- ISPM 15 on imports
- Required
- Enforced since
- —
- Treatments
- HT, MB, DH, SF (ISPM 15 approved treatments)
- Plant protection authority
- Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation – General Directorate of Plant Protection
- Common pallet sizes
- 1200 × 1000 mm
1200 × 800 mm - Main ports
- Aden, Hodeidah, Mukalla, Saleef
Overview
Yemen has officially announced on the IPPC site that it will use ISPM 15 for regulating wood packaging material in international trade (a phytosanitary-requirements entry first published in November 2007), so the status is recorded as yes. The entry gives no implementation date or legal text, Yemen is absent from the Australian table of national start dates, and actual enforcement is uncertain given the conflict, so confirm with the receiving agent. Plant protection responsibility sits with the General Directorate of Plant Protection in the agriculture ministry. Since 2015 the practical situation is complicated by the conflict and divided administration: Hodeidah is controlled by the Houthi authorities, whereas Aden is under the internationally recognised government's side, and inspections, fees and paperwork may differ between them. Much of the country's imported cargo is food, fuel and relief supplies, frequently on pallets of 1200 × 1000 mm or 1200 × 800 mm, though loose or floor-loaded cargo is also common. No pooling system is known. Shippers should regard the requirement as unclear, ask the receiving agent what the local port expects, and use ISPM 15-marked wood anyway, which also protects transit through neighbouring ports such as Djibouti or Jeddah.
Key points
- Yemen announced use of ISPM 15 in an IPPC reporting item; enforcement in practice is uncertain because of the conflict
- Hodeidah and Aden ports fall under different authorities
Frequently asked questions
Does Yemen require ISPM 15 for wooden pallets?
Yes, on paper. Yemen announced on the IPPC site that it will use ISPM 15 to regulate wood packaging in international trade, but no enforcement date or rules were found, so confirm locally.
Do Yemen's ports apply the same rules?
Not necessarily. Hodeidah and Aden are under different authorities, so ask your agent about the entry port.
What is the safest approach?
Use heat-treated, IPPC-marked pallets and keep the treatment evidence with the shipping documents.
Sources
- IPPC – Yemen reporting obligation: ISPM 15 for regulating wood packaging material
- Australian Dept of Agriculture – ISPM 15 implementation dates by country
- IPPC country page – Yemen
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.