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Understanding ISPM 15

Understanding the ISPM 15 and its impact on global import and export shipping.

If you intend on shipping manufactured products or agricultural goods outside of the United States, heat treating (HT) of your wood pallets for fumigation purposes needs to become a time-consuming part of your procedures for shipping.

In order to export pallets to another country, the wood pallet needs to meet specific International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Guidelines, also known in the trade as the ISPM 15.

The ISPM 15 is one of numerous standards adopted by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), which initiated among the more than forty-three treat member countries requirements to limit the potential introduction of disease and insects.

Materials that are covered under the Wood Packaging Material (WPM) Treaty:

Pallets are not the only wood products requiring specific certification prior to export. The WPM Treaty applies to all types of hardwood and softwood packaging not including particle board, plywood, strand board veneer and wood wool. Some specific examples of shipping products definitely requiring WPM certification include:

  • Reels.
  • Drums.
  • Wood bins.
  • Wood skids.
  • Wood boxes.
  • Wood pallet collars.
  • Wood shipping containers.
  • Shipping crates.
  • Wood packaging materials.

Treat it and mark it.

Pallets need to be heat treated (HT) or fumigated with methyl bromide to meet specific export standards. Once the other wooden materials and pallets have been treated, each pallet is then imprinted with a type of quality treatment mark that notes:

  • The pallet manufacturer.
  • The agency that treated the wood.
  • The specific location at which the treatment was executed.
  • The HT or MB mark and the country in which the pallet originated.

How does the wood pallet receive certification?

The ALSC Wood Packaging Material (WPM) program is accountable for management of the heat treatment certification process through twenty accredited 3rd party agencies that operate heat treatment locations. The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association is responsible for overseeing the administration of MB fumigation treatments under the direct supervision of the U.S. APHIS. Once wood pallets have received proper certification with the quality and treatment mark, they may be used in the export of goods.

Are there problems with the ISPM 15?

The regulations impact business costs and the pallet production methods for many pallet providers across the U.S and the globe. Manufacturers and recyclers find it increasingly difficult to meet the requirements put on packing materials made from wood. These regulations even drive up the expense associated with wood pallets and other wood packing materials, and will increase the attractiveness of plastic export pallets from Reusable Transport Packaging!

Is there a viable solution to the wood export pallet problem?

To meet the ever-evolving needs of worldwide pallet consumers, Reusable Transport Packaging offers a rugged yet less expensive option in inexpensive nestable plastic export pallets.

To place a nestable plastic export pallet order or track down additional information regarding international shipping regulations, please contact one of our specialists at 727.319.2300 or sales@reusabletranspack.com.