The export of plywood to North America (the United States and Canada) requires compliance with mandatory regulations, certification labels, customs clearance documents, and supply chain traceability. Its system is independent of the European Union and is supported by formaldehyde emission control and wood legality.
Mandatory compliance requirements in the US market
EPA TSCA Title VI Certification: Starting from March 22, 2019, all hardwood plywood (HWPW) exported to the United States must meet a formaldehyde emission limit of ≤ 0.05 ppm, which is equivalent to California CARB Phase 2 but is mandatory nationwide. Enterprises must conduct product testing through a third-party certification body (TPC) and obtain a Declaration of Conformity (DoC). Product packaging must be labeled with compliance labels indicating "TSCA Title VI Compliant".
Lacey Act Declaration: Starting from December 1, 2024, all plywood imports containing wood components must submit the PPQ-505 Plant Declaration Form, clearly declaring the wood species, country of origin, and supply chain source. Failure to declare or provide false information will result in the detention of goods, fines, and even criminal liability. FSC or PEFC certification documents can serve as strong evidence of legitimate sources, significantly reducing compliance risks.
Customs clearance and inspection: Commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, EPA testing reports, and Lacey Act declaration forms are required. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may conduct sampling inspections, while the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) does not require ISPM 15 fumigation as plywood is a highly processed wood and is exempt from heat treatment and IPPC labeling.
Mandatory compliance requirements for the Canadian market
SOR/2021-148 Formaldehyde Regulation: Effective from January 7, 2023, Canada's formaldehyde emission limit for hardwood plywood is also ≤ 0.05 ppm, and the technical requirements are fully consistent with TSCA Title VI in the United States. Products that have passed TSCA certification can be directly accepted by Canada without the need for repeated testing, but must be labeled in both English and French, and the manufacturer must keep test records for 5 years.
Enterprise declaration obligation: All manufacturers, importers, and distributors must submit a corporate declaration to the Canadian Department of Environment and Climate Change, stating whether it involves the production or import of composite wood products and providing contact information. Failure to fulfill the declaration obligation will result in administrative penalties.
Trade risk warning: In April 2026, Canada has initiated anti-dumping and anti subsidy investigations on decorative and non structural plywood (HS codes 4412.10-4412.99) originating in China. Export companies need to closely monitor the preliminary ruling results (expected in July 2026), prepare response materials in advance or adjust market strategies.
Key exemptions and market trends
ISPM 15 exemption: Due to the high-temperature and high-pressure bonding processing of plywood, it is not suitable for fumigation requirements for wooden packaging in the United States and Canada, and does not require IPPC labeling, greatly reducing logistics costs and time.
FSC/PEFC certification: the "golden key" to market access: Although not legally mandatory, mainstream building material retailers in North America (such as Home Depot, Lowe's), LEED certified building projects, and high-end residential developers generally require the use of FSC certified plywood. More than 60% of plywood produced in the United States comes from FSC certified forest farms, and products without FSC certification are almost impossible to sell in the high-end market.
Technological trend: Formaldehyde free MDI adhesive and biomass adhesive are accelerating the replacement of traditional urea formaldehyde adhesive, and "ultra-low formaldehyde" products with formaldehyde release ≤ 0.03 ppm have become a competitive barrier for technology leading enterprises.
Practical Suggestions for Export (Linyi Enterprise, Shandong)
Product end: Ensure that the formaldehyde emission of plywood is ≤ 0.05 ppm, and obtain EPA TSCA Title VI certification, while simultaneously applying for FSC CoC production and sales chain of custody certification.
File side: DoC, FSC certificate, Lacey Act declaration form, certificate of origin, packing list, invoice are provided with the goods, and all documents maintain consistent information.
Logistics end: No fumigation is required, but it is necessary to ensure that there is no bark residue in the packaging to avoid being mistaken for wooden packaging.
Risk side: Stay alert to Canada's anti-dumping investigation, suggest diversifying the market, and explore alternative channels in the USMCA region such as Mexico and southern states of the United States.
Export to North America=TSCA compliance x Lacey Act declaration x FSC endorsement
All three are indispensable. Certification is not a cost, but a ticket to market access.