Dave Nicklin
If your consignments are being transported internationally, it’s essential that any wooden packaging, whether this be pallets, cases or crates must be heat treated to ISPM 15 standards. We have created a list of the most frequently asked questions about ISPM 15. Add your questions and answers!
ISPM 15 stands for the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication No. 15 (2009): Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade. These are the globally recognised standards for heat treating all wooden packaging materials.
Timber packaging plays an extremely important part in international trade, with a very high percentage of all deliveries in global distribution are made using timber pallets, cases or crates. However, using solid wood for international trade increases the risk of transferring pests and/or wood and forest diseases from one country to another. By heat treating wood to ISPM 15 standards, we can be sure that timber is free from infestation to prevent what could be absolutely devastating effects on a foreign eco system.
To comply with ISPM 15 standards, all solid wood packaging must be heated to a minimum core temperature of 56 degrees Celsius for a minimum time of 30 minutes.
All ISPM 15 compliant packaging is marked (see above). ISPM 15 marks should be clearly visible and it is recommended that they appear on at least 2 opposite sides of a pallet, crate or cases.
A large list of countries have implemented require imports to be ISPM 15 compliant, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they have ISPM 15 programs in place for exports. All countries exporting timber packaging to other countries that have an ISPM 15 import program in place must ensure that their packaging is ISPM 15 marked. The United Kingdom is amongst the list of countries participating in ISPM 15.
All packaging materials manufactured from coniferous and non-coniferous raw woods must be heat treated to ISPM 15. However, ISPM 15 doesn’t apply to packaging that is made of wood based products such as plywood and or other reconstituted wooden products.
Whether wooden pallets, cases or crates are transported by land, sea or air, ISPM 15 still applies when exported to a country with an ISPM 15 program in place for imports.
Trading since 1913, we are one of the UK's longest established and most experienced providers of bespoke timber and corrugated transit packaging products and services. Our product range includes; ...
