma irradiation; or​​
  • Timber packaging or dunnage will be ordered to have the bark removed at a site operating under an approved arrangement​. After the bark has been removed, the consignment will be inspected to verify that bark has been removed and that there is no biosecurity risk remaining, such as insects. The removed bark will be destroyed by a departmental approved method; or
  • Timber packaging or dunnage will be exported or destroyed.

Note: All options will be at the importer's expense.

For further information regarding the treatments of bark please refer to the Biosecurity Import conditions (BICON) system.

Examples of compliant bark tolerance on​ timber dunnage1

Photo of Wane on edge of board is not regulated 

Wane on edge of board is not regulated

Photo of Bark on edge of board is less than 3 cm wide and complies with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage 

Bark on edge of board is less than 3 cm wide and complies with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage

Photo of Bark on edge of board is less than 3 cm wide and complies with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage ​Bark on edge of board is less than 3 cm wide and complies with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage

Photo of - Bark piece is greater than 3 cm wide but is less than 50 square cm and complies with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage Bark on edge of board is less than 3 cm wide and complies with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage

Examples of non-compliant bar​k tolerance on timber dunnage1

Photo of Bark on the edge is wider than 3 cm and the piece is greater than 50 square cm and is not compliant with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage ​Bark on the edge is wider than 3 cm and the piece is greater than 50 square cm and is not compliant with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage

Photo of Bark exceeds tolerances (wider than 3 cm and the piece is greater than 50 square cm) and is not compliant with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage Bark exceeds tolerances (wider than 3 cm and the piece is greater than 50 square cm) and is not compliant with bark tolerances for wood packaging and dunnage

1 All photographs published with permission of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

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Last updated: 04 November 2019

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.