Import & export

What does ISPM 15 actually prove?

By PalletChecker · AI-assisted, source-linked guidance

Updated 2026-10-15 · verified guidance

Applies to: International standard; national programme and destination checks

It records approved plant-health treatment of wood packaging. It does not establish strength, food hygiene, cleanliness or ongoing protection against contamination.

Read the evidence for the right question

Question	Evidence to obtain
Wood-packaging treatment and marking	The complete mark on the actual unit and the relevant programme requirements
Load suitability	The identified design and rating for the proposed support and handling
Cleanliness and condition	Inspection and the receiver’s product-specific requirements
Shipment paperwork	The importer/forwarder’s requirements tied to the consignment

A purchaser may need all four checks. One stamp does not answer every question.

For a worked mark-reading explanation, use the group’s ISPM 15 stamp guide; for the standard itself, follow the IPPC reference below.

What the standard addresses

ISPM 15 concerns phytosanitary risks associated with regulated wood packaging in international trade. The treatment and marking system addresses pests; it does not grade the pallet’s capacity or certify the cargo.

Two separate decisions

First establish the packaging rules for the route and material. Then establish whether the pallet is suitable for the goods and handling. A correctly marked but damaged pallet can still be unsafe to use.

When ordering

Tell the supplier both the route and the pallet specification you need. Ask how compliant marking and any repairs will be checked, and verify current destination requirements before dispatch.

What to check next

Assess cargo suitability separately.

Sources

IPPC: ISPM 15 scope

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