As a business owner shipping goods overseas, you know that the requirements for international shipping are not always clear and often bring up loads of questions and concerns. When it comes to shipping wood pallets and crates, it is important to have a good understanding of ISPM15 —  the stamp of approval required for international shipping.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About ISPM15

 

What is ISPM15?

 

ISPM15 stands for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures #15. This measure originates from the International Plant Protection Convention, whose main purpose is to protect cultivated and wild plants by stopping the spread of pests. ISPM15 requires all wood materials that have a thickness greater than 6mm to be heat-treated before being internationally shipped. These regulations have been put into place to prevent the spread of insects and diseases that could cause harm to plants or ecosystems. 

 

What are the Benefits of Heat-Treatment ?

 

Heat-treatment has many benefits. Most importantly, it allows you to ship internationally. Without heat-treatment, your shipment can not get the ISPM15 stamp of approval. Other benefits include: 

 

• Cost-efficient: Pallets and crates end up weighing less after heat-treatment, which can end up saving you in shipping costs.
• Moisture resistant
• Eco-friendly: Heat-treatment does not emit any toxins in the air and prevents the spread of invasive pests.
• Increases longevity for the wood, because pallets are much less likely to decompose when exposed to certain weather conditions. 

How Do I Get ISPM15 Approval?

 

In order to get the ISPM15 approved, all the wood materials need to be:

 

• Debarked: In order to prevent re-infestation of insects during the manufacturing process. 
• Heat-treated: Raising the temperature of the wood to 133 degrees fahrenheit for 30 minutes in order to stop the spread of insects. 
• Fumigated with methyl bromide: This step helps to control fungi, rodents, and other pests.
• Stamped or branded with a mark of compliance. 

What Materials Does ISPM15 Apply To?

 

ISPM15 does not apply to all wood. This measure only applies to coniferous softwood and non-coniferous hardwood. This includes pallets, crates, dunnage, drums, wood cases, etc. Plywood and veneer, which are manufactured wood-based products, would not fall under this category. Reconstituted wood products would also not need the ISPM15 stamp of approval. 

 

Contact Us

At Anderson Pallet and Crate, we offer quality wooden pallets and crates, with the option of heat-treatment. When it comes to shipping internationally, finding the right company to take care of your shipping needs will make all the difference. If you have any questions or concerns, we have a team of highly skilled professionals who are gladly here to help!

Contact us today and find out more about what we do!