Export Pallet Requirements by Country: A 2025 Reference Guide

Shipping internationally on wood pallets should be straightforward — heat treat the wood, stamp it with the ISPM 15 mark, and ship. In practice, individual countries layer additional requirements on top of the ISPM 15 baseline that can catch exporters off guard. Customs delays, shipment rejections, and hefty fines await companies that do not research destination-specific rules before shipping.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand maintain some of the strictest biosecurity regulations in the world. Both countries require ISPM 15 compliance but add enhanced inspection protocols. Wood packaging must be completely free of bark — even small remnants can trigger rejection. Live insects of any kind, including non-pest species, result in immediate quarantine and fumigation at the importer's expense. Australia's Department of Agriculture inspects approximately 30% of incoming wood packaging, one of the highest inspection rates globally.

European Union

The EU follows ISPM 15 requirements and has fully phased out methyl bromide fumigation as an accepted treatment method. Only heat treatment (HT) is accepted. The EU also requires that the ISPM 15 stamp be legible and placed on at least two opposite sides of the pallet. Faded or illegible stamps are treated as non-compliant. Several EU member states, particularly Germany and the Netherlands, conduct additional random inspections at ports of entry.

China

China requires ISPM 15 compliance and has specific documentation requirements beyond the stamp itself. Exporters must provide a phytosanitary certificate for shipments containing wood packaging. China's customs authority (GACC) conducts enhanced inspections on shipments from countries where pest interceptions have been recorded recently. Processing times for flagged shipments can add 5-14 days to delivery schedules.

India

India requires both ISPM 15 treatment and a fumigation certificate for all wood packaging imports. This is one of the few countries that requires documentation beyond the ISPM 15 stamp itself. The fumigation certificate must specify the treatment method, chemical used (if applicable), temperature, duration, and dosage. Indian customs can reject shipments where the certificate does not match the ISPM 15 stamp details on the actual pallets.

Canada

Under the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) agreement, shipments between the United States and Canada are exempt from ISPM 15 requirements. However, this exemption only applies to pallets made from North American wood. If a pallet contains lumber sourced from outside North America, ISPM 15 treatment is required even for US-Canada shipments. Companies using imported lumber in pallet construction should verify their supply chain to avoid surprise non-compliance.

Brazil

Brazil requires ISPM 15 compliance and adds a time restriction: heat treatment must have been performed within 21 days of the export date. This is significantly shorter than most countries and can create challenges for companies that pre-treat and stockpile pallets. If your pallets were treated more than 21 days before the ship date, they must be re-treated or replaced before export to Brazil.

Practical Tips for Exporters

• Always verify destination requirements 30+ days before shipment — regulations change frequently
• Use heat treatment (HT) universally — it is accepted everywhere, while methyl bromide is restricted in many countries
• Ensure stamps are applied on at least two sides and are legible after handling
• Photograph your stamped pallets before loading as proof of compliance
• Keep treatment certificates on file for a minimum of 3 years
• Work with a certified pallet supplier who maintains their own ISPM 15 stamp authority

A single shipment held at Australian customs cost us $14,000 in storage fees and a three-week delivery delay — all because of a bark fragment smaller than a thumbnail on one pallet. Now we double-inspect every export pallet.