What Happens When Your Wood Packaging Isn’t ISPM-15 Compliant?

In the packaging and transportation industries, there are a wide array of regulations that contractors and manufacturers must follow.

While they can seem complicated, it is essential that they’re followed. Among some of these regulations is ISPM-15, a standard that exists specifically for certain types of wooden packaging.

What Is ISPM-15?

ISPM-15 refers to the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. It’s a regulatory document developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

The standard exists to ensure pest-free, disease-free international shipments of solid wood materials.  Shipping contaminated boxes has been shown to detrimentally impact ecosystems in countries receiving defiled wood.

Standards implemented by the ISPM-15 cover storage areas, aircraft, containers, vessels, soil, and anything else that could contain and spread insects and diseases.

Current Countries Participating in ISPM-15

As the name states, ISPM is an international requirement. However, not all countries require ISPM-15 compliance. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, when shipping goods from the United States, the following countries require ISPM-15 compliance:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Bermuda
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• European Union
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• India
• Indonesia
• Israel
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Korea
• Lebanon
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• Nigeria
• Norway
• Oman
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Seychelles
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• Syria
• Taiwan
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• Venezuela
• Vietnam

ISPM-15 Requirements

This standard outlines various requirements to reduce pest risks for wood packaging materials (WPMs) that exceed six millimeters in thickness and are used for export purposes, with the exception of processed wood material, including plywood, oriented strand board, fiberboard, press board, and cardboard.

Debarked Wood

The first requirement outlined in ISPM-15 is that all regulated WPM must be made from debarked wood. Compliant wood will contain no more than 3 cm of bark in width or, if exceeding 3 cm in width, shall be no more than 50 sq cm.

Pest Treatment Methods

The second requirement is treating the wood. ISPM-15 recognizes three treatments:

1. Conventional heat treating, where the wood is heated within a kiln to 133 degrees Fahrenheit/56 degrees Celsius for 30 continuous minutes.
2. Dielectric heating (most effective wavelength is 2.45 GHz), where the material is heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit/60 degrees Celsius for 60 seconds.
3. Fumigation with methyl bromide.

Oversight & Approval

Only an NPPO (national plant protection organization) or an organization authorized by the NPPO are allowed to approve the use of an ISPM-15 mark. Per guidelines, the approval system used by the NPPO or authorized organization should:

• Verify that the treatment (heat treatment, dielectric heating, or fumigation) was carried out in accordance to the guidelines.
• Verify that the WPM complies with the bark tolerances.
• Ensure the ISPM-15 mark is ONLY applied to packaging made with treated wood or wood that has undergone the approved treatment methods.
• Ensure the mark from the approved facility isn’t transferred to another facility.
• Ensure any untreated wood/materials that will be used to construct packaging are quarantined and always separate from treated materials.
• Have examples of marks and lists of approved facilities readily available for importing countries.
• Ensure non-compliance is promptly corrected.
• Develop an auditing and inspection program.

Markings

Per ISPM-15 requirements, the marking on the WPMs must contain:

• The IPPC symbol (unaltered)
• The two-letter country code designated by ISO
• The IPPC abbreviation for the treatment method used (e.g. MB for methyl bromide or HT for heat treatment)
• The control numbers of letters of NPPO-authorized facility

There is no size requirement for the mark, unless otherwise noted by the NPPO, but the mark must be highly visible on the packaging. ISPM-15 requirements prefer that the mark appear twice on opposite exterior sides of the packaging.

When Do You Need to Be ISPM-15 Compliant?

ISPM-15 standards must be applied to all WPMs, including collars, dunnage, reels, pallets, crates, and bracing, unless it was created with adhesives, pressure, heat, or any combination of these three manufacturing methods. Exempt WPMs include:

• Processed Wood Materials (Hardboard, Plywood, etc.)
• Heat-Treated Barrels
• Sawdust
• Packaging Less Than 6mm in Thickness

The Consequences of Not Staying ISPM-15 Compliant

Although non-compliance with ISPM-15 regulations is handled differently in countries, the penalties for noncompliance involve similar damages. These retributions include:

1. Penalties enforced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (applicable to shipments within and coming to the U.S.). If a wood packaging violation is issued in the form of an Emergency Action Notification (EAN), the company responsible for the shipment must address the EAN within a suitable time frame or the shipment could be delayed.
2. Immediate exportation of non-compliant WPMs that are trying to enter the U.S. The shipment will be sent back to the country from where it was originally shipped and denied entry to the U.S. until WPMs are ISPM-15 compliant.

If non-compliant packaging manages to leave the U.S. and reaches its destination, the WPMs will be subjected to that country’s regulations regarding ISPM-15. Some countries may ship the package back to the U.S. or simply fumigate the whole shipment.

However, businesses that knowingly export non-compliant WPMs are putting their shipments at risk. When you send noncompliant packages, you’re increasing the risk of costly damage due to contamination and shipment delays that may ultimately keep you from hitting your deadline.

How to Stay Compliant

If you’re concerned about compliance, the best decision you can make is to partner with an NPPO-approved facility, like Export Corporation. Founded over 80 years ago, we provide custom packaging solutions to manufacturers in the military, aerospace, automotive, and commercial sectors. We have many years of expertise in packaging requirements, including ISPM-15, and can help you understand how to stay ISPM-15 compliant.

To request a consultation or to learn more about our services, please fill out our online form today.