- ISPM 15 on imports
- Required
- Enforced since
- —
- Treatments
- HT, MB, DH, SF (ISPM 15 approved treatments)
- Plant protection authority
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), Agricultural Quarantine
- Common pallet sizes
- 1200 × 1000 mm
1200 × 800 mm (EUR)
Plastic pallets 1200 × 1000 mm in food and beverage - Main ports
- Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam, Jubail Commercial Port, King Abdullah Port
Overview
Saudi Arabia is a contracting party to the IPPC, and agricultural quarantine falls under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Germany Trade & Invest reported on 15 July 2024 that Saudi Arabia announced, by ministerial decree notified to the WTO, that it will apply ISPM 15 to wood packaging used in international freight, with heat treatment, methyl bromide fumigation or dielectric heating and an official mark; the WTO comment period closed on 9 August 2024. The status is therefore recorded as yes, though the kingdom is absent from the older NZ MPI and USDA APHIS lists, we did not read the decree, and the exact enforcement date should be confirmed with the NPPO. Practically, exporters send marked pallets to Saudi Arabia as a matter of course, since quarantine officers at the ports can inspect wood packaging and since many consignments are routed from Gulf hubs which expect treatment. Imports arrive mostly through Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea, King Abdulaziz Port at Dammam on the Gulf, Jubail, and King Abdullah Port at Rabigh, with road transit from the UAE and Bahrain across the causeway. Imports are large, including food, vehicles, machinery and equipment for giga-projects such as NEOM and Red Sea Global, much of it crated with treated wood. The pallet market uses 1200 × 1000 mm heavily, especially in food, beverage and dairy supply chains, where plastic pallets of that size are common, alongside 1200 × 800 mm EUR pallets in European-sourced goods. Pooling operators are present in the Gulf, but I could not verify a specific Saudi service. Confirm current requirements with the consignee.
Key points
- Saudi Arabia announced by ministerial decree, notified to the WTO, that it applies ISPM 15 (reported by GTAI, July 2024); confirm the enforcement date with the NPPO
- Port inspections are carried out by agricultural quarantine
- Heavy project-cargo imports make crates and skids common
Frequently asked questions
Does Saudi Arabia require ISPM 15 for wooden pallets?
Yes. Saudi Arabia announced by ministerial decree, notified to the WTO in July 2024, that it will apply ISPM 15 to wood packaging. Confirm the enforcement date with the importer.
Which ports are important for pallets in Saudi Arabia?
Jeddah, Dammam, Jubail and King Abdullah Port at Rabigh.
What pallet size is most common in Saudi Arabia?
1200 × 1000 mm, with 1200 × 800 mm EUR pallets also common.
Sources
- IHK Heilbronn-Franken – Saudi-Arabien kündigt Anwendung von ISPM 15 an (search result only, not opened)
- New Zealand MPI – ISPM 15 requirements by country
- USDA APHIS – Countries requiring ISPM 15 wood packaging
- GTAI – Saudi-Arabien kündigt Anwendung von ISPM 15 für Holzverpackung an
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.