New French Requirements for Wooden Packaging Material Used for SPS Exports

Businesses exporting sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods to France should be aware of new French requirements relating to wooden packaging material (WPM) that came into force on 1 September 2026.

The measures appear to have been introduced by France's border inspection authority, the Service d'Inspection Vétérinaire et Phytosanitaire aux Frontières (SIVEP), following an outbreak of pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) in the Landes region.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission have contacted the French National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) to seek further clarification on the requirements.

What Has Changed?

Defra has advised that existing requirements for all wooden packaging material accompanying goods imported into France remain unchanged. Wooden packaging material must continue to be marked in accordance with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15), confirming that the material has been heat-treated or fumigated.

In addition, all wooden packaging material, including pallets, crates and similar packaging accompanying goods subject to SIVEP controls, will require a Common Health Entry Document for Plants and Plant Products (CHED-PP) notification through the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). This requirement is separate from any existing CHED pre-notification required for the commodity being exported.

The person responsible for the goods must complete the TRACES CHED-PP declaration for the wooden packaging and include the treatment plant numbers marked on the packaging.

For consignments of products of animal origin, Official Veterinarians should not be asked to certify wooden packaging requirements.

Which Goods Are Affected?

The requirements currently apply to goods that already require one of the following notifications:

CHED-A for live animals
CHED-D for feed and food of non-animal origin intended for animal feed
CHED-PP for plants and plant products
CHED-P for products of animal origin
Notification of Arrival (NoA)

Further Information

Defra is seeking further clarification from the French authorities on the scope of these requirements, including whether they apply to any additional categories of goods beyond those listed above.

Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.