Wooden Frame Regulations in the United States: A Comprehensive Look
In the United States, regulations concerning wooden frames, especially those used for packaging and shipping, are quite stringent. When it comes to raw wood frames, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has clear guidelines. Raw wood pallets, crates, and frames that are used to support or brace cargo during international trade must be treated to prevent the introduction of insects harmful to U.S. agriculture and forests.
The International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15) is widely adopted. This standard requires that regulated wood packaging materials (WPM), which can include wooden frames, be either heat treated to a minimum wood core temperature of 56 °C / 133 °F for a minimum of 30 minutes or fumigated with methyl bromide. Once treated, the WPM must be marked with the approved International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo in a visible location, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article. The mark should be legible and permanent, containing information such as the ISO country code for the treating country, a unique number assigned to the producer, and an abbreviation indicating the treatment type (HT for heat treatment or MB for methyl bromide).
However, there are exemptions. Manufactured wood products like plywood, which is often used in 三合木架 (plywood frames), are not subject to the same strict treatment requirements as raw wood. Plywood is made by bonding together thin layers of wood veneer with adhesives. Since this manufacturing process involves heat and pressure, it is considered to have a lower risk of harboring pests. As a result, plywood frames can be used in international trade without the need for the same type of fumigation or heat treatment as raw wood frames, making them a popular choice for many importers and exporters in the U.S. market.