ISPM 15 is an international standard that applies to wood packaging materials used in global shipping. It was developed under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to help prevent insects, pests, and plant diseases from spreading from one country to another through untreated wood.
The standard generally applies to solid wood packaging such as crates, pallets, skids, dunnage, and other wooden materials used to support or protect cargo. To comply with ISPM 15, the wood must receive an approved treatment, most commonly heat treatment, and be marked with an official IPPC stamp showing that it meets the required standard.
ISPM 15 compliance is important when shipping internationally because many countries require compliant wood packaging before cargo can enter the country. Packaging that does not meet the requirements may be rejected, quarantined, treated at the destination, returned to the exporter, or destroyed. These actions can result in significant delays and additional shipping costs.
Manufactured wood products such as plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and certain other processed wood materials are generally exempt because the manufacturing process significantly reduces the risk of carrying pests.
If you are building a wooden crate for an international shipment, check the destination country's requirements before shipping. When solid wood components are used, obtaining properly treated and marked ISPM 15-compliant lumber can help prevent customs and quarantine problems at the destination.