USDA allows wooden handicrafts from China

   The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will amend its regulations to resume, under certain conditions, the import of wooden handicrafts from China.
   The final rule requires that all wooden handicrafts from China be treated with a heat treatment or a heat treatment with moisture reduction at an APHIS-approved facility, unless the handicrafts are less than 6 inches in diameter. Handicrafts that are less than 6 inches in diameter may be treated with heat treatment, heat treatment with moisture reduction, or methyl bromide fumigation.
   Shipments must also be accompanied by a specific APHIS permit and accompanied by an importer document or certificate. All shipping packages of wooden handicrafts must be labeled with a tag indentifying the product manufacturer. The identification tag will allow APHIS to track shipments after import into the United States.
   In addition, the final rule clarifies the definition of a “wooden handicraft” and amends the definition of “regulated article.” A wooden handicraft is defined as a commodity class of regulated articles derived or made from natural components of wood, twigs and vines, and including bamboo poles and garden stakes. Handicrafts include carvings, baskets, boxes, garden and lawn/patio furniture (rustic), potpourri, artificial trees (typically artificial ficus trees), garden fencing and edging, and other items composed of wood.
   The final rule amends the definition of regulated articles to include wood parts that are either unprocessed or have received only primary processing and are not feasibly separable from the other parts of the article. The final rule adds wooden handicrafts to the list of regulated articles.
   Between 2002 and 2005, APHIS issued more than 300 emergency action notices for pest interceptions on wooden handicrafts from China. In 2005, APHIS suspended the importation of most wooden handicrafts from China in order to conduct an evaluation of the pest risks associated with the importation of these items.
   Notice of this action was published in the March 1 Federal Register and becomes effective on April 30.