If you're exporting goods from the UK, there's a good chance your wooden pallets need to meet ISPM-15 — the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. It's one of the most important compliance requirements in international trade, yet it catches many businesses off guard.
Here's what you need to know.
What Is ISPM-15?
ISPM-15 is an international plant health standard developed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Its purpose is to prevent the spread of invasive insects, diseases, and other pests that can live inside raw wood — including wooden pallets, crates, and dunnage.
When untreated wood crosses international borders, it can carry organisms like the Asian longhorn beetle or pine wood nematode. These pests can devastate local forests and ecosystems. ISPM-15 sets out treatment methods that eliminate this risk.
Which Countries Require It?
Over 190 countries have adopted ISPM-15, including all EU member states, the USA, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, and most of the world's major trading nations.
Post-Brexit, this applies to UK businesses exporting to the EU as well. If you're moving wooden pallets from the UK into Europe, ISPM-15 compliance is a legal requirement — not just best practice.
What Does "Heat Treatment" Actually Mean?
The most common ISPM-15 compliant treatment is heat treatment (HT). This involves heating the wood to a core temperature of 56°C for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes, which is sufficient to kill any organisms present.
After treatment, the pallet is marked with the internationally recognised ISPM-15 stamp:
- IPPC logo (a wheat sheaf symbol)
- Country code (e.g. GB for United Kingdom)
- Producer/treatment provider code
- Treatment type (HT for heat treatment, MB for methyl bromide — though MB is now banned in most countries)
This mark is what customs officials look for. If your pallet doesn't carry it, it can be rejected, fumigated at your expense, or destroyed.
What About Methyl Bromide (MB)?
Methyl bromide fumigation was the older treatment method. It has been phased out across the EU and most countries due to its environmental impact. If you see pallets marked MB, they are no longer compliant for export to most destinations.
Always look for the HT marking.
Do All Pallets Need to Be ISPM-15 Compliant?
Not necessarily. ISPM-15 applies to solid wood packaging materials. It does not apply to:
- Plywood, particle board, or OSB (these are processed and treated during manufacture)
- Plastic pallets
- Paper or cardboard packaging
If you're using standard wooden Euro pallets or UK pallets for export, they need to be ISPM-15 certified.
How Do I Know If My Pallets Are Compliant?
Check for the ISPM-15 stamp on the side of the pallet. It should be clearly visible and include the country code, producer code, and HT marking. If there's no stamp, or the stamp is unclear, those pallets are not compliant for export.
When ordering from Champion Pallets, simply let us know your pallets are for export. We supply ISPM-15 heat-treated, HT-marked pallets as standard and can confirm compliance documentation on request.
Champion Pallets and ISPM-15
We supply ISPM-15 compliant pallets to businesses across Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the wider South Coast — including exporters working with the port at Southampton and businesses trading with Europe, the USA, and beyond.
All our export-grade pallets carry the correct HT markings and meet current phytosanitary requirements. If you need documentation for a specific shipment, just ask when you place your order.
Questions about compliance for your next export? Get in touch — we're happy to help.