ISPM 15 is the phytosanitary standard applied so that raw wood packaging and dunnage used in international trade do not carry harmful insects and nematodes. It is published by the IPPC; the wood is debarked, treated by heat treatment or fumigation and marked with the IPPC stamp. Packaging without the stamp may be returned or destroyed in the country of destination.
What is the scope of ISPM 15?
The full title of the standard is "Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade". It was first adopted in 2002 under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and revised in 2009; its annexes were updated in later years. The scope covers all transport packaging made of raw wood more than 6 mm thick: pallets, crates, boxes, skids, cable drums and the blocks used to secure the load (dunnage).
The following materials are considered low-risk and are excluded from the scope:
- Packaging made entirely of wood 6 mm thick or less,
- processed wood produced using glue, heat or pressure, such as plywood, particle board, OSB or veneer,
- wine and spirit barrels heated during manufacture,
- sawdust, wood shavings and wood wool.
Why is it applied?
Raw wood is one of the known pathways for forest pests to travel between continents. A single insect species arriving in the planks of a crate can cause serious damage to forests in the country of destination. The standard aims to cut this risk at source, when the packaging is produced. That is why the check is independent of the cargo inside the packaging: however valuable the machine may be, a single unstamped block can stop the entire shipment.
How is it applied?
- Debarking: The wood is stripped of bark. Pieces of bark less than 3 cm wide, or wider pieces whose individual surface area is under 50 cm², are permitted.
- Approved treatment: One of the methods below is applied to the wood.
- Marking: The producer authorised by the national plant protection organisation applies the stamp after treatment.
| Code | Method | Basic requirement |
|---|---|---|
| HT | Heat treatment | 56 °C for at least 30 minutes throughout the entire cross-section of the wood, including its core |
| DH | Dielectric heating (microwave, radio frequency) | 60 °C for at least 1 minute throughout the entire cross-section |
| MB | Methyl bromide fumigation | Restricted or banned in many countries |
| SF | Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation | Depends on a concentration and duration schedule |
The practical differences between the methods are covered in the heat treatment vs fumigation entry.
What does the IPPC stamp contain?
The stamp sits inside a rectangular border divided in two by a vertical line. On the left is the IPPC wheat-ear symbol; on the right are the country code (TR for Türkiye), the producer code assigned by the national organisation and the treatment code (HT, DH, MB or SF). The mark cannot be hand-drawn; it must be legible and permanent, and is preferably applied on two opposite sides of the packaging. Red and orange are not used so that it is not confused with dangerous goods labels. In Türkiye the national plant protection organisation is the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı).
What should be watched for in heavy equipment shipments?
In project cargo, wood is often used in places that are easy to overlook. Timbers placed under cradles, wedges and blocks, skids and crate frames are also subject to the standard. Even if the surface of an export-type crate with plywood panels is exempt, its solid wood base beams must be stamped. As blocks are often cut to size during loading, the standard pays particular attention to keeping the stamp visible after cutting. The same rule applies to the timbers used in stowage and securing inside containers.
What happens in case of non-compliance?
The plant health authority of the country of destination may treat or destroy packaging found unstamped or with live pests, or require the shipment to be sent back. The costs and delays fall on the consignor or the importer. A project cargo held at customs can shift the entire installation schedule, which is why the packaging check should be done before export customs clearance.
Common mistakes
- Buying a stamped crate but using additional blocks cut on site without a stamp.
- Not re-treating the new boards of a repaired pallet.
- Assuming a plywood crate is exempt and overlooking the solid wood skids.