September 1, 2026
AGI News
What importers, exporters and freight forwarders need to know
If you regularly import goods into the European Union using wooden pallets, crates, dunnage or other solid wood packaging, there is an important change to the SIVEP import control process coming into effect on 1 September 2026.
From this date, information relating to qualifying wood packaging accompanying imported goods will need to be declared in advance through the applicable SIVEP/ TRACES process.
For businesses moving goods between the UK and the EU, this is an important change to be aware of, particularly for shipments entering France.
What is SIVEP?
SIVEP is France’s Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Service.
It is responsible for veterinary and phytosanitary controls on imports from countries outside the European Union. SIVEP controls can include documentary checks, identity checks and physical inspections at designated Border Control Posts.
Wood packaging is an important part of these controls because untreated or incorrectly treated wood can provide a pathway for pests and diseases to enter the EU.
EU rules already require regulated wood packaging material and dunnage arriving from non-EU countries to meet ISPM 15 requirements, including appropriate treatment, debarking and the required official mark. The change from 1 September 2026 adds an important information and declaration requirement to the process.
What is changing from 1 September?
Under the new SIVEP procedure, relevant wood packaging information must be provided in advance, rather than relying solely on inspectors identifying and checking the packaging when the shipment reaches the border. The new procedure requires the relevant information to be entered into TRACES as part of the applicable CHED process, meaning information about the wood packaging needs to be obtained before the shipment reaches the border.
Before 1 September 2026
Under the previous approach:
- SIVEP inspectors could identify and inspect wood packaging during border controls.
- Greater reliance was placed on physical inspection to establish whether regulated wood packaging was present.
- Details concerning the packaging could be established during the control process.
From 1 September 2026
Under the new procedure:
- Relevant wood packaging information must be declared in advance through the applicable SIVEP/TRACES process.
- The authorities will have information about the wood packaging before the physical inspection.
- The information provided can then be checked against the actual packaging accompanying the shipment.
- The operator responsible for the declaration must ensure that the information supplied is accurate.
In simple terms, the information gathering needs to happen earlier in the supply chain.
What wood packaging is affected?
The new requirements are aimed at regulated raw or solid wood packaging material.
This can include:
- Wooden pallets
- Wooden crates and cases
- Wooden dunnage or packing material
- Wooden wedges and blocks
- Other qualifying raw wood packaging
Current guidance on the new SIVEP procedure identifies raw wood packaging over 6 mm thick as being within the scope of the new declaration requirement. It is important to distinguish this from products made entirely from processed wood. Under the existing EU wood-packaging rules, certain processed wood products such as plywood, oriented strand board and veneer are excluded from the wood-packaging requirements. Wood 6 mm thick or less is also excluded from the existing EU requirements.
If you are unsure whether a particular type of packaging falls within the requirements, it is advisable to check before the shipment is dispatched.
What information may be required?
The information required for the new declaration includes details about the wood packaging accompanying the shipment.
Current guidance indicates that this can include:
- The type of wood packaging.
- The number of pieces or items of packaging.
- The relevant weight.
- The country of dispatch/origin of the packaging.
- Information relating to the applicable ISPM 15 treatment and marking.
- Other information required as part of the TRACES declaration.
ISPM 15 compliance is still essential
It is important to understand that the new declaration requirement does not replace the existing ISPM 15 requirements. EU rules require regulated wood packaging material and dunnage arriving from non-EU countries to be appropriately treated, debarked and marked with the official ISPM 15 mark. The ISPM 15 mark provides evidence that the wood has undergone the required phytosanitary treatment.
The new SIVEP process means that the relevant information about the packaging will also need to be provided in advance. In other words: ISPM 15 compliance + accurate advance declaration = important parts of the new process.
Make sure the ISPM 15 mark is visible
There is also an important practical consideration when loading the vehicle.
Current guidance relating to the new procedure recommends arranging the load so that the markings on the wood packaging are visible and accessible when the vehicle is opened.
This makes it easier for SIVEP officials to check the physical packaging against the information provided in the declaration. Where possible, exporters and loading teams should therefore avoid positioning pallets or other wooden packaging in a way that completely hides the relevant markings.
What does this mean for UK–EU shipments?
For businesses exporting from the UK into the EU, the change means that wood packaging needs to become part of the pre-shipment information process.
Previously, a business might simply have confirmed that its pallets were ISPM 15 compliant.
Going forward, good communication between the exporter, importer, freight forwarder and customs or SIVEP representative is particularly important.
What should you do now?
If you regularly ship goods to the EU using wooden packaging, we recommend taking the following steps before 1 September 2026:
- Check your packaging
- Check the ISPM 15 mark
- Record your packaging information
- Provide the information to your freight forwarder
If AGI Global Logistics is handling your shipment, please provide the relevant information to us before the shipment reaches the border. The earlier we have the information, the more effectively we can incorporate it into the relevant import and SIVEP procedures.
SIVEP controls are designed to verify the information provided against the physical consignment – if the information supplied does not match the shipment, or the wood packaging does not comply with the applicable phytosanitary requirements, this can result in additional intervention at the border.
If you’re unsure whether your shipment is affected by the new requirements, speak to the AGI Global Logistics team before your goods are dispatched – we’re here to help!