US importers are facing mounting financial exposure as US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tightens enforcement of phytosanitary (ISPM-15) requirements for wood packaging materials. According to Metro, CBP issued more than 87,000 Agriculture Emergency Action Notifications (EANs) in the most recent fiscal year, an 11 percent increase year over year.
CBP’s heightened focus reflects persistent concerns over pests found in pallets, crates, and dunnage, long-standing biosecurity issue that continues to affect cargo entering major US ports. More than 16,000 EANs last year involved pests detected directly on cargo or its packaging.
Each notification signals non-compliance with USDA-APHIS regulations and can trigger significant downstream consequences. Shipments may be held for secondary inspection, fumigation or remediation, and in more serious cases, re-exported or destroyed. For importers, fines can reach seven-figure levels, while delays can cascade into production disruptions, missed delivery windows, and contract penalties.
Compliance Pressures on Exporters
Metro notes that exporters shipping palletised freight must take greater care to prevent contamination before cargo reaches the port. Recommended practices include:
Using ISPM-15 certified, heat-treated wood packaging
Ensuring pallet and crate marks are clear and verifiable
Avoiding reused pallets unless compliance is confirmed
Conducting pre-loading inspections for damage or visible infestation
Documenting packaging compliance for every shipment
- Exploring ISPM 15-exempt pallet alternatives
Failure to meet US phytosanitary requirements exposes importers to substantial risk, while exporters with reliable compliance processes strengthen their standing with US customers.
Growing Financial and Operational Exposure for Importers
The consequences extend beyond CBP penalties. Importers may also face:
Inland demurrage and storage charges
Port congestion delays and rebooking costs
Inventory shortages and production impacts
Higher insurance premiums
Supplier disputes when contamination originates overseas
With inspection thresholds rising, importers increasingly depend on overseas partners to uphold US standards and document compliance.
How Metro Supports Risk Reduction
Metro reports that it works closely with exporters and US-bound customers to improve compliance at origin, reduce inspection exposure, and manage exceptions. Its services may include:
Verification of ISPM-15 compliant materials
Supplier packaging audits and corrective actions
Pre-shipment checks at factories and loading points
Review of documentation and regulatory alignment
Route planning to lower inspection probability
Oversight through its global control tower
Metro’s combined UK–US operation provides coordinated support across both ends of the supply chain. The company notes that its US team operates from more than 10 offices in key logistics hubs, including New York, Chicago and Dallas.
For discussions on US compliance requirements or cargo-risk mitigation, Metro directs inquiries to Managing Director Andrew Smith.
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
