The Chinese government is increasing its scrutiny of shipments of raw logs from the U.S., according to the Hardwood Federation, and roughly 5,700 U.S. containers at Chinese ports are awaiting inspection.
The scrutiny was triggered after the country said it discovered pests on log and apple shipments that originated from the U.S., according to Reuters. China does not permit fumigation at its ports, so shipments with pest contamination are either turned back to the U.S. or destroyed.
The USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service has been in negotiations with China since the increased inspections were introduced.
“Based on these discussions, China has agreed to allow for in-country fumigation for shipments that are currently on the water provided that the company can demonstrate that it has successfully exported logs to China in the past,” the Hardwood Federation said in a statement. The concession does not apply to future shipments, however, and negotiations with the country continue.
The issue does not affect hardwood lumber shipments.
