What is ISPM-15?
ISPM-15 stands for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. It is an international regulation developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) that governs the treatment of wood packaging materials used in international trade.
The standard was created to prevent the spread of invasive insects and plant diseases that can be carried in raw wood. Without treatment, wooden pallets, crates, and dunnage can harbour pests like the Asian longhorned beetle or pine wood nematode — organisms that have caused billions of dollars in damage to forests worldwide.
How are pallets heat-treated?
Heat treatment (HT) is the most common method for meeting ISPM-15 requirements. The process involves heating the wood to a core temperature of at least 56°C (132.8°F) for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes. This kills any insects, larvae, or pathogens living inside the wood.
The treatment is performed in a kiln or heat chamber by a certified facility. Once treated, each pallet is stamped with the IPPC mark — a wheat-sheaf symbol that includes the country code (CA for Canada), the producer number, and the treatment code (HT for heat treatment).
When do you need ISPM-15 pallets?
You need ISPM-15 compliant pallets any time you are shipping goods internationally on wooden packaging. This applies to exports leaving Canada and imports arriving from other countries. The requirement covers pallets, crates, cases, dunnage, and any other solid wood packaging thicker than 6mm.
Shipments that fail to meet ISPM-15 standards can be refused at the border, quarantined, or destroyed — leading to costly delays and reshipping fees. For businesses in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland that export through ports like Deltaport or Vancouver Port, having certified pallets on hand is essential.
How to identify a certified HT pallet
Look for the IPPC stamp on at least one side of the pallet. The stamp will include: the IPPC wheat-sheaf logo, the two-letter country code (CA), a unique producer/treatment facility number, and the letters HT indicating heat treatment. If a pallet does not have this stamp, it is not certified for international shipping.
Some businesses also accept methyl bromide (MB) treated pallets, but this method is being phased out due to environmental concerns. Heat treatment is the industry standard and is accepted by all ISPM-15 signatory countries.
Getting ISPM-15 pallets in Vancouver
Magic Pallets supplies ISPM-15 certified heat-treated export pallets to businesses across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Whether you need standard 48x40 HT pallets or custom sizes for specialized export shipments, we can deliver directly to your warehouse or freight forwarder.
If you're unsure whether your shipment requires heat-treated pallets, contact us for guidance. We work with exporters, freight forwarders, and manufacturers across Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Delta, and the rest of the Lower Mainland.