- ISPM 15 on imports
- Partly applied
- Enforced since
- —
- Treatments
- HT, MB, DH, SF per ISPM 15; marked WPM expected
- Plant protection authority
- Department of Plant Protection (DPP), Ministry of National Food Security and Research
- Common pallet sizes
- 1200 × 1000 mm
1200 × 800 mm
1100 × 1100 mm - Main ports
- Karachi, Port Qasim, Gwadar
Overview
Pakistan's plant quarantine service is the Department of Plant Protection, which the IPPC lists with a contact in Karachi, the country's main gateway. Pakistan is a contracting party to the IPPC and is therefore expected to treat wood packaging material according to ISPM 15, but we could not confirm a stand-alone, publicly available import rule that spells out mandatory marking, a start year or a penalty scale for pallets and crates. For that reason this entry is marked partial rather than yes. In practice, most containerised cargo reaching Karachi and Port Qasim arrives on wood that was treated and stamped at origin, because Chinese, Gulf, European and US shippers are bound by their own export rules. Port quarantine officers can inspect consignments, and plant material found infested can be fumigated, with the cost falling on the consignee. Pallet use in Pakistan is much less standardised than in Europe. Industrial exporters in textiles, rice and sports goods tend to use 1200 × 1000 mm or 1200 × 800 mm pallets, while a great deal of domestic distribution relies on hand loading, sacks and locally made, unmarked wooden skids. No national pooling scheme comparable to CHEP or EPAL was verified. Anyone shipping to Pakistan should still use heat-treated, IPPC-marked pallets, since unmarked wood is the likeliest source of delay if a port inspector decides to check.
Key points
- Plant quarantine is run by the Department of Plant Protection, whose IPPC contact sits in Karachi
- Written WPM rules are hard to find online; practical checks at ports vary by cargo
- Importers should assume an IPPC mark is requested by the exporting country's side and carry it regardless
- Exports of Pakistani goods to ISPM 15 countries need HT-marked pallets
Frequently asked questions
Does Pakistan require ISPM 15 for wooden pallets?
Pakistan is expected to follow ISPM 15 as an IPPC member, but a detailed public import rule could not be confirmed. Shippers should use marked, heat-treated pallets to avoid delays.
Who is Pakistan's plant quarantine authority?
The Department of Plant Protection, which carries out quarantine inspection at ports such as Karachi.
Which pallet size is most common in Pakistan?
1200 × 1000 mm and 1200 × 800 mm are the sizes seen in export-oriented industry; usage is far less standardised than in Europe.
Sources
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.