China has started the new Quarantine Restriction on Wood Packaging Materials (WPM) based on ISPM No.15 starting from January 1, 2006 arrival
basis not on the shipment date.

 A good news is:
Shanghai Quarantine Authorities have posted a series of Q&A and guidelines in Chinese language,  http://www.shciq.gov.cn/  

According to the Q&A:
(1) The rule will start from January 1, 2006 on arrival basis but there will be a 
  mitigation period against the violation until June 1, 2006.
(2) During such period, WPM with no markings will be accepted if accompanied by official Treatment Certificate.
(3) If there is no proper marking, importers are notified for the violation.
(4) If there found pests in WPM, the WPM shall be treated or destroyed.
(5) During the mitigation period, there will be no ship-back.
(6) It is also suggested to mention a certain statement on shipping document such as "WPM's are treated and with IPPC markings" or "There is no WPM in this shipment".

Japan Shippers' Council is suggesting to describe such statement on Invoice in Chinese language after interviewing quarantine officers in China in November 2005. Japan is exporting about 1 million TEU containers to China and about 40% of the volume is to Shanghai.
During the first week of the new rule, only a couple of violation cases are reported in southern area near Hong Kong and no conventional vessels are rejected for entry because of the dunnage markings, as far as the cargoes from Japan are concerned.

And the bad news is:
Although the above guideline should be a general rule in China,  the Beijing website  http://www.aqsiq.gov.cn/  is posting no details. 
Local authorities may exercise their own interpretation according to the past practice
in China.

Major exporting countries to China are Japan, EU, USA, ASEAN and Korea. 

Regards

FC Flying Cargo