The International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures is a set of international guidelines that regulate the wood packaging materials that are transferred during international trade. This is a global standard to reduce the risk of the introduction and spread of invasive pests. This includes any wood packaging material, such as pallets, crates, reels, dunnage, and any other wood material that is bigger than 6mm in thickness.

The wood packaging is either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide to meet standards. Once it has undergone treatment it will be given a stamp that proves that requirements have been met. The stamp can only be given by a certified supplier and once it is stamped, it will not expire. Currently, over 182 countries comply with the ISPM-15 guidelines.

If your export lumber is not stamped, you run the risk of shipping delays, having your products denied at the border, being charged a premium rate for fumigation, or worst-case scenario, having all packaging and products destroyed. Make sure to work with a reliable packaging supplier, so that you do not run the risk of running into problems that cost you a lot of money.

Read more about the ISPM-15 guidelines in our new infographic below.