What is the ISPM 15 standard and international export requirement?

The ISPM 15 standard for international export is an IPPC phytosanitary measure requiring raw wood packaging thicker than 6 mm to undergo certified heat treatment (HT) to prevent the global spread of forest pests and invasive species.

How does the Heat Treatment (HT) process work for ISPM 15 export compliance?

Raw timber is placed in a certified kiln where its core temperature reaches a minimum of 56°C and is maintained continuously for at least 30 minutes. This chemical-free, eco-friendly method eliminates pests while preserving the mechanical integrity of the wood.

Which wood packaging materials are exempt from the ISPM 15 standard?

Processed wood-derived materials manufactured using heat, glue, and pressure—such as plywood, OSB, particleboard, and honeycomb cardboard—are fully exempt from the ISPM 15 standard for international export.

How do you read the official ISPM 15 compliance stamp on a wooden crate?

An official ISPM 15 mark includes the IPPC wheat ear logo, the country ISO code (CA for Canada), a unique facility registration number issued by a CFIA-inspected body, and the treatment code (HT for Heat Treatment).

ISPM 15 STANDARD AND EXPORT: EVERYTHING QUEBEC MANUFACTURERS NEED TO KNOW

In the manufacturing and international logistics sector, a crate being held up in customs is a manager’s worst nightmare. A single non-compliant wooden box or pallet can lead to refusal of entry into the destination country, mandatory quarantine of the goods, or even the destruction of the cargo at the shipper’s expense.

To secure your global supply chains, international regulations mandate strict adherence to the ISPM 15 standard.

At PEB Packaging, we design and manufacture custom-made wooden crates and boxes that rigorously comply with international phytosanitary requirements. Here’s everything you need to know to export your goods with complete peace of mind.

What is ISPM 15?

International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15) was established by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Its main objective is to prevent the spread of harmful organisms (such as the Asian longhorned beetle or the emerald ash borer) from one continent to another via raw wood packaging.

It applies to all untreated wooden packaging over 6 mm thick used for international transport:

Wooden crates and boxes
Pallets and wedges
Dunnage and support structures

Important note for export: Wood-derived materials that have undergone a heat and pressure transformation process (such as plywood, OSB board or honeycomb cardboard) are exempt from ISPM 15.

Heat Treatment (HT): How does the process work?

To ensure the wood meets specifications, it must undergo an approved treatment before your crates are assembled. At PEB Packaging, we favor heat treatment (HT), an environmentally friendly, effective, and chemical-free method.

The strict requirements of heat treatment:

Core temperature: Raw wood must be placed in a certified kiln where the core temperature reaches a minimum of 56°C.
Continuous duration: This temperature must be maintained without interruption for at least 30 minutes.
Traceability: Each batch of treated wood is recorded and documented to ensure complete traceability during compliance audits by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Unlike the older methyl bromide (MB) impregnation process, which is now severely restricted, heat treatment does not alter the wood’s mechanical strength and leaves no toxic residue on your products.

How to read the official stamp on an PEB crate?

Once the wood is treated and the crate is assembled, an official stamp must be clearly, legibly, and permanently applied to at least two opposite sides of the packaging.

This official mark is your crate’s “passport” to international customs. Here’s how to decipher the compliant marking applied by PEB Packaging:

The IPPC/IPVP symbol (left): The official wheat ear logo certifying international conformity.

CA: The ISO country code (Canada).

0000 (Registration Number): The unique accreditation number assigned to the manufacturer by the certification body under the supervision of the CFIA. This number guarantees that the packaging comes from an audited facility.

HT: The code for the heat treatment applied (Heat Treatment for heat treatment).

Which countries require the ISPM 15 standard?

Today, almost all major global trading powers strictly adhere to the ISPM 15 standard.

Summary list of requirements by region:

Region / Continent	Application of the ISMP 15	Clarifications for Queb
North America: Mexico	Mandatory	Applied strictly to land and sea borders.
European Union (EU)	Mandatory	Systematic checks in all European ports of entry.
Asia (China, Japan, Korea, India)	Mandatory	Rigorously inspected; risk of return of the container if forgotten.
South America & Oceania	Mandatory	Very strict rules (particularly in Australia and New Zealand).

Why choose PEB Packaging for your export packaging?

Exporting industrial equipment, aircraft parts, or heavy machinery requires a packaging partner who understands the importance of global compliance.

100% Compliance Guaranteed: All our wooden crates for international shipments rigorously meet Canadian and CFIA international standards.
Custom Design: We design the internal structure (insulation, VCI anti-corrosion protection, waterproof covers) concurrently with the wood treatment.

Are you planning an international shipment?

Don’t let regulatory uncertainty hold up your goods abroad. Contact our experts for a compliant, custom-made crate.

Request a quote for your ISPM 15 certified enclosures