US crackdown on Contaminated Cargo Packing

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are tightening enforcement on pest-contaminated wood packaging materials (WPM), and exporters need to act now to protect their US customers from serious cost and compliance consequences.

Wood packaging — including pallets, crates, cases, bracing and dunnage — is under heightened scrutiny by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Even packaging stamped as ISPM 15-compliant has been found harbouring live pests on arrival. When this happens, the shipment is immediately deemed non-compliant, regardless of markings or documentation.

CBP is issuing more Agriculture Emergency Action Notifications than ever, with 16,000 linked to pests in or on cargo packaging in the last fiscal year. The repercussions for the US importer can be severe: fines, fumigation charges, storage and demurrage, delays running into days or weeks, and in many cases, complete re-exportation of the shipment at their cost.

For UK exporters, these incidents damage relationships, increase financial exposure, and undermine service reliability, even when the root cause lies with 3rd party packing practices or inadequate controls.

How exporters can protect their US customers

1. Strengthen packaging controls at origin

Ensure all wooden packaging used by you or your suppliers is genuinely ISPM 15-compliant, properly heat-treated and sourced from reputable providers. Do not rely solely on the presence of a stamp.

2. Demand verifiable treatment documentation

Request and retain evidence of the treatment process and require your suppliers to do the same. Documentation helps protect both you and your US customer during any inspection.

3. Audit overseas packing facilities

If cargo is packed or consolidated outside the UK, implement structured audits. Check for proper material storage, pest-control measures, and avoidance of grassed or exposed surfaces during staging.

4. Avoid mixed-material or old pallet stock

Reused pallets or “mixed batch” wooden packaging dramatically increase risk. Use fresh, certified, traceable WPM wherever possible.

5. Build pre-shipment checks into your workflow

Integrate visual pest inspections and packaging verification before loading. This can be done internally or through your logistics partner.

6. Communicate risks clearly to your US customers

Make sure your US buyers understand the regulatory landscape, potential consequences, and the preventative steps you are taking on their behalf.

7. Document everything

If an incident occurs, clear records of packaging sourcing, treatment, and checks at origin will be essential for supporting your customer and mitigating cost exposure.

Noatum Logistics supports UK exporters with end-to-end risk management across packing, compliance and US customs requirements.

We work directly with your suppliers to ensure correct ISPM 15 processes, verify documentation, and prevent avoidable supply-chain disruption for your US customers.

If you ship to the United States and want to reduce compliance risk, protect customer relationships, and ensure your cargo clears smoothly speak to Noatum Logistics today.

Our team is committed to safeguarding your shipments and your reputation.