HT Update 3/31/2009

Canada and the U.S. continue to maintain a mutual exemption across their borders, citing common forestry practices as the reason.  However this may be coming to an end in the very near future.  Mexico is NOT included in this agreement.  The United States started their HT notification for hardwood on January 2, 2004.   Keep in mind that this in no way directly affects U.S. companies.  The effect is the expected backlash of enforcement from other countries in response to the U.S. implementation.

What does this mean for our customers?

You must prepare...

• Some of our customers have stated that their products do not travel "over seas" so they are not concerned about the ramifications of these changes.  After following the chain of product transfer, many are surprised what they discover.

Consider a product that is produced at you facility is shipped to a warehousing and distribution center in Dallas, TX.  Simply stated, none of the pallets are required to be heat treated for your shipments.  So you're in the clear, right?  Not necessarily.  If your customer, or any of their customers, ship the pallet or crate outside of the country it MUST be heat treated.  Think of this as a trickle down requirement.  The company that originally puts the product on the pallet, will ultimately be responsible for making sure it is heat treated.

• Another common response is that there will only be a small percentage of product shipped internationally and packaging will just be separated based on final shipping location.  Unfortunately, the logistics involved in this theory do not accommodate such a feat. 

Consider again, the distribution center in Dallas, TX.  Like most warehouses, there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of different items located under one roof.  The warehouse supervisor must keep two inventories of the same product for most, and maybe even all of the items in storage just in case he must send product into the northern part of Mexico.  The space needed and the time and effort to inventory, based on packaging, would be astounding.  We foresee large storage facilities requiring only HT packaging inside their doors.  The risk alone of a shipment getting rejected at the border is enough to force this issue.

• Trucking companies now using the glut of rebuilt, reused, and most definitely abused 48 x 40's for exchange will be turned away, or charged for the HT packaging they haul out.  Questions have been raised about pallet exchange companies as well.  We of course are not involved with pallet leasing system so we cannot speak for their response to the new HT standards.  But, it is important to note that even though most of their pallets are built of HT stamped southern yellow pine, they are not approved for international shipment until they are put through a monitored process and stamped with their inspection registration number.

Our Response

At Neosho Box and Wood, we are currently running our very own on-site heat treating system.  We  selected a well respected kiln contractor with over 50 years in the wood heating business to build a state of the art, highly efficient kiln style HT unit.  Our goal is to provide the services required with the least inconvenience and expense as possible.  The current rate for certification of a standard GMA is approximately  $ 1.10 per pallet.  We will do everything possible to keep those costs to a minimum.  We are ready to supply all of your HT needs with this highly efficient sterilizing chamber.  Current customers---Please let us know if you will be needing this service!!!  We will take care of long standing customers BEFORE anyone else.

Please also check this, and the sites listed below, frequently for the latest news on the HT Initiative.

APHIS

National Wooden Pallet Container Association

Missouri Forest Products Association