Section 3(20A) in Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003
(20A)No article, packed with raw/solid wood packing material shall be released by the proper officer of Customs unless the wood packaging material has been appropriately treated and marked as per ISPM-15 or is accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with the treatment endorsed.The treatment of raw/solid wood packing material prior to export shall include either Methyl bromide (MB) @ 48 g/m3 for 16 hrs at 210C and above or any equivalent thereof or heat treatment (HT) at 560C for 30 min (core temperature of wood) or Kiln Drying (KD) or Chemical Pressure Impregnation (CPI) or any other treatments provided that these meet the HT specification of the ISPM-15.Any, article, if found packed with raw/solid wood packaging material without specified treatment and without marking as per ISPM-15 or if not accompanied by Phytosanitry Certificate with treatment endorsed, as the case may be, shall be considered untreated and shall be referred by the proper officer of the Customs to Plant Quarantine Officer. The proper officer or Customs shall grant release of such articles packed with untreated wood packaging material only after ensuring that the wood packaging material has been appropriately treated at the poing of entry under the supervision of Plant Quarantien Officer.Provided that above conditions shall not be applicable to wood packaging material wholly made of processed wood products such as ply wood, particle board, oriental strand board or veneer that have been created using glue, heat and pressure or combination thereof. Also the above conditions shall not be applicable to wood packaging material such as veneer peeler cores, saw dust, wood wool and shavings and thin wood pieces (less than 6 mm thickness), unless they are found to be harboring any regulated pests specified in this order.Provided further that nothing contained in this clause shall be applicable to wood packaging materials used for packaging of bona-fide passenger baggage containing goods other than plant and plant products.(20 B) No article packed with hay or straw shall be allowed to be imported unless such hay or straw, as the case may be is treated prior to export and the article shall accompany the treatment certificate.Explanation. - In this sub-clause, the word "treated" shall mean treated by Methyl bromide fumigation @ 48 gm/m3 for 24 hours at normal atmospheric pressure at 210C or above or equivalent thereof; or steam sterilization under pressure 560C for 30 minutes; or any other treatment approved by the Plant Protection Adviser.
