What Is ISPM 15? Heat-Treated Pallets & Wood Packaging for Export

What is ISPM 15?

ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is an international standard created by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), a body under the FAO. It regulates wood packaging material used in international trade: pallets, crates, boxes, reels, blocks and dunnage.

Its purpose is to prevent the spread of pests and insects (such as larvae and fungi) that can travel inside untreated wood and damage the ecosystems of the destination country. That is why more than 180 countries require wood packaging to comply with this standard.

What does the standard require?

ISPM 15 requires wood packaging material to undergo a treatment that eliminates pests and then be marked with an official stamp certifying that treatment. The approved treatments are:

• Heat treatment (HT): the wood is heated until it reaches a minimum of 56 °C at the core of the piece for at least 30 minutes. It is the most widely used method and the one we apply at BestPack Solutions.
• Methyl bromide (MB) fumigation: used less and less because of its environmental impact and restrictions in several countries.

The IPPC stamp: how to identify a certified pallet

Once treated, the wood is marked with the IPPC stamp, which includes:

• The wheat-ear symbol (the IPPC logo).
• The country code (for example, MX for Mexico).
• The unique number of the authorized producer or treatment provider.
• The code for the treatment applied: HT (heat) or MB (methyl bromide).

ISPM 15 vs. NOM-144: are they the same thing?

They are directly related. NOM-144-SEMARNAT is the Mexican standard that adopts ISPM 15 and makes it mandatory within Mexico. In practice, when a pallet complies with NOM-144 in Mexico, it also complies with ISPM 15 internationally. You can dig deeper in our NOM-144 guide.

What happens if my packaging does not comply?

The consequences of exporting with uncertified wood are costly:

• Shipment held at customs.
• Emergency fumigation or treatment charged to the exporter.
• Complete repackaging of the goods.
• Return or destruction of the packaging.
• Delays that affect deliveries and business relationships.

How to make sure your pallets comply with ISPM 15

The safest way is to work with an authorized manufacturer that performs the heat treatment and marks the wood in accordance with the standard. At BestPack Solutions we manufacture export pallets, wooden crates and wood packaging with heat treatment (HT) compliant with NOM-144 and ISPM 15, ready to cross any border without setbacks.

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