Wood packaging import rules: Israel

ISPM 15 on imports

Required

Enforced since

—

Treatments

HT, MB (ISPM 15)

Plant protection authority

Plant Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Common pallet sizes

1200 × 1000 mm
1200 × 800 mm (EUR)
Pooled returnable plastic pallets in grocery distribution

Main ports

Haifa, Ashdod, Eilat, Haifa Bay (Carmel)

Overview

Israel is listed on both the New Zealand MPI and the USDA APHIS tables as requiring ISPM 15 compliant wood packaging, and it is one of the more actively enforcing countries in the region. Plant quarantine belongs to the Plant Protection and Inspection Services, a unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, whose inspectors work at the seaports, at Ben Gurion airport and at land crossings. I could not retrieve the legislation and could not confirm the year when the requirement began, so the year is left blank. The principal gateways for container cargo are Haifa on the northern coast and Ashdod in the south, with Eilat on the Red Sea serving mostly vehicle imports and Asian trade, and a private port at Haifa Bay opened in 2021 alongside Ashdod's new southern port terminal operated by a separate company. Wood packaging that is unmarked, wrongly marked or carrying pests can be ordered treated, destroyed or re-exported. Pallet practice is more complex than in neighbouring states. Retail and industry rely on 1200 × 800 mm EUR and 1200 × 1000 mm pallets, with the latter prominent in goods from the United States, and grocery distribution uses returnable plastic pallets in some chains. Israel's market is closely integrated with European supply, so EUR pallets are common, but I could not verify a national EPAL or CHEP pool. Importers should request stamped, heat-treated wood from every supplier.

Key points

• Listed as requiring ISPM 15 on both NZ MPI and USDA APHIS tables
• PPIS inspects at seaports and Ben Gurion airport
• PPIS has strong pest-risk practice and may impose treatment or re-export
• Ports of Haifa and Ashdod carry most container cargo

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. New Zealand MPI – ISPM 15 requirements by country
2. USDA APHIS – Countries requiring ISPM 15 wood packaging
3. IPPC country page – Israel

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.