The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates importing wood and wood products because of the risk of insect infestations with negative effects on the environment. This also applies to wooden pallets and crates, in this post we will review some of the requirements that have to be fulfilled.
ISPM 15
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15) – Developed by IPCC (International Plant Protection Convention) to address the need for wooden pallets and packaging to be fumigated.This is to prevent infestation of foreign insects.
ISPM wooden packaging must be made from debarked wood and then treated with either heat or methyl bromide to ensure that they cannot be reinfested and that they remain pest-free. Most of the world’s largest economies have adopted and implemented ISPM-15, and it is the only international pallet requirement for export.
After the wood is treated, it is stamped or branded with the internationally recognized IPPC stamp. The treatment method used and country of origin of WPM is also indicated by the mark.
Taken from https://www.bentleywp.com/the-importance-of-ispm-15-compliance/
Understanding treatment requirements for solid wood packaging, such as wood pallets, and crates, you can prevent the inconvenience and cost of having your shipment quarantined at international ports of entry, by hiring a vendor specialized in packaging and crating services.
Planning to use wooden packaging?
- Make sure they have been fumigated and stamped by your provider.
- Regulations require an IPCC Stamp – Request a stamp on both sides. It Certifies that the wood materials have undergone processing necessary to eliminate insects and fungus.
Wood packaging material without the IPCC stamp or found infested with insects would be in violation of the regulations put in place by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) – a division of the USDA. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would then assess a penalty to the responsible party.
Contact CARGO CARE SERVICES for Packaging and Crating Services
We have a network throughout the United States in order to assist you with your palletizing, packaging and crating needs, we are able to provide you with a price given the zip code, and cargo details.