Reading the ISPM 15 stamp
An ISPM 15 stamp is a short mark, often called the wheat stamp, that shows a wood pallet was debarked and either heat treated or fumigated. Each part of it says something.
The parts of the mark, left to right
| Part | What it is | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| The IPPC symbol | A small wheat-ear symbol | The International Plant Protection Convention's mark of compliance. It is why the stamp is called the wheat stamp. |
| Two letters | The ISO country code, such as US, AU or GB | Where the wood packaging was treated or made. |
| A producer number | A unique certification number issued to the treatment provider or manufacturer | It lets the packaging be traced back to who treated it. |
| An agency mark | The certification number issued to the national plant protection organization that oversees the producer | It lets the packaging be traced to the auditing agency. |
| HT or MB | The treatment code | HT is heat treatment to at least 56 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes. MB is methyl bromide fumigation. |
| DB | A debarked code, sometimes shown | Debarking is required to receive the mark, so it is often left off and assumed. |
| DUN | A dunnage code, in some marks | Shows treated solid wood used as loose blocking and bracing, not as a built pallet. |
The order and layout can vary between producers, and a stamp may carry extra identification a producer chooses to add. A stamp that is smudged, partial or on only one side can cause trouble at a border.
What it does not tell you
- It does not say the pallet is clean, dry or free of mold. Heat treatment does not stop mold. Mold on pallets.
- It does not give the pallet a grade. Grade is about repairs. Grades.
- It does not say the pallet is allowed everywhere. Check the importing country's rule. For Canada, see pallets across the bridges.
What is exempt
Wood packaging that is not raw solid wood is not covered. That includes plastic pallets, corrugated pallets, pressed-wood and molded-wood pallets, composite blocks, plywood and OSB, and wood thinner than 6 millimeters. Wine and spirits barrels are also exempt, because the way they are made already treats the wood.
A quick check at the dock
Find the mark
It is usually on a stringer or a block, on both sides of the pallet where possible.
Read the code
Look for HT. If you see MB, the pallet was fumigated.
Check the country
The two letters should match where you think it was made. A mismatch is a question for the supplier.
Looking for stamped stock? See heat-treated pallets.
Questions about the stamp
Who applies the stamp?
An approved treatment provider, under a national plant protection organization.
Does a stamp expire?
The treatment is permanent, but a mark can wear off. A pallet whose mark is illegible may be refused.
Can I stamp a pallet myself?
No. Only approved producers may.
Debarking comes first
Wood must be debarked before it is treated. Bark is allowed in small amounts: less than 3 cm wide, or if wider, under 50 square cm of surface area. A pallet with a lot of bark on it fails even if it is stamped.