ISPM-15 Heat-Treated Pallets: Canada's Export Standard Explained

If your business ships goods internationally or across the Canada-US border, ISPM-15 compliance isn't optional — it's the law. Here's everything you need to know about heat-treated pallets and why they matter.

What Is ISPM-15?

ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is a global standard established by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) that governs wood packaging material used in international trade. Its purpose is to prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases — like the Asian longhorned beetle or pine wood nematode — that can travel in untreated wood.

Which Countries Require ISPM-15?

Over 180 countries worldwide require ISPM-15, including the United States, the European Union, Australia, China, Japan, and most of Canada's major trading partners. Any wooden pallet, skid, crate, or dunnage used in an international shipment must comply — or it can be seized, destroyed, or returned at the port of entry at the shipper's expense.

How Heat Treatment Works

Heat treatment (HT) involves raising the core temperature of the wood to at least 56°C for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes in a certified kiln. This process kills any insects, larvae, or pathogens present in the wood. After treatment, the pallet is stamped with the official IPPC mark — a wheat sheaf symbol — along with a two-letter country code (CA for Canada), a unique producer registration number, and the treatment abbreviation HT.

How to Identify a Certified Pallet

Every ISPM-15 compliant pallet must bear the official mark on at least two sides. The mark is always burned or branded into the wood — never stamped with ink alone. If you are sourcing pallets for export, always ask your supplier for proof of certification and check that each pallet carries the correct mark. Serv-U-Pallets Inc. supplies ISPM-15 certified heat-treated pallets to exporters across Ontario.

Do You Need Heat-Treated Pallets for Domestic Shipping?

For shipments that stay entirely within Canada, ISPM-15 is not required. However, many large retailers, manufacturers, and logistics companies specify heat-treated pallets as a standard procurement requirement regardless of destination, due to supplier compliance policies and biosecurity best practices. When in doubt, it is always safer — and often more cost-effective in the long run — to use certified pallets.