Do export pallets need to be heat treated?

Solid wood pallets in international trade must be treated and marked under ISPM 15. Heat treatment (HT, 56 °C core for 30 minutes) is the most common method; plastic, metal, corrugated and presswood pallets are exempt.

What does HT mean on a pallet?

HT means the pallet was heat treated to ISPM 15. It appears in the IPPC mark with the country code and the producer's number.

Is a kiln-dried pallet ISPM 15 compliant?

Not by itself. Compliance needs an approved treatment and the IPPC mark; a KD stamp only describes moisture content. A KD-HT stamp means both.

What pallet size should I use for exports to Europe?

1200 x 800 mm (EUR) or 1200 x 1000 mm. If the customer requires EPAL pallets, they must come from an EPAL licensee.

Industries

Pallets for export shipping

Reviewed September 25, 2026

In short

A wood pallet used in international shipping must meet ISPM 15: debarked, treated (usually heat treated to a 56 °C core temperature for 30 minutes) and marked with the IPPC stamp. Size it to the destination's standard where you can: 48 x 40 in in North America, 1200 x 800 or 1200 x 1000 mm in Europe, 1100 x 1100 mm in Japan and Korea, 1165 x 1165 mm in Australia.

On this page

Common pallet sizes
Construction and spec notes
What to put in the RFQ

Common pallet sizes

Size	Metric	Where it is standard
48 x 40 in	1219 x 1016 mm	North America (GMA); in ISO 6780
1200 x 800 mm	47.24 x 31.5 in	Europe; the EUR / EPAL 1 pallet
1200 x 1000 mm	47.24 x 39.37 in	Europe, UK and Asia
1100 x 1100 mm	43.3 x 43.3 in	Japan and Korea (T11)
1165 x 1165 mm	45.9 x 45.9 in	Australia
42 x 42 in	1067 x 1067 mm	In ISO 6780; used in North America, Europe and Asia

These six footprints (as 1219 x 1016, 1200 x 800, 1200 x 1000, 1100 x 1100, 1165 x 1165 and 1067 x 1067 mm) are the ISO 6780 list. Shipping on the destination's standard size makes the pallet easier to handle and rack at the other end.

Construction and spec notes

ISPM 15 in brief

ISPM 15 is the international phytosanitary standard for wood packaging. Any solid wood pallet, skid or crate crossing a border generally needs:

Debarked wood. Only small bark remnants are allowed (pieces under 3 cm wide, or larger pieces under 50 cm² in area).
An approved treatment:

Code	Treatment
HT	Heat treatment: wood core held at 56 °C for 30 minutes
DH	Dielectric heating (microwave or radio frequency) to 60 °C for 1 minute through the profile
MB	Methyl bromide fumigation, being phased out and banned in some countries
SF	Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation

The mark. The IPPC symbol, the 2-letter country code, the producer or treatment provider number, and the treatment code, in a border. Apply it on at least two opposite sides. See ISPM 15 mark.

In the US, heat treatment is certified through agencies accredited by the American Lumber Standard Committee. Repaired, remanufactured or combo pallets must be re-treated and re-marked, with old marks removed. An intact compliant pallet can be reused without re-treatment. Full detail is on the ISPM 15 page.

What is exempt

Wood 6 mm thick or less, and processed wood such as plywood, OSB and particleboard, are exempt. Plastic, metal, corrugated and presswood pallets are exempt too, which is why some exporters use them. A pallet that mixes plywood with solid wood still needs the solid wood treated.

Heat treated is not kiln dried

An HT stamp says the wood reached the treatment temperature. It does not say the wood is dry. A "KD" stamp alone is a moisture claim, not ISPM 15 compliance. For sea containers, where green wood can drive condensation and mold, specify both: heat treatment and a moisture target. Costco, for example, requires moisture content below 19% for containerized shipments. See kiln dried vs heat treated.

EPAL and Euro pallets

A "Euro-size" 1200 x 800 mm block pallet can be built by any shop. A pallet marked EPAL can only be made by an EPAL licensee. The EPAL 1 is 1200 x 800 x 144 mm, about 25 kg, built with 78 nails, and has been heat treated to ISPM 15 since 2010. See Euro pallets and EPAL.

Construction for export

Export pallets are often one-way, but they face rough handling, long transits and stacking in containers. Block pallets give four-way entry for unfamiliar equipment at the destination. State the load, stacking in the container and any racking at the destination.

What to put in the RFQ

Destination country and the footprint expected there
ISPM 15 treatment (HT, DH) and mark locations (two sides or four)
Heat-treatment certificate or letter of compliance if required
Moisture content target for containerized shipments
EPAL-licensed or Euro-size, if shipping to Europe
Load, stacking and handling at both ends
One-way or returnable

See the export pallet page and the pallet RFQ guide.

Questions

Do export pallets need to be heat treated?: Solid wood pallets in international trade must be treated and marked under ISPM 15. Heat treatment (HT, 56 °C core for 30 minutes) is the most common method; plastic, metal, corrugated and presswood pallets are exempt.
What does HT mean on a pallet?: HT means the pallet was heat treated to ISPM 15. It appears in the IPPC mark with the country code and the producer's number.
Is a kiln-dried pallet ISPM 15 compliant?: Not by itself. Compliance needs an approved treatment and the IPPC mark; a KD stamp only describes moisture content. A KD-HT stamp means both.
What pallet size should I use for exports to Europe?: 1200 x 800 mm (EUR) or 1200 x 1000 mm. If the customer requires EPAL pallets, they must come from an EPAL licensee.