Wood packaging import rules: Iceland

ISPM 15 on imports

Required

Enforced since

—

Treatments

HT, MB, DH, SF per ISPM 15

Plant protection authority

Matvælastofnun (MAST, Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority)

Common pallet sizes

1200 × 800 mm (EUR)
1200 × 1000 mm

Main ports

Reykjavík (Sundahöfn), Straumsvík, Reyðarfjörður, Akureyri

Overview

Iceland requires wood packaging used in imports to meet ISPM 15. The national plant protection organisation is Matvælastofnun, MAST, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, which handles border inspection of plant material and other regulated articles. Iceland belongs to the European Economic Area, but plant health is not fully in the EEA's scope for trade in goods, so the framework is national, though shaped by European practice. I did not verify the exact legal act or the start year of enforcement, so that field is blank. Because Iceland is an island with no land borders, every consignment passes by sea or air. Sundahöfn in Reykjavík is the main container and general cargo port, run by Faxaflóahafnir, with weekly liner services to Rotterdam, Immingham and Aarhus, and to North America. Straumsvík and Reyðarfjörður are mainly industrial ports for aluminium smelters, importing alumina and exporting metal, and Akureyri takes coastal and some foreign cargo. Cold climate and long sea routes mean packaging pest risk is considered mainly in relation to timber moving from Europe. Packaging found unmarked or infested may be treated, destroyed or returned. In the pallet market, the 1200 × 800 mm EUR pallet is the standard for grocery distribution, and 1200 × 1000 mm pallets appear in fisheries, industry and imported goods from the United Kingdom. Heavy exports of fish products create demand for stamped pallets.

Key points

• EEA member, but plant health rules are largely national and administered by MAST
• Island: all cargo arrives by sea or air, with Sundahöfn the dominant container port
• Aluminium smelters at Straumsvík and Reyðarfjörður drive bulk shipping
• Start year and national legal act for ISPM 15 not verified

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Matvælastofnun (MAST), Iceland
2. IPPC – ISPMs index (ISPM 15)

Import rules change. Confirm current requirements with the national plant protection organization or your importer before shipping. This page is general information, not legal advice.