Debarked does not mean the same as treated
Bark removal and phytosanitary treatment address different parts of the wood-packaging requirements. A bark-free board is not automatically treated. A treated piece should not be accepted without considering the applicable bark requirements and its current condition. Ask the provider to confirm the complete compliant packaging, rather than purchasing two unconnected claims.
How the UK guidance describes residual bark
The Forestry Commission allows clearly separate small remnants within stated limits: pieces narrower than 3 cm may be of any length; pieces wider than 3 cm must each have an area below 50 cm². These are limits on individual remnants, not permission to leave a large continuous strip by dividing its measurement on paper. Borderline cases should be referred to the responsible provider.
What buyers should record
If bark raises a concern, photograph the whole component and the remnant with a scale. Record the order and quantity affected. Keep questioned units separate while the supplier responds. Your photographs support an assessment; they do not turn an informal warehouse measurement into official acceptance.
Include hidden timber in the review
Bearers beneath cases and internal packing blocks can be less visible than pallet deck boards. Plan access for inspection before the goods are enclosed. If components arrive from different sources, make clear who confirms the completed packaging arrangement. A clean-looking top deck does not tell you the condition of concealed support timbers.
Sources & further reading
Forestry Commission: wood packaging material for import and export (opens in a new tab)References reviewed 7 October 2026. Confirm the current rules for your shipment with the relevant authority or freight adviser.