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ISPM 15 Stamping & Heat Treatment
ISPM 15 is an international standard set by the International Plant Protection Convention. It targets wood packaging material thicker than 6 mm, like pallets, crates, and dunnage. Untreated wood can carry insects, larvae, and fungi across borders. These pests damage forests and crops once they reach a new country.
Most countries now require ISPM 15 compliance before they accept wood packaging at customs. Shippers, exporters, and freight forwarders all need treated and stamped wood to move goods internationally. Heat treatment is the most common and widely accepted method for meeting this standard.
The International Plant Protection Convention created an official stamp for treated wood. This mark proves the wood passed inspection and meets ISPM 15 standards. Customs officers look for this stamp before they release shipments.
The stamp includes the IPPC logo, your country code, and a unique registration number. It also shows "HT" for heat treatment, the method used on your wood. Regulations forbid red and orange ink on the stamp, since shippers reserve those colors for hazardous material warnings.
Every stamp must appear on two opposite sides of the packaging. The mark must stay legible and permanent for the life of the shipment. Only licensed facilities can apply this stamp to wood packaging. Al Madeena Pest Control holds this license and stamps every batch we treat.
Non-compliant wood packaging gets rejected, fumigated, or destroyed at the border. This causes shipment delays, extra costs, and damaged business relationships. Some customs authorities issue fines for repeated violations.
Exporters, manufacturers, and logistics companies all rely on compliant wood packaging. Pallets, crates, boxes, and dunnage used in international trade all need treatment. Even reused pallets must carry a valid, visible IPPC stamp.
Working with a licensed facility protects your shipments from costly setbacks. It also protects forests and farmland in the countries that receive your goods.
ISPM 15 is the international standard for treating wood packaging used in trade.
The wood must reach a core temperature of 56°C for thirty minutes.
Pallets, crates, and dunnage thicker than 6 mm need treatment before international shipment.
No. Manufactured wood products like plywood and particle board are exempt from this rule.
Customs can reject, fumigate, or destroy your shipment, causing delays and added costs.
