Preface:

The core requirement of the ISPM-15 standard is very clear: all solid wood packaging materials used in international trade must undergo approved phytosanitary treatment and be marked with an official certification mark.

The purpose of this regulation is to effectively kill live pests that may be carried in wood through standardized treatment procedures, thereby protecting the forest resources and ecological security of importing countries.

Important APHIS Update on WPM

Starting January 1, 2026, APHIS and CBP will resume enforcement of the marking requirements in ISPM-15 Annex 2, namely that a hyphen (-) must be used to separate the country code and the treatment facility code.

For example: A correct U.S. mark should be "US-123456-HT".

In 2025, APHIS and CBP temporarily suspended penalties for marks missing hyphens, but this grace period will end on December 31, 2025, after which there will be no transition period.

ISPM15 Mark Requirements and Structure

Wood packaging that has undergone compliant treatment must bear permanent IPPC marks on at least two opposite, clearly visible sides.

A complete IPPC mark must contain the following elements:

1. IPPC-specific symbol: Wheat ear pattern on the left, "IPPC" text on the right

2. ISO country code: For example, VN represents Vietnam, US represents the United States

3. Treatment facility code: A unique code assigned to treatment facilities by each country's National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)

4. Treatment method: Abbreviated as HT (Heat Treatment) or MB (Methyl Bromide)

Example Diagrams:

The following examples show some acceptable variations of the required components of marks used to certify that wood packaging materials bearing such marks have undergone approved treatment:

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

Example 4:

Example 5:

Example 6:

Note:

ISPM15 marks must not only be structurally correct but also clearly visible and durable. They must not be hand-drawn, should avoid using red or orange, and must not contain any other information within the mark boundary. If additional information is needed, it can be placed near but outside the mark boundary.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

If CBP discovers non-compliant WPM at a port of entry (such as no marking, non-compliant marking, discovery of live pests, or excessive bark), an emergency action notification will be issued, and one or more of the following measures may be taken:

-  Immediate export: The entire shipment (including goods and packaging) will be refused entry and required to be immediately returned to the exporting country.

-  On-site treatment: In some cases, non-compliant wood packaging may be allowed to be treated or replaced at the port, but this is usually costly and time-consuming.

-  Destruction: If return or treatment is not possible, the goods and packaging will be destroyed.

All of the above costs are borne by the importer.

In addition to the above direct handling costs, non-compliance can also lead to serious economic losses, including hefty fines, demurrage charges, production delays, and damage to corporate reputation.

Scope of ISPM 15 Application

The ISPM15 standard specifies wood treatment methods, such as heat treatment (HT) or fumigation with methyl bromide (MB) gas to kill pathogens. Treated wood must be stamped with the ISPM15 seal and provide information on the country/region, manufacturer, and treatment method.

According to APHIS regulations, regulated wood packaging materials (WPM) cover a wide range, mainly including but not limited to the following solid wood products used to support, protect, or carry goods:

-  Pallets

-  Dunnage, Skids

-  Crates, Boxes

-  Reels, Drums

-  Load boards

-  Pallet collars

Including but not limited to wooden pallets used to support and transport goods, wooden crates used to protect large goods, dunnage that helps secure goods in containers, wooden cable reels, wooden spools, or similar wooden structures.

Scope of ISPM 15 Exemptions

Not all wood must comply with the ISPM15 standard. Some materials are exempt because they have undergone industrial processing and no longer pose a risk of carrying pathogens, such as:

-  Packaging made entirely of thin wood (thickness less than or equal to 6 millimeters).

-  Engineered wood panels or processed wood products, such as:

    -  Plywood

    -  Particle board

    -  Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

    -  Fiberboard

-  Materials made using glue, heat, or pressure processes during production, such as presswood pallets.

-  Barrels used to hold wine or spirits, as they have been heated during the manufacturing process.

-  Materials such as sawdust, wood shavings, and wood wool used as fillers.

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