ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is an international regulation developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) that governs the treatment of wood packaging materials used in international trade. The standard was created to prevent the spread of invasive insects and plant diseases that can be transported in raw wood products. Since its adoption, ISPM-15 has become mandatory in most countries worldwide, and non-compliance can result in shipment delays, rejection at borders, fines, and additional treatment costs at the destination.
The standard requires that all wood packaging materials, including pallets, crates, dunnage, and blocking, be either heat treated (HT) or methyl bromide fumigated (MB). Heat treatment requires the core temperature of the wood to reach a minimum of 56 degrees Celsius (132.8 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 30 continuous minutes. This process effectively eliminates pests without using chemicals, making it the preferred method for most applications. Methyl bromide fumigation is being phased out in many countries due to environmental concerns. Dielectric heating (DH) is also approved as a treatment method.
Compliant pallets are identified by the IPPC stamp, which includes several key pieces of information: the IPPC logo (a stylized wheat symbol), the two-letter country code (US for United States), the producer or treatment provider number, and the treatment code (HT for heat treatment, MB for methyl bromide, or DH for dielectric heating). This stamp must be clearly visible on at least two opposite sides of the pallet. Pallets without this marking may be rejected at international borders.
Common ISPM-15 compliance mistakes include using non-treated pallets for international shipments, mixing treated and non-treated materials in a single shipment, using treated pallets that have been repaired with non-treated wood (repairs must use treated wood or the pallet must be re-treated), and failing to ensure the IPPC stamp is legible and properly placed. To avoid these issues, always source pallets from certified suppliers, inspect markings before shipping, document your pallet sourcing, and maintain a relationship with a certified heat treatment provider.
At Pallets Resale, all pallets designated for international shipping undergo ISPM-15 heat treatment at our certified facility. We maintain full documentation and traceability for every treated pallet. Our heat treatment process is audited regularly by the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) to ensure compliance with IPPC standards. Whether you need a single pallet or truckloads, we can provide ISPM-15 certified pallets with proper marking and documentation.
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