Intermodal containers for export or import can transport live pests (insects, larvae, eggs, rodents) in dunnage, furniture, cereals or salvaged goods. The majority of countries require certified pre-entry fumigation.
Nova Extermination offers this service with technicians holding the Restricted Application Permit (RAP) issued by Health Canada, in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements. License RBQ 5734 75930 01. Service offered on the South Shore of Montreal and beyond as needed.
Who is this service for?
Exporters and importers. Any exporter or importer subject to ISPM 15 requirements, particularly for demanding markets (Australia, China, Brazil).
If you are unsure about the relevance of this service for your situation, contact us at 514 666 6682 for a telephone consultation. We assess in a few minutes whether fumigation is the right option or whether another service from our catalogue (e.g. insect treatment or pest prevention) would be more suitable.
Applicable regulatory framework
ISPM 15 international standard for wood for packaging, requirements of the destination countries (Australia, China, Brazil in particular), ISPM 15 certificate required.
All of our fumigation technicians hold the Restricted Application Permit (RAP) issued by Health Canada, recertified every 5 years. We keep complete documentation of each intervention (gas batches, measurement probes, certificates) accessible for audit for five years.
How the treatment is carried out step by step
tight sealing of the container, controlled injection of phosphine or methyl bromide depending on the cargo and the destination country, dose and exposure time in accordance with AQF/Health Canada protocols, forced ventilation before opening, measurement of residual gas below the threshold of 0.1 ppm
Total duration: exposure 48 to 72 hours depending on the gas, ventilation 12 to 24 hours, total 3 to 4 days.
Before the operation
- Due diligence of the site, measurement of the volume to be treated
- Safety plan and coordination with the authorities in urban areas
- Notification of affected occupants or neighbours
- Written estimate with proposed gas, exposure time and reoccupation time
During the intervention
- Tight sealing of the volume to be treated
- Controlled injection with continuous measuring probes
- Perimeter monitoring to detect leaks
- Monitoring of concentrations at intervals defined according to the gas used
After the intervention
- Forced ventilation until safe concentrations are returned
- Residue measurement with calibrated instrument
- Certificate issued and delivered in person or by secure email
Underwriting and Inspection
The quote for this service depends on the exact volume, the gas chosen, the time limit imposed and the documentation required by your buyer or authority.
Here are the service variants we offer for this need:
- 20ft sea container
- Standard 40ft Shipping Container
- 40-foot high-cube or refrigerated container
- Set of several containers (decreasing rate)
What influences the quote
- Surface or volume to be treated
- Extent of the infestation or situation
- Accessibility of the areas concerned
- Response time requested (planned or emergency)
- Scope of the desired warranty
- Documentation required for insurer, notary or audit
The inspection is non-binding. We evaluate on site (or by phone as the case may be) and give you a written estimate adapted to your building before any work begins. No unpleasant surprises at the end.
Documents and certificates issued
Official fumigation certificate signed by certified technician, export documents that comply with customs requirements. All our certificates are:
- Numbered and signed by PAR certified technician
- Archived 5 years for customs traceability or dispute
- Compliant with ISPM 15 requirements for exports
- Accepted by major customs agencies (CBSA, US Customs, EU)
- Downloadable on request via secure link for quick transmission to the buyer
Additional services possible
Depending on your operation, other services can complement it:
For an overview, check out our main fumigation services page.
Questions
How long does it take to plan this fumigation?
For urgent cases (imminent export, confirmed active infestation), 48 to 72 hours. For recurring contracts (seasonal silos, planned batches), year-round planning.
Are there chemical residues in the goods after processing?
No, after ventilation and residue measurement, the goods are certified below the regulatory thresholds (0.1 ppm for phosphine in food grains, for example). The certificate documents this measurement.
What gas do you use and why?
Phosphine as standard, methyl bromide for some demanding countries. The choice depends on the goods, the destination country and the available time. We validate with you before intervention.
Is the certificate valid for my customs export?
Yes, our certificates meet ISPM 15 requirements and are accepted by major customs agencies and international buyers. If your buyer has specific requirements, please let us know: we will adapt the documentation.
How do I get a quote for this intervention?
Inspection after a brief preliminary audit of the volume to be processed and the documentary requirements (export, buyer, authority). The estimate is written, detailed and fixed before any work begins.
What are the risks for my employees or for the neighbourhood?
The safety protocol eliminates risks when followed: watertight containment, monitoring probes, controlled ventilation, measurement of residues before reoccupation. For urban areas, coordination with local authorities and notification of neighbours.
Contact Nova Extermination
Inspection within 24 hours, quick intervention. Intervention the next day. Coverage assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the condition of the building. Call 514 666 6682 or fill out the contact form for container fumigation.
Nova Extermination, RBQ license 5734 75930 01. Service 7 days a week, including public holidays. Health Canada Licensed Products.
Frequently Asked Questions: Container Fumigation
What is container fumigation?
Container fumigation treats goods shipped or received in a sea or land container to eliminate insects and meet import or export requirements. Nova Extermination seals the container, diffuses a registered fumigant and respects the exposure time before aeration and safe opening. This service serves commercial and port sites on the South Shore and Montérégie.
Does container fumigation meet import and export standards?
Our processes are carried out by certified technicians according to approved products and recognized protocols for containerized goods. We document the intervention to support your customs and phytosanitary compliance procedures. Nova Extermination advises you on the deadlines and conditions to be respected for your shipment.
Can a container received from abroad and deemed infested be treated in your home?
Yes, we handle incoming containers with signs of infestation before they are unloaded or distributed. Container containment allows the fumigant to penetrate pallets and packaging where insects are hiding. Our technicians evaluate the content and determine the appropriate approved process at the sites in the region.
How long does it take to process a container?
The duration includes the time of exposure to the fumigant and then the complete aeration, and varies according to the commodity, the volume and the ambient temperature. Nova Extermination specifies this time frame at the time of the evaluation in order to plan your logistics operations on the South Shore. The safe opening is confirmed only after the concentration readings.
What is the price of container fumigation?
The price is based on an assessment, depending on the magnitude of the situation, the volume and nature of the load, and the applicable handling requirements. Nova Extermination evaluates the container before submitting a proposal tailored to your timeline. This paid professional service is performed by RBQ and CNESST certified technicians.
Do you guarantee a completely insect-free container after fumigation?
We apply effective and documented approved processes, but the results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on the commodity and the conditions of processing. Nova Extermination favors honest information about realistic expectations rather than a total guarantee. Recontamination during handling or subsequent storage remains beyond our control.