Timber inspection and wood chip fumigation
The Plant Health Program provides inspection and testing services of untreated timber and wood products for export. Untreated timber is defined as timber or wood products that have not been treated sufficiently to eliminate pests or pathogens of concern to the importing country.
Untreated timber products include, but are not limited to the following:
- Logs
- Wood chips
- Wood crates
- Green lumber
The program also provides oversight of the fumigation treatments of wood chips for export. With official inspection, these untreated timber and wood products are eligible for Federal Phytosanitary Certificates which are often required for export.
What services are provided?
Field inspection
Inspections are based upon the requirements of the importing country. In most cases, the inspection is a visual survey for the evidence of pests or pathogens of concern, such as bark beetles, wood decay, rot fungi, etc.
Pine wood nematode testing (required for exports to China only)
For conifer exports to China, testing for pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is mandatory. In addition to the visual inspection described above, the wood product is drilled and shavings are collected. The shavings are returned to the lab for testing.
Wood chip fumigation
Applicants must fumigate according to the requirements of the importing country.
An inspector will witness the set-up of an example of how the fumigation will be carried out. This example should be representative of the full scale fumigation operation that will be carried out on the vessel while in transit to its final destination.
How do I request an inspection?
What are the fees for inspection and testing services?
Fees are set forth by OAR 603-053-0200 and USDA.
- $35 PCIT System application fee
- $6 USDA administration fee
- $280 Nematode testing fee for wood chips
- $60/hour inspection fee (total time traveled and time for inspection)
- $0.545 per mile (total distance traveled by inspector)
Resources
Phytosanitary Export Database (PExD)
This database includes the protocol for the inspection and sampling of pinewood nematode.
Go to: Country > China > Commodity: Pinus or Pseudotsuga logs. Phytosanitary Export Database online