ISPM 15 Packaging

The ISPM 15 packaging we provide includes crates, cases, and pallets. All packaging is manufactured using high-quality timber materials and is produced to meet UK and international standards on export packaging.

When shipping overseas, packaging will be reviewed by border inspections, and any packaging made of wood that hasn’t been treated correctly can cause delays and can be rejected for shipment. ISPM 15 packaging is designed to mitigate all these risks, ensuring that wood packaging can be safely exported to international markets.

Why ISPM 15 Is Important For Exporting

ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures) is an internationally recognised phytosanitary standard for heat treatment on timber packaging and pallets. The reason ISPM 15 exists is to reduce the spread of pests and diseases from untreated timber.

This type of packaging is important for exporters because any solid wood packaging used for international shipping must be made from suitable timber that has been treated in accordance with the correct standards. This applies to packaging used to ship any materials, whether that be machinery or specialist equipment.

Any packaging that does not meet ISPM 15 standards may be stopped from passing through customs and returned to the sender or destroyed, causing unnecessary disruption to orders.

Packaging That Must Be ISPM 15 Compliant

ISPM 15 regulations apply to most wooden packaging used for exporting. Specific examples include crates, cases and timber pallets.

Here at PEC Packaging, we manufacture standard and bespoke packaging constructed from solid timber, offering strong load-bearing capabilities and protection.

We manufacture standard and custom timber packaging at PEC Packaging, both of which are built to deliver a strong load capacity and protection of goods.

If you’re looking for material that has similar characteristics to wood, but is exempt from ISPM 15 standards, then plywood is usually the best choice, as it can provide similar protection that wood packaging gives you.

The Process of Making Timber ISPM 15 Compliant

Removal of bark from the wood is a requirement for ISPM 15 compliance.

Bark is one of the main places where larvae and insects thrive, and this is why debarking is important, as without this the materials cannot be compliant to ISPM 15 standards. When removing the bark, it is acceptable in some cases to still leave traces of bark, but only under strict limits that do not allow insects to survive.

Making wood heat-treated will involve gradually increasing the temperature the wood is exposed to. The minimum required temperature is 56 °C, and it’s required that the wood is tested at this temperature for a duration of at least 30 minutes.

Upon the completion of testing requirements, the wood can be considered safe for international shipping and ISPM 15 marked.

All timber we source is ISPM 15 marked, so only compliant materials are used in our packaging.

Understanding The ISPM 15 Mark

Heat treated timber must be marked with an official stamp that is recognised worldwide to show that the wood has been treated correctly.

The correct mark will show the IPPC logo (International Plant Protection Convention) along with a unique registration number, country code (identify using two letters) and a treatment code (HT for Heat Treatment). We have included the image below to show what this mark would look like.

Having the correct ISPM 15 mark is essential for getting your shipments through customs seamlessly. If the mark is not present, you will need to provide a separate phytosanitary certificate for the packaged goods. But it’s important to note that, even with the certificate, if the wood is not marked, it can still be considered non-compliant.

Our team at PEC Packaging checks all materials for the correct ISPM 15 markings before our packaging is approved for export, helping reduce delays on international shipments.

Our Commitment to Compliance

Compliance with export packaging standards is essential for packaging used for international logistics. We work with freight forwarders and logistics teams to select the appropriate compliant packaging for the items they’re shipping, ensuring smooth transit through customs.

All cases, crates, and pallets are made from wood that is heat treated in line with the correct standards, giving our customers the confidence that all our packaging is compliant for overseas shipment.

Any previously used packaging can also be checked again for compliance with reuse requirements and reprocessed if required. This is another way our team works alongside forwarders and export services to ensure packaging can be reused and remains compliant with standards.

What are the Consequences of Failing to Comply?

If the packaging used for shipment is considered non-compliant, then this will be picked up during inspections carried out at customs.

The obvious consequence of failing an inspection is missed delivery deadlines, but it also includes additional costs for repackaging or disposing of inadequate packaging.

PEC Packaging utilises compliant materials from the very start, ensuring shipment delays are prevented as well as additional repackaging or disposal costs.

Alternative Packaging

Depending on when items need to be shipped, we can offer different alternatives that can be also be suitable. An example of this would be cardboard packaging or plastic pallets, which aren’t subject to the same export standards as wood. For heavier items and sensitive goods, solid wood remains the best practical solution to ensure your shipping is compliant.

If you are reading this and searching for someone to help advise on the best packaging for your requirments then our support team can help.

Reliable ISPM 15 Packaging

PEC Packaging supplies ISPM 15 export packaging created for a number of international shipping requirements.

If you’re looking for heat treated wooden cases, crates, pallets or bespoke packaging, our team are ready to help keep your goods protected and ready for exporting.