ISPM 15 & Plastic Pallet Exemption

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Plastic Pallets are Exempt from ISPM15 Regulations

Plastic pallets are ideal for export consignments as they are completely exempt from ISPM15 regulations.

Since January 1st 2021, as part of the Brexit negotiations, it became a legal requirement for all wood packaging material moving between the UK and the EU to pass ISPM 15 legal requirements. Thankfully plastic pallet are exempt from these regulations.

ISPM 15 Regulations

ISPM15 is the International Phytosanitary Standard for wood packaging. Developed by the International Protection Plant Convention (IPPC), it has gradually been adopted by countries throughout the world. Today over 85 countries have adopted these regulations, with the intention to stop the international spread of wood pests, after experiences with the Pine Wood Nematode, the long-horn beetle and other pests.

ISPM15 states that all exporters must ensure that any wooden packaging used to export goods must be heat treated, stamped and certified before shipping. Failure to use correctly treated and certified wooden pallets will result in delays and extra costs at the port of entry.

Designed for export and one-trip consignments, nestable plastic pallets are an ideal solution as the cost to purchase is comparable to wood.

The chart below shows the import requirements for wooden pallets and highlights that plastic pallets are totally exempt from ISPM15 regulations.

Country ISPM 15 Implementation Wooden Pallet Special Import Requirements Plastic Pallet Special Import Requirements
Argentina 1st January 2006 ISPM 15 mandatory NONE
Australia 1st January 2004 ISPM 15 mandatory NONE
Canada 1st January 2004 ISPM 15 mandatory NONE
China 1st October 2002 ISPM 15 plus Phytosanitary Certs NONE
EU 1st January 2005 ISPM 15 mandatory NONE
India 1st April 2004 ISPM 15 plus Phytosanitary Certs NONE
Mexico 1st July 2004 ISPM 15 mandatory NONE
South Africa 1st January 2005 ISPM 15 mandatory NONE
South Korea 1st July 2004 ISPM 15 mandatory NONE
Switzerland 1st January 2005 ISPM 15 mandatory NONE
USA 1st July 2004 ISPM 15 mandatory NONE