Export Certification; Canadian Solid Wood Packing Materials Exported From the United States to China

We are amending the export certification regulations for the certification of softwood (coniferous) packing materials used with goods exported from the United States to China. Prior to this interim rule, the packing materials had to be certified as having been heat treated in the United States. We are allowing certification of packing materials that were heat treated in Canada if that treatment is certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to meet requirements established by the Government of the People's Republic of China. This change is necessary to facilitate the exportation to China of the large volume of United States goods that is shipped using Canadian-origin coniferous solid wood packing materials. This change will affect persons who use coniferous solid wood packing materials to export goods from the United States to the People's Republic of China.