All

Country
Canada (CA)
Group
Timber
End use
Processing
NPPO Details
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, International Phytosanitary Standards Plant Import/Export Division
Relevant Web Addresses
www.inspection.gc.ca
Criteria Criteria Required?
Import Permit No
Phytosanitary Certificate Yes
Additional Declaration/Endorsement No
Protocol Market No
Consignments are to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds and extraneous material.


Consignments must be free from bark.

Phytosanitary certificate must be issued within 14 days prior to export to Canada.

The Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021, require an export licence issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for any exports of two tonnes or more of:

  • woodchips;
  • wood in the round (i.e. logs);
  • wood with a cross-sectional area of at least 225 square centimetres

These are considered 'prescribed goods' under the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021. 

A licence is not required for the above listed wood and woodchips if:
  • the wood or woodchips are sourced from an area covered by a Regional Forest Agreement (RFA). Details regarding the areas covered by RFAs can be found here: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/forestry/policies/rfa.
  • the wood or woodchips are derived from trees harvested outside Australian territory, including those transiting through Australia.
  • the wood or woodchips are sourced from a plantation in a State with an approved code of practice for the establishment, management and harvesting of all plantations in that State.

If an export licence is required, it is the responsibility of exporters to obtain a licence to export prescribed wood or woodchips prior to export.

Exporters can find information on how to obtain an export licence for prescribed wood or woodchips on the departments website - Exports of unprocessed wood and woodchips (wood export licensing) - DAFF.

Any enquires on what is classed as prescribed wood or woodchips should be directed to: wood.export@aff.gov.au, or call (02) 6272 4353.

The only responsibility authorised officers have in relation to the export licences for unprocessed wood is to inform unprocessed wood exporters of the possible requirement to hold a licence to export unprocessed wood.

Non-tropical species of sawn timber must be treated prior to export.

Option 1: Fumigation with Methyl bromide at:

  • 48 grm/m3 for 24 hours at minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius or above;

OR

  • 56 grm/m3 for 24 hours at minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius or above;

OR

  • 64 grm/m3 for 24 hours at minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius or above

Wood must be less than 200mm thick if fumigated

Option 2: Heat treatment

Heat treatment to attain a minimum core temperature of 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes

If Option 2 applied, the Phytosanitary certificate must be endorsed with the text:
Each piece of wood has attained a minimum temperature of 56 degrees Celsius throughout the profile of the wood (including at its core) for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Details of treatment to be endorsed on the Phytosanitary certificate in the treatment section.

The exporter is to provide evidence attesting to the treatment and present it to the Authorised Officer at the time of inspection.
ICR dated 11 January 2011
31/01/2025 - Updated general requirements due to legislation changes.
08/11/2021 - Updated general requirements due to legislation changes.
Initial Uploaded: 29/07/2014
Reviewed Uploaded: 18/07/2026