When you think of threats at sea, you might not consider the humble wooden pallet as a main concern. However, untreated wood can cause a lot of problems at the border.
As trade has become more globalised, biosecurity standards have been introduced to address the spread of timber pests (insects and pathogens) via international trade routes. ISPM 15 pallets are one such solution, providing a global standard for wooden pallets that protects local ecosystems from invasive species.
What is ISPM 15?
ISPM 15 is the acronym for ‘International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication No 15 (2009): Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade’. It is a standard developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), requiring compliant pallets to be treated and then marked with a certification stamp denoting their point of origin and method of treatment. West Coast Pallets & Crates utilises Heat Treatment.
What is Heat Treatment?
This is the most common and most effective method to make wooden pallets ISPM 15 compliant. West Coast Pallets & Crates uses a dry heat treatment oven to sterilise the timber. Heat treated pallets are marked “HT”. The process requires the core temperature to reach a minimum of 56°C for at least 30 continuous minutes.
What is an ISPM 15 pallet?
An ISPM 15 pallet is coniferous (softwood) or non-coniferous (hardwood) solid wood packaging material that has been treated in compliance with ISPM 15 standards. Only certified treatment providers or manufacturers can apply the internationally recognised ISPM certification mark.
Understanding the ISPM 15 certification mark
Compliant wood packaging materials are branded or stamped with the specific ISPM mark, which must include the following details:
- The internationally recognised certification mark (the IPPC certification symbol)
- ‘XX’ represents the two-letter ISO country code where the wood was treated. For local manufacturing, this would be AU for Australia.
- “000” represents the unique certification number, which means the packaging can be traced back to the treatment provider and/or manufacturer.
- “YY” represents the kind of treatment the packaging has had, e.g. HT for heat treatment.
What does ISPM apply to?
Raw wood packaging materials requiring ISPM treatment and certification include:
- Dunnage
- Crating
- Cases
- Pallet collars
- Skids
- Pallets
- Any other wood packaging used to secure cargo or commodities
Some materials are exempt from this as they are either too thin, or are already processed wood material (such as plywood or particle board). However, the exempt materials are typically not able to handle as much weight as other options like treated hardwood pallets.
Third party certification standards
Third party certification bodies assess treatment providers to make sure pallets are stored correctly, and that processed wood material is segregated from material which had not had heat treatment. If you are working with certified Australian treatment providers like West Coast Pallets & Crates, you can rest assured your pallets have been treated and stored to ISPM 15 compliant standards.
Is ISPM 15 mandatory?
That depends where you are shipping to. In Australia, it is unlikely your shipment will be accepted by the forwarding agent, airlines or shippers for both air freight & sea freight. ISPM 15 is used by large parts of the world including Australia, New Zealand, North and South America, as well as many countries in Asia and Europe. If you are shipping to a country that has implemented this standard, any timber packaging or dunnage will need to be ISPM certified.
Beyond this, destination countries may have their own regulations and requirements. For example, Australia specifies that our Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) apply to both timber and bamboo packaging. Some countries will also require documentation confirming your packaging has been treated, even if it is already marked appropriately.
What happens if pallets are untreated?
For export companies, noncompliance is a risk not worth taking. Customs control may refuse entry at the destination, or order the material to be removed for treatment or destroyed. This wastes precious time and resources while you work to resolve the issue.
For importers – Australia does follow ISPM 15, but also offers some alternative treatment options depending on the situation. Treatment, further export or destruction of non-compliant timber packaging will be done at the importer’s expense.
How does AWPCS relate to being ISPM 15 compliant?
The Australian Wood Packaging Certification Scheme (AWPCS) authorises Australian providers to provide the internationally recognised mark to the wood packaging. So if ISPM 15 is the certification for the wood itself, AWPCS acknowledges certified wood packaging manufacturers or service providers.
Why not just use plastic pallets?
Plastic pallets are another option from some suppliers, avoiding the wood issue altogether – however, these are not the most cost effective option, nor are they a sustainable one. Export pallets are typically only sent one way to their destination, so wooden packaging that is heat treated to ISPM 15 standard is typically a more economic (and eco-friendly) approach.
What size are ISPM 15 pallets?
Typically these pallets will be smaller than standard domestic racking size (1165mm x 1165mm). Export pallets are usually manufactured to around 1100mm x 1100mm, which allows for two pallets to be loaded side-by-side in a sea container.
Can export pallets be customised?
That depends on where you are getting your pallets from. West Coast Pallets & Crates can treat export pallets, crates & cases, gluts, and other customer supplied goods like timber packaging.
We do our manufacturing and heat treating on site, so it’s easier for us to deliver treated custom configurations without any added delays.
The heat treatment also makes timber packaging lighter as it draws out the moisture in the wood, which is an added bonus for export clients with strict weight requirements.
Can you reuse ISPM 15 packaging material?
Yes. ISPM 15 marked solid timber packaging stays compliant so long as no alterations are made to the packaging – for example, you cannot replace parts of the treated wood with other timber.
Keep in mind that ISPM 15 certification does not mean that any treated wood has permanent protection against re-infestation later. It only guarantees that at the time of treatment, the biosecurity risk was removed.
If you want to use ISPM 15 marked packaging again for export purposes, you will need to ensure it meets the requirements of the destination to avoid a hold up at customs.
Protect your investment (and the ports)
International shipping has many challenges, but hidden pests hitching a ride with your product doesn’t need to be one of them. By using ISPM 15 compliant pallets and packaging materials, you can avoid the added cost of your goods being quarantined or refused entry at the destination country.
Beyond that, you are also helping to protect delicate global ecosystems and stop the global spread of invasive species. Now all you need is to find a certified manufacturer who can take your next pallet order from design to ISPM certification, with a fast, reliable turnaround.
West Coast Pallets & Crates makes it easier
Our export pallets are stamped with the ISPM 15 certification mark, and we can provide heat treatment certificates upon request for compliance with international standards.
Better yet, we are WA’s only PEFC certified supplier – so you know your wooden packing is coming from sustainable forestry supply chains, ensuring a consistent supply for manufacturing at all times. We are always ready to go when you need us, and hold many popular items in stock to provide an even faster delivery.
When working out logistics for your business needs, make purpose-built export pallets one less thing to worry about. West Coast Pallets & Crates has durable, ISPM 15 certified wood packaging stock available for transportation around the world from our manufacturing location in Perth, WA.
Why not contact us online or call us on (08) 9434 3935 to find out more.
