- ISPM 15 on imports
- Required
- Enforced since
- —
- Treatments
- HT, MB, DH, SF (ISPM 15 list)
- Plant protection authority
- Direction Générale de la Protection et du Contrôle de la Qualité des Produits Agricoles (DGPCQPA), Ministry of Agriculture
- Common pallet sizes
- 1200 × 800 mm (EUR)
1200 × 1000 mm - Main ports
- Radès, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse
Overview
Tunisia is listed in the Australian ISPM 15 table as enforcing the standard, though the entry rests on an unofficial communication with the IPPC and gives no start year, so I leave the year blank. Imported wood packaging should therefore be debarked, treated and IPPC-marked. Plant health controls fall to the Direction Générale de la Protection et du Contrôle de la Qualité des Produits Agricoles in the agriculture ministry, with inspectors at ports and border posts. Radès, near Tunis, handles most container cargo and ro-ro traffic, while La Goulette, Sfax and Sousse cover additional goods. Because Tunisia's trade is oriented heavily towards France, Italy and Germany, the European 1200 × 800 mm pallet is widely seen, and Tunisian manufacturers in sectors like automotive wiring, textiles and food export to the EU on EUR-style or customer-specific pallets. Where exports to the EU use wood packaging, the EU's own ISPM 15 requirement applies on arrival, so many Tunisian pallet makers treat and stamp their output. Asian cargo comes mostly on 1200 × 1000 mm pallets. I did not verify a national pooling operator or penalties, so importers should keep treatment documentation on hand.
Key points
- Australian table notes Tunisia as 'enforced' via unofficial communication with the IPPC; no start year published
- Strong trade link with the EU means EUR pallets are common
- Phytosanitary border inspection by agriculture ministry
Frequently asked questions
Does Tunisia require ISPM 15 for wooden pallets?
Yes, according to the Australian implementation table, though the start year is not published.
Why are EUR pallets common in Tunisia?
Trade is strongly oriented towards EU partners, particularly France, Italy and Germany.
Do Tunisian pallets going to the EU need a stamp?
Yes. The EU requires ISPM 15 marking on wood packaging from third countries.
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.