The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reminds stakeholders that the temporary suspension of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15) hyphen requirement will end on December 31st, 2025. ISPM-15 hyphen requirement is a component of the international standard that mandates a hyphen to separate the country code from the facility code in the compliance mark.

Beginning January 1st, 2026, all Wood Packaging Material (WPM) must fully comply with the ISPM-15 hyphen.

Message from APHIS to the Trade

APHIS and CBP are working closely together to support a smooth transition and minimize disruptions for stakeholders. Both agencies have made significant efforts to ensure the trade community is well-informed. Initial notifications were issued in March, and since November, we’ve continued outreach through multiple stakeholder announcements, Trade Issue Notices (TINs), and posts on social media platforms including Facebook and X. These communications are part of a coordinated effort to provide clarity and ample time for industry partners to prepare for the enforcement restart.

Once enforcement resumes, the following actions may apply to non-compliant shipments:

• Cargo may be held at the port of arrival. Depending on port operations and capacity, separation of the WPM from the cargo may be offered, allowing the WPM to be exported while the cargo is retained.
• Re-export may be required. If separation is not feasible or corrective action is unavailable, the shipment may be refused entry and require full re-export.
• Penalties may be assessed. CBP may assess penalties under Title 19, depending on the nature of the violation.
• Reconditioning options. If a compliance company becomes operational for Shredder/Hammermiller, that could provide a viable reconditioning pathway. However, at this time, companies are still in the process of sourcing the necessary equipment, and no compliance agreements have been issued.

For shipments currently en-route (with noncompliant WPM), but that will not arrive in the US prior to December 31st, importers have two options:

1. Divert the shipment to another country where the WPM can be reconditioned to meet compliance standards.
2. Self-report the noncompliance to APHIS and CBP and initiate the process in advance. This proactive approach may help expedite handling upon arrival. 

APHIS appreciates your partnership in protecting plant health and supporting safe, efficient trade. For questions or to share information on shipment volumes, please contact our Plant Health office at aphis.planthealth@usda.gov or call 844-820-2234 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET).

Please reach out to your RIM representative if you have any further questions.