Wood Packaging Materials in International Export: Compliance and Best Practices

Wood packaging material (WPM) is an almost invisible but extremely important consideration for your shipping operation. WPM is used to ship goods and safely brace and bear the weight of materials in drums, cases, super sacks, pails and others. It’s easy to overlook how WPM can also carry uninvited guests hiding in a pallet or other wood materials to your clientele overseas along with the products you are shipping, causing huge financial losses and damage to buildings, infrastructure and forests. Below is an outline for protecting the clients you serve and complying with international regulations to avoid trade disruptions, damage and loss.

What Is Wood Packaging Materials (WPM)?

Let’s define our terms and what exactly constitutes WPM. From U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): 

Wood packaging material is defined as wood or wood products (excluding paper products) used for supporting, protecting, or carrying cargo, including, but not limited to, dunnage, crating, pallets, packing blocks, drums, cases, or skids. 

Most-Used WPM

• Pallets: Commonly used for their cost-effectiveness, strength and stackability.
• Crates: All the benefits of pallets, but also more resistant to accidental mishandling and impacts. Crates are often required to ship via air freight to help protect airplanes and their systems. 
• Wood dunnage: Used in container shipping to brace and protect cargo, among other things. It can be used to create barriers and supports to keep cargo secure.

WPM Exclusions 

WPM does not include: 

• Manufactured wood products, such as plywood, particle board and fiberboard.
• Loose wood materials, such as shavings and excelsior.
• Paper products.

The Importance of Compliance

The use of WPM, despite its benefits, comes with some risks to local ecosystems and infrastructure. Non-local pests can be introduced and cause significant financial damage. 

In the 1990s, the Asian Longhorn Beetle was accidentally introduced into the U.S. from wood materials used in shipments from China, which caused extensive damage to hardwood trees in many U.S. states. According to one study, the cost to eradicate and manage this pest could cost over $660 billion. Termites, Pinewood Nematodes and Emerald Ash Borers have also caused damages in the billions of dollars.

Complying with the current world standard for treated pallets, ISPM 15, will help mitigate the severe risk of damage and financial loss. Noncompliance can result in delays, rejections and re-exportation costs.

International WPM Regulations: ISPM 15

ISPM 15, or International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 15, is a set of guidelines for treating WPM to prevent the spread of pests and disease. It requires that wood packaging be debarked, heat-treated or fumigated to eliminate pests and disease. Wood packaging must be stamped with the ISPM 15 logo to signify that it’s been treated to meet the standard.

In addition, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates imported wood packaging material in the United States using ISPM 15.

Treatment Methods: Heat Treatment (HT) and Fumigation

Heat Treatment 

• Pallets are heated in a kiln to a minimum temperature of 56°C (132.8°F) for at least 30 minutes.
• Heat treatment sterilizes the wood, preventing insects, bacteria and other contaminants.
• Pallets with an "HT" stamp have been heat treated. 
• Heat treatment is required for international shipments to comply with regulations and avoid fines.

Fumigation 

Pallets are treated with chemicals like methyl bromide (MB) or sulfuryl fluoride (SF).

Marking: Using the IPPC Stamp for Compliance Verification

What Does a WPM Stamp Include? 

• IPPC logo: The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo
• Country code: A two-letter ISO country abbreviation 
• Facility code: A unique number assigned to the manufacturer's facility
• Treatment type: "HT" for heat treatment or "MB" for methyl bromide fumigation

Where Is the WPM Stamp Placed?

• The stamp must be placed in a visible location on the WPM.
• The stamp must be visible even if strapping is applied.
• The stamp must be placed in two opposite locations.

Documents Needed to Prove WPM Compliance

Treatment records

• Treatment Records: Companies should maintain records of the treatment process, including kiln chamber charts for heat treatment, to demonstrate compliance if needed. 
• Certification from Treatment Facility: A certificate from the facility that treated the wood, verifying their compliance with ISPM 15 regulations. 
• Fumigation Certificate: Must include statements confirming the fumigation process meets standards for plastic wrapping, impervious surfaces and timber thickness. You may need to provide a fumigation certificate even if you aren’t shipping WPM to certify for the importing country that the packaging doesn’t require it—such as plastic and metal IBC Totes for one example.
• Phytosanitary Certificates: You typically need a phytosanitary certificate when exporting or importing plants and plant products, but for WPM it’s only if they are the cargo. Obtain a certificate from APHIS.

In most cases, no additional documents beyond the visible marking are necessary to prove ISPM 15 compliance, but the countries listed below may require fumigation or phytosanitary certificates.

Countries Requiring a Fumigation Certificate and ISPM 15 Compliance

• Australia
• China
• India

Countries Requiring a Phytosanitary Certificate and ISPM 15 Compliance

• Canada
• European Union (all member countries)
• Japan
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• South Korea
• United States

Notable Exception

The United States and Canada have a mutual exemption from ISPM 15 regulations for wood packaging materials (WPM) that originate within their borders. When WPM are shipped between these two countries, they do not need to be treated or marked to meet ISPM standards.

Alternatives to Wood Packaging

For exporters looking to avoid ISPM 15 compliance challenges, alternative packaging materials can be a solution. 

• Cardboard: Heavy-duty cardboard is a strong, reinforced option that's recyclable and cost-effective.
• Plastic: Plastic skids and pallets are durable and hygienic.
• Metal: Steel, aluminum and wire mesh pallets are durable and hygienic.
• Particleboard: An alternative to solid wood packaging.
• Plywood: An alternative to solid wood packaging.
• Oriented strand board: An alternative to solid wood packaging.

All alternatives can meet international shipping standards, but plastic and metal pallets are not subject to ISPM regulations, making them easier to use for international trade.

Best Practices for Exporters

• Regular Training: Staff must be trained on WPM to ensure they adhere to ISPM 15 guidance on shipping these materials. ISPM 15 guides and training materials are available on the IPPC website.
• Supplier Relationships: It’s important to work with certified suppliers for WPM.
• Inspection and Quality Control: Regular checks to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Staying Updated: How to keep abreast of changes in international regulations.

To stay updated on ISPM 15 guidelines, check the official International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) website, contact your local National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) for country-specific updates, and work with a reputable supplier who stays informed on ISPM 15 changes.

The Cost of Non-Compliance: A Real-World Example

On the same day I wrote this article, a company I work with neglected to use an ISPM 15-treated pallet for an international ocean shipment. The freight forwarder informed me about this oversight, resulting in a delayed shipment and several hundred dollars in repalleting fees. This incident underscores the critical importance of compliance. Shipper beware. 

Compliance with wood packaging regulations, primarily governed by the ISPM 15 standard, is crucial for international trade. It prevents the spread of invasive pests across borders by ensuring that wood packaging materials like crates and pallets are treated to eliminate harmful pests. Thus, it protects ecosystems and facilitates smooth customs clearance, avoiding delays, fines and potential shipment rejections due to non-compliance.

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