ISPM15 Wood Packaging Rules for Export From Japan
If your shipment uses wooden pallets, crates or dunnage, most destination countries require the wood to be treated and marked before it’s allowed in. Here’s what the rule actually covers, and how to read the stamp.
01What ISPM15 Is
ISPM15 is the international standard for solid wood packaging material, issued under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). It exists to stop wood-boring pests from spreading between countries hidden inside pallets and crates — a route that plain visual inspection at the border can easily miss.
The standard applies to solid, raw wood used in packaging: pallets, crates, boxes, dunnage, and load-bearing skids. It does not apply to processed wood products — plywood, particleboard, oriented strand board and similar engineered materials are exempt, on the reasoning that the manufacturing process (heat, pressure, adhesives) already kills the pests ISPM15 targets. Wood 6mm thick or thinner is also outside the scope.
02Treatment Methods and the Mark
Two treatment methods are recognized under the standard.
| HT (heat treatment) | The wood’s core is held at a minimum temperature for a minimum duration. This is now the dominant method worldwide |
|---|---|
| MB (methyl bromide fumigation) | Fumigation-based treatment. An increasing number of countries restrict or phase out its use on environmental and ozone-layer grounds |
Treated wood carries the IPPC mark, usually branded or stamped directly into the wood. Reading the mark tells you three things: a two-letter country code, the treatment facility’s registration number, and the treatment method used (HT or MB). This was confirmed against Canada’s official wood packaging import guidance, which sets out the same exemptions and treatment methods.
Packaging without a legible mark is rejected at the border in most jurisdictions — this isn’t a formality customs officers wave through, it’s checked specifically.
03What Happens if Packaging Doesn’t Comply
If non-compliant wood is found at destination, the usual outcomes are treatment on arrival, destruction, or re-export of the packaging — and in stricter jurisdictions, the entire consignment can be held up while it’s resolved. Each of these options costs time and money, and the delay affects the cargo itself, not just the packaging.
Australia and New Zealand apply some of the strictest inspection regimes in this area: beyond checking the wood itself, they inspect containers for soil, plant debris and other biosecurity risk material inside the box, not just on the pallets. If you’re shipping to either country, check the country-specific notes on our route pages before you pack.
If wood packaging is a recurring cost or compliance headache for your shipments, plastic pallets, steel pallets, or pallets built from engineered wood (which falls outside ISPM15) are all viable alternatives worth evaluating if you ship regularly.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse pallets that already carry the mark?
Generally yes, as long as the mark is still legible. The catch is repairs: if a repaired section uses untreated wood, the whole pallet becomes non-compliant even though the original mark is still visible. Inspect repaired pallets carefully before reuse.
Who can perform the treatment?
Only facilities registered with the relevant national plant protection organization — in Japan, that’s registration through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Many packing/crating contractors already work with a registered treatment provider, so it’s worth asking your packer directly before sourcing one separately.
Does ISPM15 apply to cardboard or plastic packaging?
No. Cardboard, plastic, and metal packaging materials fall entirely outside ISPM15 — the standard is specific to solid raw wood.
About this guide
This guide is written and edited by the OCEAN FREIGHT JAPAN (SK.inc) editorial team, based on hands-on freight-forwarding experience and primary official sources. Content reflects information current as of the publication date — for the latest regulations, please check official sources directly.
This article summarizes general rules current at the time of publication. For a specific shipment’s eligibility or regulatory status, please confirm directly with official sources and, where needed, a licensed customs broker.
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