ISPM 15 Heat-Treated
Pallets for Export
Shipping goods out of the Port of Baltimore or across a border? Request stamped, heat-treated pallets and a partner supplier in our network will follow up.
What ISPM 15
Means for Pallets
ISPM 15 is the international standard for treating wood packaging, such as pallets and crates, so that insects do not travel with it from one country to another. Wood that has been treated receives a permanent stamp, and receiving countries look for that stamp when cargo arrives.
We do not treat or stamp pallets ourselves. We take your free, no-obligation quote request and pass it to partner suppliers in the Baltimore area. Ask them for ISPM 15 stamped pallets and have them confirm the stamp before anything ships.
Rules differ by destination, so check current regulations for the destination country before you order.
Heat Treatment in Brief
Core Temperature
The center of the wood reaches at least 56 °C (132.8 °F)
Duration
That temperature is held for at least 30 minutes straight
Stamp
The pallet is marked with the IPPC symbol and an HT treatment code
Your Check
Look at the stamp on delivery and confirm it is clear and complete
What the Stamp Shows
HT
IPPC
Illustration only. The layout and numbers on a real stamp vary.
Parts of the Mark
Country Code
Two letters showing the country where the wood was treated
Producer Number
A number that identifies who treated or marked the wood
Treatment Code
HT means heat treatment, MB means methyl bromide fumigation
IPPC Symbol
The International Plant Protection Convention logo that identifies the mark
Ask for the Stamp
When you request a quote, say the pallets are for export and ask for ISPM 15 stamped pallets. Do not assume any pallet on a supplier's list is stamped.
Check the Destination
Requirements can differ by country and change over time. Check current regulations for the destination country, or ask your freight forwarder.
Repairs and Reuse
A used pallet is only suitable if its stamp is still readable and any replaced boards were treated and marked. When in doubt, ask for a pallet with a fresh stamp.
Heat vs. Fumigation
Methyl bromide fumigation (MB) has been phased down in many places. Heat treatment (HT) is what most export buyers ask for.
Buying Export Pallets:
A Short Guide
What to know before you request a quote for pallets that will leave the country
Why Export Pallets Are Different
A pallet that works fine for domestic shipping may be turned away at a foreign port. Many countries require wood packaging to be treated and stamped under ISPM 15, and customs staff can check for the mark on arrival. A pallet without a clear stamp can hold up the whole shipment, so it is worth settling the pallet question before the freight booking.
Baltimore is a port city, and many local shippers send goods overseas, so stamped pallets are a common request here. The standard covers pallets, crates, and other wood packaging made of solid wood. Parts made of processed materials such as plywood are treated differently, so ask your supplier and check the destination's current rules.
Reading and Checking the Stamp
A proper mark is clear, permanent, and not handwritten. It shows the IPPC symbol, a country code, a producer number, and a treatment code such as HT. The mark should be on the pallet where inspectors can see it, and many shippers like it on two opposite sides.
When pallets arrive, look at a few before they go into the container. If a stamp is smudged, partly missing, or looks wrong, tell the supplier right away rather than at the dock. Keep any paperwork the supplier gives you with your shipping file.
What to Include in Your Quote Request
Tell the supplier that the pallets are for export and that you need ISPM 15 heat-treated, stamped pallets. Give the size (for example 48x40 or 1200x1000), the style, such as stringer or block, the load it must carry, and roughly how many you need. If the pallets are for a particular country, name it.
Pricing is by quote from partner suppliers and depends on size, grade, and quantity. New and used options may both be available, but a used pallet must still carry a valid stamp to go overseas. Availability depends on partner suppliers, and we only take requests from the Baltimore area.
Ready to Request Stamped Pallets?
Use the form at the top of this page, or email info@baltimore-pallets.com. We pass your request to partner suppliers, and one follows up to discuss what is available for your shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ISPM 15 mean for a pallet?
ISPM 15 is an international standard for wood packaging used in cross-border shipping. Pallets must be treated, usually by heat, and carry a permanent stamp showing they were treated. Always check current regulations for the destination country.
What is the heat treatment requirement?
Heat treatment means the core of the wood reaches at least 56 °C and stays there for at least 30 minutes. The stamp carries the letters HT when this method was used.
How do I request stamped pallets?
Submit a quote request and say the pallets are for export, give the size and quantity, and ask for ISPM 15 stamped pallets. A partner supplier follows up with what is available.
Is a kiln-dried pallet the same as a heat-treated pallet?
Not automatically. Kiln-dried describes moisture content. A pallet is ISPM 15 heat-treated only if it was treated to the required temperature and time and carries the HT stamp. Ask the supplier to confirm the stamp is on the pallet.
Can custom-size pallets be stamped?
Often yes, through partner suppliers. Include the dimensions in your request and mention that the pallets are for export so the supplier can quote accordingly.
Can a used or repaired pallet be used for export?
Only if it carries a legible, valid stamp and any replaced parts were also treated and marked. Pallets with missing or unreadable stamps may be refused at the destination. Ask the supplier how repairs were handled.
Do I need extra paperwork besides the stamp?
Some destination countries ask for additional declarations or documents. Check current regulations for the destination country, and ask your freight forwarder or the receiving party what they expect.
What is the difference between HT and MB?
HT means heat treatment. MB means methyl bromide fumigation, which has been phased down in many places. Most buyers ask for HT.