ISPM 15 Certification
ISPM 15 stands for the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15, a regulation that is meant to prevent the introduction or spread of forest pests that may be contained in pallets and other wood packaging materials.
Shipping Canadian goods within Canada or to the U.S. are exempt, but ISPM 15 does apply when shipping to or from other countries. The pallet professionals at Paramount are well versed in ISPM 15 and can help you navigate and meet these international regulations.
Please see below on more details of ISPM 15
Contents Below
ISPM 15 Process
Under ISPM 15, all non-manufactured wood packaging for export - including wood pallets, crating and loose wood dunnage - must be treated, either by heat or fumigation.
Heat treating heats the wood pallet until the core temperature reaches 56 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes. This process is widely recognized to destroy any pests that could be harmful to forests. The wood pallet can also be fumigated, but heat treating is considered an environmentally preferable alternative.
Once the wood pallet is treated, it never has to be treated again and is considered suitable for export and re-export, as long as none of the package's components is replaced. Once treated, the packaging must be marked with internationally recognized IPPC markings, which indicate the country of origin and treatment method used.
Manufactured wood products such as oriented strand board (OSB) or particle board do not need to be treated as any pests are destroyed in their manufacture.
Most countries that have adopted ISPM 15 no longer require paper certification as the markings on the packaging will suffice (for the exceptions see:
www.ippc.int/IPP/En/default.jsp)
Shipping within Canada
If you are shipping to an end user inside Canada and the wood pallet is made or repaired in Canada, ISPM 15 does not apply and you don’t need to use packaging that is treated or marked.
Shipping to the U.S.
If your goods are of Canadian origin and are being shipped directly from Canada to the U.S., the wood pallet packaging doesn’t have to be heat treated or fumigated nor does it require any certification or markings. But the shipment is subject to inspection for pests.
If the goods are not Canadian, the U.S. will assume that the wood pallet is also foreign and it must be treated, in accordance with ISPM 15.
If the foreign goods have been repacked onto North American wood pallet, the pallets can enter the U.S. untreated, but the origin of the packaging must be identified on the customs paperwork with this statement: “The wood packaging material associated with this shipment is derived totally from trees harvested in Canada or the United States.”
Shipping to Mexico and other countries
ISPM 15 does apply in shipping to Mexico which means wood pallets (including dunnage) must be treated and marked unless it is made entirely from manufactured wood products such as oriented strand board (OSB), particle board, etc.
Certain countries require additional steps. For a current list, visit:
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/ispm15e.shtml
Shipping into Canada from the U.S.
Canada doesn’t require any treatment or markings on wood pallets originating from the U.S., or any special comments on the customs paperwork. But the packaging is inspected for pests.
If the packaging is to be re-exported outside of North America, then it has to be treated by a certified treatment facility and marked accordingly.
Shipping into Canada from outside North America
ISPM 15 applies and the packaging must be treated and marked.
Selling Canadian pallets to the U.S.
If the pallets (or crates) are the load - as opposed to just packaging - then the customs perform an invoice that must indicate Canada as the country of manufacture. The pallets themselves must be marked “Made in Canada.”
For more information:
The Canadian Wood Packaging Certification Program
(CWPCP) for Export:
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d0105e.shtml
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Canadian inspection program:
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/wdpkgqae.shtml
ISPM #15 Updates:
www.nwpca.com/_INTLRegulations/ISPM15CountryUpdate.htm
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/ispm15e.shtml
www.forestryquarantine.org/ISPM15_e.html
Update on EU requirements:
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/updmis13e.shtml
US Customs & Border Protection frequently
asked questions:
www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/wpm/
Other countries' import requirements:
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/ispm15e.shtml