OTTAWA — New import requirements for all Canadian firewood, including spruce logs, have been applied at all Canada-United States points of entry.

Failure to comply with these new requirements may result in shipments being rejected at the border, says Canada Border Services.
The new United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements are to prevent invasive forest pests, such as the brown spruce longhorn beetle, from entering the U.S.

All softwood (coniferous) firewood from Canada and spruce logs from Nova Scotia must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes.

The heat treatment requirement for hardwood (non-coniferous) firewood has changed. The former core temperature requirement of 71.1°C for 75 minutes has been reduced to 60°C for 60 minutes.

As well, A document titled "Heat Treatment Certificate Using a Kiln Facility" prepared by the treatment facility or exporter must accompany all commercial shipments of firewood. The document may be obtained here.

Also, a treatment label must be affixed to the packaging of the firewood or a "Heat Treatment Certificate using a Kiln Facility," produced by the treatment facility or exporter, must accompany all non-commercial shipments of firewood.

For more info contact Annie Baxter (English), Forestry Specialist, Forestry Division 613-773-7275 Richard Marcantonio (French), Forestry Specialist, Forestry Division 613-773-7273