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ISPM-15 Compliance Checklist
From: United States Pallets - America's National Pallet Supplier
For: Export operations, compliance officers, customs brokers
Length: 14 pages
ISPM-15 Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist for every export shipment requiring ISPM-15-compliant wood packaging.
Pre-Production Phase
Verified facility is APHIS-accredited (current registration number)
Lumber sourced from ALSC-accredited grading agency (PLIB, SPIB, etc.)
Heat treatment kiln registered with accreditation agency
Treatment records active (date, batch, kiln ID, temperature, duration)
Production Phase
Wood core temperature reached 56C minimum
Treatment duration 30 minutes minimum at temperature
Treatment certificate generated by kiln operator
IPPC stamp applied to at least two opposite sides
Stamp contains: IPPC graphic, country code (US), facility number, treatment code (HT)
Stamp is legible and indelible
Pre-Shipment Phase
Heat treatment certificate received
Phytosanitary certificate (PC) issued by USDA-APHIS or state plant health (where required)
BOL references both certs and IPPC stamp on each pallet
Country-specific overlays addressed (see Section 3)
Photo documentation of stamped pallets retained
Post-Shipment Phase
Documentation packet retained for minimum 3 years
Customer audit trail accessible
Country-Specific Overlays
| Country | Requirement Beyond ISPM-15 Baseline |
|---|---|
| European Union | Bark removal beyond ISPM-15; rigorous port-of-entry inspection |
| China | Fumigation certificate for some commodity classes; GAC inspection |
| Australia | BMSB seasonal inspection; bark and pest residue review |
| New Zealand | BMSB seasonal restrictions overlay |
| UK (post-Brexit) | UK PC may be required; documentation differs from EU |
| Canada | Bilateral exemption may apply for certain commodities |
| Mexico | NORM-144 implementing regulation; SENASICA inspection |
| Japan | MAFF inspection at major ports (Yokohama, Tokyo Bay) |
| South Korea | APQA inspection at Busan and Incheon |
| India | Plant Quarantine Order 2003 |
| Brazil | Portuguese-language documentation; MAPA inspection |
Common Rejection Causes
- Missing or illegible IPPC stamp
- Bark presence on pallet
- Pest residue (frass, insect trails)
- Documentation gaps (cert missing, expired, wrong facility)
- Incorrect facility code on stamp
- Heat treatment temperature/duration not validated
Audit Preparation
USDA-APHIS audits accredited facilities periodically. Maintain:
- Kiln charts for every batch (temperature vs time)
- Treatment certificates issued for past 36 months
- Customer manifests with certs cross-referenced
- Stamping equipment maintenance log
- Personnel training records
About United States Pallets
United States Pallets supplies new GMA, recycled, custom, ISPM-15 heat-treated, and food-grade pallets to B2B operations across all 50 states. 50-pallet minimum, sub-2-hour quote response, audit-ready documentation per load. Operated by WETYR Corporation.
Contact: unitedstatespallets.com/contact
