| Abstract | Starting on 17 December 1998, all exports from China and Hong Kong to the United States (US) will be required to have either certification from the Chinese government that all the solid wood packing materials from China contained in the shipment have been adequately treated, or a statement from the exporter that the shipment contains no solid wood packing materials from China. The US is introducing this new documentation requirement to prevent the further spread of the Asian longhorned beetle -- a pest that is threatening several US industries. Under an interim trade rule released on 18 September 1998, all solid wood packing materials contained in shipments of goods from China and Hong Kong must either be preserved, heat-treated or fumigated to ensure that there are no Asian longhorned beetles in the shipment. An assessment of the impact of the proposed new trade rule indicates that it will not substantially affect the volume of Hong Kong's exports to the US. |
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