Anyone involved in international shipping is already aware of the various requirements that must be met, particularly when it comes to wooden packaging and crating. For those new to exporting, you’ll need to become familiar with ISPM 15 compliance and where to find heat treated lumber specifically for shipping overseas.

What Is ISPM 15 Compliant Lumber?

ISPM 15 compliant lumber is heat treated lumber used to make wood packaging material like pallets, crates, and dunnage. The treatment kills invasive pests and disease to prevent them from spreading in the destination country.

ISPM 15 stands for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Number 15, and it’s a global regulation that was developed by the International Plant Protection Convention, or IPPC.

Before shipping internationally, you must make sure your wood packaging meets ISPM 15 compliance criteria.

What Criteria Must Lumber Meet for ISPM 15 Compliance?

To be certified and legally stamped as ISPM 15 compliant lumber, the wood must go through the following process:

  • Debarking to prevent pests from hiding or laying eggs in outer layers
  • Either heat treatment, where the wood is heated until the core reaches 56 degrees Celsius or 133 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 continuous minutes, or
  • Fumigation, where the wood is treated with the chemical gas methyl bromide
  • Stamping with the internationally recognized brand that includes the IPPC logo, a unique facility code, and the treatment method

Without meeting these requirements, you cannot ship items overseas in wood packaging.

What to Ask Your Supplier About ISPM 15 Compliant Lumber

Is your lumber supplied by a certified ALSC-accredited agency?

Your industrial wood supplier doesn’t need to be accredited unless they’re applying the treatment, but the wood they sell must come from an officially licensed and audited organization.

Which type of treatment was applied to the wood?

While methyl bromide is still an acceptable treatment, it is being phased out due to environmental concerns. The most globally accepted treatment is heat treated lumber.

Does the lumber have an official ISPM 15 stamp?

If the wood doesn’t have the official ISPM 15 stamp, it is not compliant and you can’t use it for exporting.

What other considerations should I keep in mind when buying heat treated lumber?

ISPM 15 mandates pest control, but heat treated lumber may not have also been kiln dried. Ask about moisture content in the wood to make sure you don’t purchase lumber that will mold or warp during transit.

Planning for overseas shipping is not a last-minute task, though some suppliers—like Lodge Lumber—will keep stock on hand for select clients. If you’d like to learn more about export compliant lumber or our safety stock program, reach out today.