Wood packaging import rules: United States

ISPM 15 on imports

Required

Enforced since

2005

Treatments

HT, MB, DH, SF (ISPM 15 methods; USDA APHIS lists the accepted treatments and stamp format)

Plant protection authority

USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine; border inspection by CBP agriculture specialists

Common pallet sizes

48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm) GMA pallet
1200 × 1000 mm
42 × 42 in and 48 × 48 in drum and special pallets
40 × 48 in with CHEP and PECO pooled stock

Main ports

Los Angeles / Long Beach, New York / New Jersey, Savannah, Houston

Overview

The United States regulates wood packaging material under 7 CFR 319.40-3, administered by USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine. Imported pallets, crates and dunnage must be treated to ISPM 15 and bear the IPPC mark, which includes the country code, a producer or treatment-provider number and the treatment symbol. U.S. enforcement of ISPM 15 began in 2005, and APHIS has been tightening the rules for marks since then. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists do the physical inspection at sea, air and land entries on APHIS's behalf. If a shipment arrives with unmarked or infested wood, the usual consequence is that the whole consignment is refused, re-exported, or treated at the importer's cost, and repeated findings can lead to increased inspection of cargo from the same exporter. Wood packaging from Canada is exempt, which keeps North American trade flowing, while goods from Mexico must meet ISPM 15 like all other origins. The pallet market is the most standardised in the world: the 48 × 40 inch GMA pallet is the dominant platform for grocery and consumer goods, with 1200 × 1000 mm common in imports and exports. Rental pooling is established, with CHEP's blue pallets and PECO's red pallets widely used in retail and food supply chains, alongside a very large market in new and recycled white-wood pallets. Many importers specify that the pallet be ISPM 15 stamped even for domestic use, so goods can be re-exported without re-treatment.

Key points

• Regulation sits in 7 CFR 319.40-3; CBP agriculture specialists inspect at the border for APHIS
• WPM from Canada is exempt when it originates there and moves between the two countries
• Non-compliant WPM is refused entry, re-exported or treated, and the importer pays
• Pests found in WPM trigger intensified inspection of that exporter's cargo

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. USDA APHIS – Import ISPM 15-Compliant Wood Packaging Material into the United States
2. USDA APHIS – Countries That Require ISPM-15 Compliant Wood Packaging

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.