Import rules · European Union

Wood packaging import rules: Luxembourg

Luxembourg: ISPM 15 status for pallets and crates, approved treatments, the plant protection authority, common pallet sizes and main ports.

Last checked: 2026-10
ISPM 15 on imports
Required
Enforced since
2005
Treatments
HT, DH, SF accepted; MB-marked WPM accepted if ISPM 15 compliant, but MB fumigation is no longer permitted inside the EU
Plant protection authority
Administration des services techniques de l'agriculture (ASTA) – plant protection service
Common pallet sizes
1200 × 800 mm (EUR/EPAL)
1200 × 1000 mm
800 × 600 mm (half pallet)
Main ports
Mertert (Moselle river port), Bettembourg-Dudelange intermodal terminal (rail), Luxembourg-Findel airport, Antwerp (via Belgium)

Overview

Luxembourg has no national wood-packaging law of its own; it applies the EU plant health regime. Wood packaging material entering from outside the Union must be debarked, treated by an ISPM 15 method and bear the IPPC mark, under Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 and Annex VII of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, in force for third-country packaging since 1 March 2005. The competent authority is the plant protection service within ASTA, the agricultural technical services administration, which works with customs on the rare occasions that goods are cleared inland. Because the Grand Duchy has no seaport, a container from Asia normally passes its first EU phytosanitary and customs control in Antwerp or Rotterdam and then travels under transit to Bettembourg-Dudelange, the rail terminal south of the capital, or to Mertert on the Moselle, which handles bulk and some project cargo. Air freight through Findel is the other direct entry point. Pallets inside the EU circulate without an ISPM 15 stamp, so the practical risk for Luxembourg importers lies in goods arriving in transit from Belgium or Germany that have not yet been inspected. A non-compliant crate can be treated, destroyed or returned at the importer's expense. The pallet market follows its neighbours: the 1200 × 800 mm EUR pallet dominates retail and logistics, with 1200 × 1000 mm pallets in industrial and chemical flows, and exchange pallets circulate with Belgian, French and German partners.

Key points

  • Landlocked: most sea freight is cleared at Antwerp, Rotterdam or other first EU entry points, so Luxembourg checks mainly concern road, rail and air arrivals
  • Intra-EU movements of WPM generally exempt from ISPM 15 marking
  • Non-compliant third-country WPM can be treated, destroyed or returned at the importer's cost
  • Minimum 15% WPM check rate applies to specified goods from China, India and Belarus (Reg. (EU) 2024/288)

Frequently asked questions

Does Luxembourg require ISPM 15 for wooden pallets?

Yes, for wood packaging arriving from outside the EU. It must be debarked, treated and carry the IPPC mark. Movements within the EU do not require the mark.

Who enforces wood packaging rules in Luxembourg?

The plant protection service of ASTA, together with customs. Sea freight is usually inspected first at Antwerp or Rotterdam.

Can I ship pallets from Belgium or Germany without a stamp?

Generally yes, because intra-EU movements of WPM are exempt from ISPM 15 marking. Pallets that originate outside the EU still need to have been compliant on entry.

Sources

  1. IPPC country page – Luxembourg
  2. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 (EUR-Lex)
  3. 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.