Certified Heat Treatment for International Shipping
Our APHIS-approved facility provides ISPM-15 compliant heat treatment with fast turnaround, full documentation, and the certification your international shipments require to clear customs without delay.
What Is ISPM-15?
ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is a global regulation governing wood packaging materials used in international trade. Developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) under the United Nations, the standard requires that all solid wood packaging — pallets, crates, dunnage — be treated to eliminate wood-boring insects and pathogens before crossing international borders.
The standard was created in response to real ecological threats. Invasive species like the Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer have caused billions of dollars in damage to forests worldwide, and untreated wood packaging was identified as a primary vector for their spread.
Today, over 180 countries require ISPM-15 compliance for imported wood packaging. If you ship goods internationally on wood pallets, compliance is not optional — it is a requirement enforced at ports of entry. Non-compliant shipments can be quarantined, fumigated at your expense, rejected outright, or destroyed.
Non-Compliance Is Expensive
Shipping goods on non-compliant pallets is one of the fastest ways to disrupt your international supply chain. At the port of entry, customs officials inspect wood packaging for the ISPM-15 mark. If your pallets do not carry the proper stamp, you face a range of costly consequences.
The HT Specification
ISPM-15 defines the exact treatment parameters that must be met for wood packaging to be considered compliant. There is no room for interpretation — the specification is precise and verifiable.
The core of the thickest piece of wood must reach at least 56 degrees Celsius (132.8 degrees F). Surface temperature is not sufficient.
The 56 degree C core temperature must be maintained continuously for a minimum of 30 minutes. The clock starts when core temp is reached, not when the kiln is turned on.
The internationally recognized mark includes the IPPC logo, country code (US), facility number, and treatment code (HT). This mark is what customs inspectors look for.
Heat Treatment Step by Step
From the moment your pallets arrive at our facility to the moment they leave with a certified HT stamp, here is exactly what happens.
Receive & Inspect
Pallets arrive at our facility and are inspected for structural integrity, contamination, and suitability for heat treatment. Pallets needing repair are fixed before treatment to ensure they meet both structural and phytosanitary standards.
Load the Kiln
Pallets are loaded into our industrial heat treatment kiln in carefully spaced configurations that allow uniform air circulation. Proper loading is critical — every pallet in the batch must reach the required core temperature without exception.
Heat to 56 Degrees C Core Temperature
The kiln raises the core temperature of the wood to a minimum of 56 degrees Celsius (132.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and maintains that temperature for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes. This is the precise standard defined by ISPM-15 to eliminate wood-boring insects and pathogens.
Monitor & Document
Temperature probes embedded in the wood and placed throughout the kiln continuously record temperatures during the entire treatment cycle. This data is logged and archived, providing a verifiable chain of compliance for every batch.
Mark & Certify
Upon successful treatment, each pallet receives the official ISPM-15 compliance mark (the "wheat stamp") applied with a branding iron or ink stamp. The mark includes our facility code, the country code (US), the treatment abbreviation (HT), and the IPPC logo.
Release & Deliver
Treated pallets are released with full documentation including treatment certificates, batch records, and temperature logs. We deliver directly to your facility or stage pallets for pickup at our Romeoville location.
Countries That Require ISPM-15
Over 180 countries enforce ISPM-15. Here are some of the most important trading partners for Midwest exporters and the specific implications of non-compliance.
European Union
All 27 EU member states require ISPM-15 compliant wood packaging for imports. Non-compliant shipments are rejected, fumigated, or destroyed at the port of entry.
China
Strictly enforced ISPM-15 requirements. China frequently inspects incoming wood packaging and has a history of rejecting non-compliant shipments.
Australia & New Zealand
Among the strictest biosecurity regimes in the world. ISPM-15 compliance is mandatory, and additional inspection requirements may apply.
Canada
ISPM-15 treatment required for all wood packaging materials. Cross-border shipping between the US and Canada requires compliant pallets.
Mexico
Enforces ISPM-15 for incoming wood packaging. Given the high volume of US-Mexico trade, this is a critical requirement for many Midwest exporters.
India, Japan, South Korea
Major Asian trading partners that enforce ISPM-15. Non-compliance can result in shipment delays, quarantine, or refusal of entry.
This is not an exhaustive list. Virtually every country participating in international trade enforces ISPM-15 to some degree. If you ship internationally, assume ISPM-15 compliance is required unless you have confirmed otherwise with the destination country.
Fast Treatment, Complete Records
We understand that international shipments operate on tight schedules. Our heat treatment operation is designed for speed without compromising compliance. Standard turnaround is 1-2 business days from receipt. Rush service is available for same-day or next-day completion when your timeline demands it.
Every batch is documented with treatment certificates, temperature logs, and batch identification numbers. This paperwork satisfies customs requirements in all ISPM-15 signatory countries and provides a complete compliance trail for your records.
Documentation Provided
Treatment Certificate
Official certificate identifying the batch, treatment date, parameters achieved, and our APHIS-approved facility credentials.
Temperature Log Data
Complete temperature probe readings throughout the treatment cycle, documenting that 56 degree C core temp was reached and maintained for 30+ minutes.
ISPM-15 Compliance Mark
Each treated pallet receives the internationally recognized IPPC mark with our facility code, country code (US), and treatment abbreviation (HT).
Digital Records
All documentation is available in digital format for easy inclusion with your shipping paperwork and customs declarations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Heat treatment and ISPM-15 can be confusing. Here are answers to the questions we hear most often from customers.
What does ISPM-15 stand for?
ISPM-15 stands for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. It is a standard developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), a treaty organization under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The standard regulates wood packaging materials used in international trade to prevent the spread of invasive insects and plant diseases.
Why does ISPM-15 exist?
Untreated wood can harbor wood-boring insects like the Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer, as well as fungal pathogens that threaten forests and agriculture in importing countries. ISPM-15 requires that wood packaging be treated to kill these organisms before crossing international borders. The standard has been adopted by over 180 countries worldwide.
What are the specific HT requirements?
Heat treatment (HT) under ISPM-15 requires that the core of the wood reaches a minimum temperature of 56 degrees Celsius (132.8 degrees Fahrenheit) for a minimum continuous duration of 30 minutes. This specification applies to the core of the thickest piece of wood in the pallet, not just the surface temperature. Proper kiln loading and calibrated temperature monitoring are essential to ensure every piece in a batch meets this standard.
Is heat treatment the same as kiln drying?
No. Kiln drying reduces the moisture content of wood for dimensional stability and is typically done at lower temperatures over longer periods. Heat treatment under ISPM-15 is specifically designed to reach 56 degrees C core temperature for 30 minutes to kill pests. While heat treatment does reduce moisture somewhat, it is a phytosanitary process, not a drying process. A kiln-dried pallet is not automatically ISPM-15 compliant unless it was also treated to the correct temperature specification and properly marked.
What documentation do you provide?
Every heat treatment batch comes with a treatment certificate listing the date, batch number, treatment parameters (temperature achieved, duration), and our facility credentials. We also provide temperature log data from the kiln probes and can supply these records in digital or printed format. This documentation satisfies customs requirements in all ISPM-15 signatory countries.
How long does heat treatment take?
A typical heat treatment cycle takes 6-12 hours depending on the wood thickness, moisture content, and batch size. However, most orders are completed within 1-2 business days from receipt, including inspection, treatment, marking, and documentation. Rush service is available for time-critical international shipments.
Ship Internationally With Confidence
Do not risk your international shipment on non-compliant pallets. Get ISPM-15 certified heat treatment with fast turnaround and complete documentation from Chicago Pallet Solutions.