International shipping comes with a host of regulations, and one of the most important — yet often overlooked — involves pallet treatment. If your pallets cross borders, you need to understand ISPM 15 standards and what they mean for your operation.
What Is ISPM 15?
ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is a set of guidelines created by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to prevent the spread of invasive insects and plant diseases through wood packaging materials used in international trade.
The standard requires that all solid wood packaging materials used in international shipping be treated to eliminate pests. There are two approved treatment methods:
Heat Treatment (HT)
Heat treatment involves heating the wood to a core temperature of at least 56°C (132.8°F) for a minimum of 30 minutes. This effectively kills any insects, larvae, or pathogens within the wood without using any chemicals.
Advantages:
- No chemical residues — safe for food and pharmaceutical applications
- Environmentally friendly process
- Widely accepted in all countries
- Can be re-treated and re-certified
- No worker exposure to hazardous chemicals
Methyl Bromide Treatment (MB)
Methyl bromide fumigation involves exposing the wood to methyl bromide gas, which penetrates the wood and kills pests. While effective, this method has significant drawbacks.
Concerns:
- Methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance
- Many countries are phasing out or have banned MB treatment
- Chemical residues remain in the wood
- Not suitable for food-contact applications
- Health risks for workers during application
Our Position
At Raleigh EcoPallet, we exclusively offer heat-treated pallets for international shipping. It's the safer, more sustainable, and more universally accepted option. All our HT pallets are properly stamped with the IPPC mark, including our facility code and the HT designation.
How to Identify Treated Pallets
Look for the IPPC stamp on the pallet — it's usually branded onto one of the stringers. The stamp includes a country code, facility number, and treatment code (HT for heat treatment or MB for methyl bromide). If you don't see a stamp, the pallet hasn't been treated to ISPM 15 standards and shouldn't be used for international shipping.
Need ISPM 15-compliant pallets for your export operation? We maintain a dedicated inventory of heat-treated pallets ready for immediate delivery.