Heat-Treated ISPM-15 Pallets in Indianapolis

What ISPM-15 is and when you need it

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ISPM-15 is the international standard for wood packaging used in shipping. It was written to stop insects and plant disease from riding across borders in pallets, crates and dunnage. Most countries that import goods enforce it, including Mexico, China, Australia and the countries of the European Union.

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So when do you need it? If solid wood packaging leaves the country with your product, plan on it. Shipments between the U.S. and Canada have long been the main exception. Rules do change, so confirm with your freight forwarder or the importing country before you ship.

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How heat treatment works

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The wood is heated until its core holds at least 56°C (133°F) for 30 straight minutes. That happens in a kiln or heat chamber at a facility certified under the program. In the U.S., the American Lumber Standard Committee oversees the agencies that audit those facilities.

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Methyl bromide fumigation is also allowed under the standard, but it is being phased out and is banned in some places. That is why heat treatment is what most U.S. exporters use.

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How to read the ISPM-15 stamp

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A compliant pallet carries a stamp, usually on two opposite sides. Check for these marks before the pallet leaves your dock:

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• IPPC logo: the wheat symbol of the International Plant Protection Convention

• Country code: US for pallets treated in the United States

• Facility number: the ID of the certified facility that treated the wood

• Treatment code: HT for heat treatment, or MB for methyl bromide

• Agency logo: the accredited agency that audits that facility

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No stamp, a smudged stamp or a hand-written "HT" will not pass. Neither will a pallet repaired with untreated boards after it was stamped.

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Does a heat-treated pallet stay compliant?

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Heat treatment does not wear off. A stamped pallet stays compliant as long as nobody repairs it with untreated wood. If boards are replaced, the new wood has to be treated and marked too, and a rebuilt pallet has to be treated and stamped again.

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Keep stamped pallets dry and stored away from untreated stock. That way nobody grabs the wrong pallet on the day the container loads.

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What does not need ISPM-15

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The standard covers solid wood. Packaging made entirely of processed wood, such as plywood, OSB and particleboard, is exempt. So is wood 6 mm thick or less, which is about a quarter inch. Plastic and metal pallets are exempt too.

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Mixed builds are where people get caught. A plywood crate sitting on solid wood skids still needs treated, stamped skids.

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Heat-treated pallets we source

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We source ISPM-15 stamped versions of most pallet types, including 48x40 GMA pallets, heavy-duty block pallets, EPAL euro pallets and custom wood pallets built to your size. Recycled pallets can be heat-treated and stamped as well, which keeps export packaging costs down.

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Tell us the destination country, pallet size, load weight and ship date. Call or text Curt at 765-661-3643, and we will come back with a price and a delivery date. Delivered orders start at 50 pallets.

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Questions about export pallets

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Do heat-treated pallets cost more?

Yes, a little. Treatment adds a step at a certified facility, so expect a modest premium over the same pallet untreated. If you are not sure which shipments need it, we can quote both.

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Can I heat-treat my own pallets?

Not for export. Only a facility certified under the program can treat and stamp wood packaging.

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Is a kiln-dried pallet the same as a heat-treated one?

Not always. Kiln drying can meet the heat requirement, but the pallet only counts if it carries the ISPM-15 stamp with the HT code. Check the stamp, not the paperwork.

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Do I need ISPM-15 pallets for shipments to Canada?

Usually not for wood packaging made in the U.S., but confirm with your freight forwarder before you ship.

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For the full standard, see the IPPC's ISPM 15 publication page.