ISPM 15 mark
The ISPM 15 mark is the stamp that shows wood packaging has been treated to the international phytosanitary standard. It contains the IPPC wheat symbol, a two-letter country code, the producer or treatment-provider number, and the treatment code (HT, DH, MB or SF).
Also called IPPC stamp, HT stamp, ISPM 15 stamp, wheat stamp, bug stamp
Reviewed
On this page
What the mark contains
Reading left to right inside a border:
- The IPPC wheat symbol
- The ISO two-letter country code (for example US)
- The producer or treatment-provider number assigned under the national plant protection program
- The treatment code: HT, DH, MB or SF
Marks often include the certifying agency's logo. The mark must be legible, permanent and inside a border, and ISPM 15 guidance says to avoid red and orange.
Where it goes
Marks go on at least two opposite sides of the pallet. Some buyers ask for more: Costco wants the mark on both long sides and Snap-on recommends all four sides. Confirm with the current vendor guide.
When the mark must be redone
Repaired, remanufactured and combo pallets must be re-treated and re-marked, and old marks obliterated. An intact, compliant pallet can be reused without re-treatment.
What the mark does not mean
A "KD" stamp shows kiln drying, not ISPM 15 compliance. See heat treatment and the ISPM 15 standard page.
Questions
- Where should the ISPM 15 stamp be on a pallet?
- On at least two opposite sides. Some retailers ask for both long sides or all four sides; check the buyer's pallet guide.
- What does HT mean on a pallet stamp?
- HT means heat treated: the wood core reached 56 °C for 30 minutes under an audited ISPM 15 program.
Related
- Heat treatmentHeat treatment (HT) heats pallet wood until its core reaches 56 °C for 30 minutes, the ISPM 15 treatment that lets wood pallets cross borders. Marked HT.
- IPPCThe IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) is the treaty behind ISPM 15, the standard for treating and marking wood pallets in international trade.
- ISPM 15: heat treatment and marking for export palletsISPM 15 requires export wood pallets to be debarked and treated, usually heat treated to 56 °C core for 30 minutes, and stamped with the IPPC mark.
- Export pallet: what international shipments requireAn export pallet must meet ISPM 15 (heat treated and stamped) if made of solid wood, and should match the destination's footprint. Options, sizes and specs.
- Lead boardA lead board is the outermost deckboard at each end of a pallet deck. It is usually wider than interior boards, e.g. 5-1/2 in vs 3-1/2 in on a GMA 48x40.
- Load overhangLoad overhang is when product on a pallet extends past the pallet's edges. It leaves carton edges unsupported, cutting stacking strength and inviting damage.