Patisco 貿商道
Every buyer, their own priceBuyers see only their catalog and prices, and order thereHand documents to AICards, POs, spreadsheets in; nothing written until you approveOne deal, one chainPO / PI / shipping from the confirmed quote; changes in a diff
Customer CasesReal cases and application scenariosGovernment SubsidyUp to 50% of implementation costs coveredEU compliance toolboxLook up which EU rules hit your HS code, and make a PPWR declarationInvited?Invited by a customer or supplier? Three stepsIntegrations & APIExcel / PDF, API, MCP (coming)
CompanyFAQ
Talk to us for 20 min →

ISPM 15: What to Know About Wooden Pallets and Crates for EU Export

IPPC ISPM 15Legal texts verified 2026-09-21

ISPM 15 is the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standard for wood packaging material, designed to stop pests spreading across borders in wood. If goods exported to the EU use solid-wood pallets, crates, battens or dunnage, that packaging must undergo an approved treatment (most commonly heat treatment, code HT) and carry the IPPC mark. Processed wood such as plywood, particleboard and oriented strand board, as well as plastic and paper pallets, are exempt.

Also known as: ISPM 15, wood packaging rules, IPPC stamp, heat treated pallets, pallet fumigation

Enter your HS codes to see which rules apply →

Timeline

  • In forceWooden pallets, crates and dunnage entering the EU must be treated and carry the IPPC mark

Industries affected

Machinery and heavy equipment
Often shipped in solid-wood crates with dunnage.
Every exporter shipping on wooden pallets
Pallets must carry the IPPC mark; buy from a qualified pallet maker and keep the proof.

What your EU buyer will ask for

  • The IPPC mark on wood packaging (heat treatment HT or methyl bromide fumigation MB)
  • The treatment method of wood packaging noted on the packing list; plywood and plastic pallets are exempt

What to do now

  1. Buy treated and marked pallets and crates from suppliers approved by the national authority.
  2. Check before shipping that the mark is clear and legible — if it is missing or unclear, the packaging may have to be sent back or destroyed on arrival in the EU.
  3. Note the packaging type and the treatment of any wood packaging on the packing list.
  4. Where possible, switch to plywood crates, plastic pallets or paper pallets and avoid the requirement altogether.
In development
How this data flows in Patisco

Package types on the packing list are already mapped to UN/ECE Rec. 21 standard codes; the wood packaging treatment note is still in development. This part is still in development and not yet available.

FAQ

Which packaging materials are exempt from ISPM 15?

Processed wood made with glue, heat and pressure, such as plywood, particleboard and oriented strand board (OSB); thin wood 6 mm thick or less; and plastic, metal and paper pallets and boxes.

What do HT and MB mean on the IPPC mark?

HT is heat treatment; MB is methyl bromide fumigation. Methyl bromide is banned within the EU, so for EU exports we recommend using heat-treated wood packaging only.

Legal sources

This page is based on the original EU legal texts, verified on 2026-09-21. The rules are still being amended and we review them monthly. HS classification is subject to customs rulings. This guide is meant to help you understand where you stand and is not legal advice — please confirm your actual obligations with your EU buyer and customs broker.

Not sure which rules apply to you?

Enter your HS codes and check all eight regulations at once.

Open the EU compliance toolbox →

Or talk to us for 20 minutes