ISPM 15. What is it, and why is it important?

Highlights:

• United Nations adopted policy for the prevention of pests in international trade.

• Mark from certified fabricator required to reduce delays in international ports.

• Failure to use certified crate would lead to crate being rejected by customs and potentially the destruction of crate and items inside crate.

In 2002, the International Plant Protection Convention, a subsidiary of the United Nations, adopted new guidelines for wood packaging in international shipping in an effort to prevent the spread of harmful pests. The International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures includes over 40 sections for international trade, with the 15th being about the regulation of wood packaging materials.

The new guidelines established treatment protocols, regulatory oversight and processes for participating countries to send and accept packages using the new treatment protocols.

Solid wood being used for international shipping needs to be heat treated to kill any pests hiding in the wood. A fabricator of crates and pallets will receive a unique mark that they must apply to all crates and pallets being shipped internationally. The fabricator is inspected on a regular basis to ensure they are complying with all requirements of the ISPM regulations.

Pack Pro of Texas became an ISPM 15 certified facility in 20__ and is routinely inspected to ensure our compliance. Our mark is stamped on all crates and pallets that we prepare for international shipping.

Failure to use a crate without the appropriate mark would result in your package being rejected by customs and potentially destroyed. Packages with the mark are accepted by over 130 countries leading to less delays in products getting through ports.

Contact Pack Pro of Texas to create your crates and pallets for all your international shipping needs.