Export · HT NOM-144 / ISPM 15

Export Pallets with Heat Treatment (HT)

Export pallets are wooden pallets with heat treatment (HT) compliant with NOM-144 and ISPM 15: the wood is heated to 56 °C for 30 minutes to eliminate pests and marked with the IPPC stamp, making them valid at customs in more than 180 countries. At BestPack, we manufacture them at scale in Mexico.

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What is heat treatment (HT) on an export pallet?

Heat treatment (HT) places the lumber in a chamber or autoclave and raises its temperature until the core of each piece reaches a minimum of 56 °C for at least 30 continuous minutes. The process eliminates insects, larvae, fungi and other organisms without using chemicals, so it is safe, clean and environmentally friendly.

Thanks to HT, a pallet can cross borders without the risk of carrying forest pests from one country to another. It is the most widely used and recommended method worldwide, and the only one most customs authorities accept for solid wood pallets. Learn more in our guide on what NOM-144 is and how heat treatment (HT) works.

Key fact: heat treatment (HT) is not the same as kiln drying (KD). HT specifically guarantees the temperature and time the standard requires to eliminate pests; KD only reduces moisture content.

Regulations

How are NOM-144 and ISPM 15 related?

Two names for the same goal: pest-free wood packaging for international trade.

ISPM 15 (international)

The FAO standard that regulates wood packaging in global trade. Adopted by more than 180 countries, it requires treatment (HT) and the IPPC stamp.

NOM-144 (Mexico)

NOM-144-SEMARNAT is Mexico's official implementation of ISPM 15. It governs wood packaging entering or leaving Mexico under the same requirements.

One pallet, both standards

Because both require the same treatment and the same stamp, a pallet that complies with NOM-144 also complies with ISPM 15. You don't need two separate certifications.

Want the technical details of each standard? Read our guides on what ISPM 15 is and what NOM-144 requires.

What is the IPPC stamp and how is the pallet marked?

All wood treated under NOM-144 / ISPM 15 must carry the IPPC stamp, branded or applied with indelible ink on at least two opposite sides of the pallet. Without this stamp, the pallet is not valid for export, even if it has been treated. The stamp contains four key elements:

  • The wheat-ear symbol of the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention).
  • The country code, which for Mexico is MX.
  • The authorized treatment provider's number, which identifies the company that performed the treatment.
  • The treatment code, which for heat treatment is HT.

At BestPack Solutions we manufacture, treat and mark every pallet to these requirements, so it arrives at customs ready for clearance. We also work with legally sourced, traceable lumber, which adds another layer of compliance and sustainability.

At customs

Why are HT pallets required at customs?

A pallet without a valid IPPC stamp puts your entire shipment at risk.

Customs hold

Your shipment is held at customs until the non-compliance is resolved, causing delays and storage costs.

Fumigation or repackaging

You are forced to fumigate or replace the pallet at destination, with extra cost and unplanned delays in your supply chain.

Returned shipment

In serious cases, the goods are rejected and sent back to the country of origin, costing you time, freight and your customer's trust.

Fines

Phytosanitary authorities can impose financial penalties for packaging that does not comply with the standard.

Destinations & sizes

Export to more than 180 countries

The IPPC stamp is recognized internationally. With HT NOM-144 pallets you can ship to the world's main markets, in standard export sizes or custom dimensions.

United States Canada European Union China Japan Brazil Latin America
48" x 40" (standard) 48" x 45" 1.0 x 1.2 m (ISO industrial) Custom sizes

Not sure which pallet you need for your destination? Our packaging engineering team recommends the ideal pallet based on your product, load weight and export country.

350,000
Pallets / month
Installed capacity
56 °C
30 min · HT
Heat treatment
IPPC
NOM-144 · ISPM 15
Stamped and ready
Why BestPack

Advantages of sourcing your export pallets from BestPack

Volume, speed and compliance to keep your export supply chain running.

High capacity

More than 150,000 pallets per month and installed capacity of up to 350,000, from our production plant in San Luis Potosí and distribution warehouse in Saltillo, for high-volume export programs.

Fast delivery

We treat, mark and deliver with short lead times. Nationwide coverage across Mexico from the country's industrial heartland.

Guaranteed compliance

ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certifications, plus NOM-144 and ISPM 15 (HT). Legally sourced, traceable lumber.

Packaging engineering

We design the optimal pallet for your product and validate its performance in ocean, ground and air transport.

Complete solutions

Beyond pallets, we manufacture wooden export crates and custom ocean-freight crating.

Continuous supply

Recurring supply programs for export plants, with inventory and replenishment synchronized with your production.

Why choose wooden pallets for export?

The wooden pallet remains the global standard for export: it is strong, repairable, recyclable and, once treated, fully compatible with international phytosanitary regulations. Compared with other materials, it offers the best balance of cost, load capacity and availability. To compare alternatives, see our wooden pallets page.

At BestPack Solutions, the export pallet is only the start of an integrated solution. We operate from our production plant in San Luis Potosí, with a distribution warehouse in Saltillo, an installed capacity of up to 350,000 pallets per month and nationwide coverage in Mexico, which lets us serve everything from a single shipment to continuous supply programs for large exporters in the automotive, manufacturing, electronics, food and consumer goods sectors.

Does your packaging comply for export? We help you get HT pallets marked with the IPPC stamp, ready for customs. Request a quote or message us at +52 444 829 0377.

Frequently asked questions

HT export pallets

What is heat treatment (HT) for export pallets?

Heat treatment (HT) raises the temperature of the wood until its core reaches a minimum of 56 °C for at least 30 continuous minutes. It eliminates pests without chemicals and is the method required by NOM-144 and ISPM 15 for export pallets.

What is the difference between NOM-144 and ISPM 15?

ISPM 15 is the FAO's international standard for wood packaging, and NOM-144-SEMARNAT is its official implementation in Mexico. Both require the same treatment (HT) and the same IPPC stamp, so a pallet that complies with NOM-144 also complies with ISPM 15.

What is the IPPC stamp and where is it marked?

The IPPC stamp includes the wheat-ear symbol, the country code (MX), the authorized treatment provider's number and the treatment code (HT). It is branded or applied with indelible ink on two opposite sides of the pallet. Without this stamp, the pallet is not valid for export.

Why do customs authorities require heat-treated pallets?

To prevent forest pests from spreading between countries. A pallet without a valid IPPC stamp can lead to customs holds, mandatory fumigation, return of the shipment or fines, delaying your export.

Which countries can I export to with HT NOM-144 pallets?

Every country that has adopted ISPM 15, more than 180 in total, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, China, Japan, Brazil and most of Latin America. The IPPC stamp is recognized internationally.

What production capacity does BestPack have for export pallets?

We produce more than 150,000 pallets per month, with installed capacity of up to 350,000, from our production plant in San Luis Potosí and a distribution warehouse in Saltillo, which lets us serve high-volume export programs with fast deliveries throughout Mexico. Get a quote at +52 444 829 0377.

Get a Quote for Your Export Pallets

Heat treatment (HT) compliant with NOM-144 and ISPM 15, IPPC stamp and delivery throughout Mexico.

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