1 General.

1.1          Fumigation is a method of pest control that completely fills an area with gaseous pesticides - or fumigants - to suffocate or poison the pests within. It is utilized for control of pests in buildings (structural fumigation), soil, grain, and produce, and is also used during processing of goods to be imported or exported to prevent transfer of exotic organisms. This method also affects the structure itself, affecting pests that inhabit the physical structure, such as woodborers and drywood termites.

1.2          Timber products used for dunnage can be treated by fumigation under the requirements of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, No. 15 (ISPM 15)[1]. Some shippers believe, incorrectly, that they can achieve this by throwing in a fumigation bomb just before the CTU doors are closed. This, however, is not permitted under ISPM 15 and does not achieve the required level of treatment.

1.3          Fumigated CTUs containing no other dangerous goods are subject to a number of provisions of dangerous goods regulations, such as those included in this annex[2].

1.4          When the fumigated CTU is packed with dangerous goods in addition to fumigant, any provision of the dangerous goods regulations (including placarding, marking and documentation) applies in addition to the provisions of this annex.

1.5          Only CTUs that can be closed in such a way that the escape of gas is reduced to a minimum should be used for the transport of cargo under fumigation.