ISPM-15 Compliance Guide
Exporting with wood packaging? This guide covers heat treatment stamps, exemptions, country-specific requirements, and vendor questions for international shipments.
ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is a set of guidelines developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in 2002 to prevent the international transport of invasive insects and plant diseases through solid wood packaging materials (WPM).
The standard applies to all solid wood packaging used in international trade — including pallets, crates, dunnage, and blocking/bracing. It requires that wood packaging be treated (typically heat-treated) and marked with a standardized IPPC stamp before crossing international borders.
Over 180 countries have adopted ISPM-15 as a condition of import. Non-compliance can result in shipment rejection, mandatory fumigation, destruction of packaging, fines, and significant delays at port.
| Code | Method | Specification | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HT | Heat Treatment | Core temp >= 56 C for 30 min | Most common worldwide | No chemical residue. Accepted by all ISPM-15 signatory countries. |
| DH | Dielectric Heating | Core temp >= 60 C for 1 min | Approved 2013 | Uses microwave or radio-frequency energy. Faster cycle times but requires specialized equipment. |
| MB | Methyl Bromide | 48g/m3 for 24 hrs at >= 10 C | Phasing out | Banned by EU, Canada, China, and others under Montreal Protocol. Still accepted in some markets but declining. |
Every compliant pallet carries an IPPC mark burned or printed onto at least two opposite sides. Here is what each element means:
Wheat sheaf symbol identifying the standard. Must be clearly visible.
Two-letter ISO code (e.g., US, CA, DE) identifying where treatment occurred.
Unique number assigned to the certified treatment facility by the NPPO.
HT (heat treatment), DH (dielectric heating), or MB (methyl bromide).
Optional "debarked" indicator. Required if bark removal was performed.
Manufactured via heat and adhesive bonding — pest risk eliminated during production.
Heat-pressed engineered wood. No solid wood pest harborage.
Reconstituted from wood particles under heat and pressure.
Manufactured product, no raw wood pest risk.
Thin layers bonded under heat. Exempt when <= 6mm thickness.
Not wood — completely outside ISPM-15 scope.
Not wood — no phytosanitary risk.
Processed material — no solid wood content.
European Union
StrictRandom inspections at ports of entry. Non-compliant shipments are fumigated, re-exported, or destroyed at importer cost. MB treatment banned — only HT or DH accepted.
China
Very StrictGACC conducts inspections on nearly all wood packaging. MB banned since 2019. Additional bark-free requirement — even small bark remnants trigger rejection. Fines up to 50,000.
Australia
Very StrictBICON import conditions apply. All wood packaging must be ISPM-15 compliant AND bark-free. Non-compliance results in mandatory fumigation or re-export. Additional fees apply for quarantine processing.
India
StrictNPPO conducts port inspections. MB still accepted but HT preferred. Non-compliant shipments face fumigation at port at importer expense, with 2-4 week delays typical.
Brazil
Moderate-StrictMAPA inspects at major ports. ISPM-15 compliance mandatory since 2006. Non-compliant materials subject to treatment, re-export, or destruction. Fines can reach R$50,000.
Canada
ModerateCFIA inspects based on risk profiling. MB phased out for Canadian exports. Non-compliant packaging results in treatment order, re-export, or disposal. US-origin pallets generally low risk but still subject to random checks.
If any treated component is replaced with untreated wood, the entire pallet must be re-treated and re-stamped.
Repaired pallets retain original stamp validity only if replacement wood is also certified treated.
Stamps that are partially obscured, illegible, or cut through during repair void compliance — the pallet needs re-treatment.
Re-manufactured pallets (rebuilt from mixed components) always require full re-treatment and a new stamp.
Adding untreated blocking, bracing, or dunnage to a compliant pallet voids compliance for the entire unit.
Verify supplier holds current ALSC (American Lumber Standards Committee) or equivalent NPPO accreditation
Confirm treatment facility certificate number matches IPPC stamp producer number
Keep lot-level treatment certificates on file for a minimum of 2 years (3 years for EU/Australia)
Inspect stamps on every inbound lot — check for legibility, correct treatment code, and country code
Ensure stamps include all required elements: IPPC logo, country code, producer number, treatment code
Segregate treated and untreated pallets in separate staging areas with clear signage
Verify bark removal compliance — no bark pieces larger than 3cm wide (regardless of length)
Document chain of custody from treatment facility to point of export
Train dock staff on stamp identification and rejection procedures
Audit supplier compliance annually — request updated accreditation certificates
For mixed loads, ensure every piece of solid wood packaging is individually stamped
Maintain a non-compliance log tracking rejected pallets by supplier, date, and failure reason
United States
(USDA APHIS)Emergency action: treatment, re-export, or destruction. Repeat violations can trigger import alerts against the shipper. Civil penalties up to $250,000.
European Union
(Member state NPPOs)Fumigation or destruction at importer cost. Fines vary by country (5,000-100,000+). Repeated non-compliance triggers enhanced inspection rates for the origin country.
Australia
(Dept. of Agriculture)Mandatory quarantine treatment or re-export. Costs AUD $2,000-$15,000+ per container. Biosecurity infringement notices up to AUD $133,200.
China
(GACC (General Administration of Customs))Rejection, treatment, or destruction. Fines 5,000-50,000. Repeat violations can result in country-wide enhanced inspections on the exporting nation.
What is your ALSC (or equivalent NPPO) accreditation number, and when does it expire?
Which treatment method do you use (HT, DH)? Do you have capacity for both?
Can you provide lot-level treatment certificates with each shipment?
How do you verify bark removal compliance on incoming raw lumber?
What is your stamp application process — applied before or after assembly?
Do you segregate treated and untreated inventory in your facility?
What is your process for handling pallets that fail internal quality checks?
Can you supply pallets compliant with destination-specific requirements (e.g., China bark-free, EU HT-only)?
How often is your kiln calibration verified, and by whom?
What documentation and traceability records do you retain, and for how long?
Stamp fraud or forgery
Counterfeit stamps applied to untreated pallets. Most common with low-cost suppliers in unregulated markets.
Prevention: Audit suppliers on-site. Verify accreditation numbers against NPPO databases.
Faded or illegible stamps
Ink degrades from weather, moisture, or UV exposure. Port inspectors reject unreadable stamps.
Prevention: Require heat-branded stamps (burned into wood) instead of ink stamps for export pallets.
Mixed treated/untreated inventory
Treated and untreated pallets co-mingled in storage. Wrong pallet pulled for export shipment.
Prevention: Physical segregation with dedicated staging areas. Color-coded markings in addition to IPPC stamp.
Bark remnants exceeding limits
Bark pieces > 3cm wide remain on treated pallets. Automatic rejection in China, Australia, and EU.
Prevention: Specify bark-free requirement in purchase orders. Inspect inbound lots before accepting.
Untreated repair wood
Replacement boards or blocks added without re-treatment. Voids entire pallet compliance.
Prevention: Use only certified treated lumber for repairs. Re-stamp after any component replacement.
Expired supplier accreditation
Supplier ALSC/NPPO accreditation lapses but continues stamping. Stamps become invalid.
Prevention: Track supplier accreditation expiration dates. Request renewal certificates proactively.
Submit an RFQ with destination country and timeline—we'll source compliant product with proper IPPC stamps.