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

We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the regulations for the certification of softwood (coniferous) packing materials used with goods exported from the United States to China. Prior to the interim rule, the packing materials had to be certified as having been heat treated in the United States. The interim rule allowed certification of packing materials that were heat treated in Canada if that treatment was certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to meet requirements established by the Government of the People's Republic of China. The interim rule was necessary to facilitate the exportation of the large volume of U.S. goods shipped to China using Canadian-origin coniferous solid wood packing materials.