Import & Export Regulations on Plastic Pallets

Countries requiring ISPM 15 or Plastic Pallets

Argentina * Australia * Austria * Belgium * Bolivia * Brazil * Bulgaria * Canada * China

* Chile * Columbia * Costa Rica * Cyprus * Czech Republic * Denmark * Dominican Republic * Ecuador * Egypt * Estonia * Finland * France * Germany * Guatemala * Hungary * India * Ireland * Italy * Japan * Jordan * Latvia * Lithuania * Luxembourg * Lebanon * Kenya * Korea * Malta * Mexico * Monaco * Netherlands *New Zealand * Nigeria * Oman * Peru * Philippines * Poland * Portugal * Romania * San Marino * Slovakia * Slovenia * Spain * South Africa * Sweden * Syria * Trinidad & Tobago * Turkey * Vietnam * Venezuela * United Kingdom * United States * Vatican City States.

All wood packaging material (WPM) entering or transiting through either the U.S. or Canada are required to be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide as described above. Paper certification (a treatment certificate) is not required, but all WPM must be marked with the approved international logo shown above to certify that it has been treated by one of the approved measures.

If you are a U.S. importer, remember that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiated Phase II of its Wood Packing Material Regulation on July 4, 2006. As of that date, all WPM consisting of crates and pallets that are non-compliant with WPM requirements will be rejected through re-exportation from the United States.

In Canada, all WPM should be fully compliant with ISPM 15. The phase in period was completed as of 1 February 2006. Consignments, which arrive with wood packaging that is infested with quarantine pests, may be prohibited from entering and financial penalties may be imposed. As of 1 February 2006, imports must comply with requirements of ISPM No. 15 or be subject to removal from the importing country.

All shipments containing pallets or crates in violation may be allowed entry only if the CBP Port Director determines that it is possible to separate the merchandise from the non-compliant WPM. All costs associated with the re-exportation of non-compliant WPM will be the responsibility of the importer or party of interest's importer. In cases where the identity of the importer is unknown or not available, the importing carrier may be held liable for expenses related to the costs of exportation of the non-compliant WPM and associated cargo.