Check wood packaging compliance requirements for shipping to any country. Treatment methods, special rules, and penalties.
This ISPM-15 guide is provided by JLog, a Cape Town-based specialist logistics company that builds custom wooden crates to ISPM-15 standards at its Woodstock workshop. JLog's ISPM-15 compliant crating is used for international art, furniture, and high-value goods shipments to 100+ countries.
What is ISPM-15?
ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) regulates wood packaging material in international trade. It requires solid wood packaging (pallets, crates, dunnage) to be treated — either heat treated (HT) or fumigated with methyl bromide (MB) — and marked with the IPPC stamp. The standard prevents pests and diseases from spreading between countries through wood packaging.
Exempt materials: Plywood, particle board, and oriented strand board (OSB) are exempt from ISPM-15 requirements as they are manufactured using processes that eliminate pests. Cardboard and plastic packaging are also exempt.
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❔ Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISPM-15?
ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is an international standard that regulates wood packaging material used in international trade. It requires that solid wood packaging — such as pallets, crates, and dunnage — be treated by either heat treatment (HT) or methyl bromide (MB) fumigation, and marked with the IPPC stamp. The standard prevents pests and diseases from spreading between countries through wood packaging.
Does my shipment need ISPM-15 treatment?
Yes, if you are using solid wood pallets, crates, or dunnage for international shipping. However, plywood, particle board, and cardboard are exempt from ISPM-15 requirements as they are manufactured using processes that eliminate pests. If your packaging is entirely made from exempt materials, no ISPM-15 treatment is needed.
What is heat treatment (HT) for wood packaging?
Heat treatment (HT) involves heating the core of the wood to a minimum temperature of 56°C for at least 30 continuous minutes. This kills any pests or larvae present in the wood. Heat treatment is the most universally accepted ISPM-15 treatment method and is required by countries like Australia and New Zealand that have banned methyl bromide fumigation.
What is the ISPM-15 mark and where should it be?
The ISPM-15 mark features the IPPC wheat stalk logo alongside a country code, a producer or treatment provider number, and a treatment code (HT for heat treatment or MB for methyl bromide). The mark must be stamped, branded, or stencilled — not handwritten — and must appear on at least two visible sides of each wood packaging unit.
Which countries have the strictest wood packaging rules?
Australia and New Zealand have the strictest ISPM-15 enforcement. They require heat treatment only (methyl bromide is banned), conduct BMSB (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug) seasonal inspections, and frequently fumigate or reject non-compliant shipments at the border. The United States, Canada, China, India, and Brazil also have high enforcement levels with significant penalties including re-export, destruction, or treatment at the port at the shipper's expense.
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