What Does ISPM 15 Really Mean for Wood Packaging?

If your business ships products internationally, you may have heard the term ISPM 15. Maybe a customer asked for “ISPM 15 pallets.” Maybe your freight forwarder mentioned heat-treated wood packaging. Or maybe a shipment was delayed because the wood packaging didn’t have the proper stamp.

So what does ISPM 15 actually mean?

ISPM 15 is an international standard for wood packaging material used in global trade. It stands for “International Standards for Phytosanitary Measure”. This program was created to reduce the risk of pests spreading between countries through any kind of wood packaging. It is a set of global plant health guidelines created by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

Why ISPM 15 Exists

Wood is a natural material. That is part of what makes it strong, practical, and widely used in shipping. But untreated wood can also carry insects, larvae, or plant pests.

That may not seem like a big deal at first, but invasive species can cause serious damage to forests, agriculture, and ecosystems. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency notes that exotic pests have been intercepted in wood dunnage, pallets, crates, and other wood packaging material in North America.

ISPM 15 was created to help reduce that risk and make international shipping more consistent.

What Counts as Wood Packaging Material?

ISPM 15 generally applies to wood packaging made from raw wood.

This can include:

• Pallets

• Crates

• Dunnage

• Spacers

• Bearers

• Wood bracing

• Other wood components used to support, protect, or move goods

  
  

It does not apply to wood products that have been processed in a way that makes them low risk, such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board, or veneer-based products made using glue, heat, pressure, or a combination of these methods. The CFIA also lists wood packaging made entirely from thin wood of 6 mm or less as exempt from its Canadian entry requirements.

What Does the ISPM 15 Stamp Mean?

The ISPM 15 mark is the stamp that shows the wood packaging has been treated according to the standard.

That mark usually includes:

• The IPPC symbol

• The country code (“CA” in Canada)

• The producer or treatment provider code

• The treatment code, such as HT for heat treatment

  
  

What Does Heat-Treated Mean?

One of the most common ways to meet ISPM 15 requirements is through heat treatment.

Heat treatment means the wood is heated to a specific temperature for a specific amount of time to reduce pest risk. For heat-treated wood packaging entering Canada, the CFIA references a minimum temperature of 56°C throughout the wood, including the core, for at least 30 minutes when a phytosanitary certificate is used to confirm treatment details.

For manufacturers, the practical takeaway is simple: heat-treated pallets and crates are required for international shipments.

When Do You Need ISPM 15 Packaging?

You should ask about ISPM 15 whenever your shipment is crossing an international border.

This is especially important if you are shipping:

• Industrial machinery

• Fabricated steel

• Aerospace components

• Electrical equipment

• Automotive parts

• Crated products

• Oversized or custom-built equipment

• Export shipments using wood pallets, crates, or dunnage

  
  

Requirements can depend on the destination country, the type of packaging, and the shipment details. When in doubt, it is always better to confirm before the shipment leaves your facility.

Key Takeaways

ISPM 15 may sound technical, but the idea is straightforward.

If you are shipping internationally with wood packaging, the pallet, crate, or dunnage needs to be properly treated and marked to meet international requirements to avoid pest transmission between countries.

The right packaging partner can help you avoid delays, protect your products, and make sure your shipment is prepared before it leaves your facility.

At Bois Ellen Lumber, we manufacture pallets, crates, and industrial wood packaging solutions for manufacturers across North America. Whether you need standard pallets, custom crates, heavy-duty packaging, or export-ready solutions, our team can help you choose the right option for your shipment.

Contact us today to discuss your next pallet or crate project.

Click here to learn more about our certifications: https://www.boisellenlumber.ca/certifications 

This article was written by the team at Bois Ellen Lumber, a family-owned Quebec manufacturer specializing in custom pallets, crates, and industrial wood packaging solutions for manufacturers across North America.