Exporting outside the EU: which pallet and which treatment?

The basic rule

Any pallet made of raw (unprocessed) wood destined for export outside the European Union must be treated under the ISPM 15 standard and carry the IPPC mark. Without that mark, your goods will be refused at customs — with expensive consequences: refusal, destruction, fines, delays.

When is ISPM 15 mandatory?

Exports outside the EU → mandatory

That is the standard rule: any shipment of wood packaging to a country outside the EU requires ISPM 15 compliance. More than 180 countries are signatories of the IPPC convention. Checks are particularly strict in the United States, Canada, China, Australia and North Africa. See the full 2026 country list →

Special cases in Europe

Portugal: requires ISPM 15 even for intra-EU shipments. The reason: the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is endemic on Portuguese territory. Any wood pallet entering Portugal must be treated, from any EU country.

United Kingdom: since Brexit (1 January 2021) the UK is a third country. ISPM 15 is mandatory in both directions — EU to UK and UK to EU.

French overseas territories: shipments from mainland France to the French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Guiana, Mayotte) are also subject to ISPM 15 — worth knowing if your goods transit through a French site.

Switzerland: exempt in practice — wood packaging manufactured in the EU circulates freely to Switzerland without ISPM 15 marking, under a bilateral agreement.

Exempt materials

Some materials are exempt because their manufacturing naturally eliminates harmful organisms: plywood, particle board, OSB, MDF and moulded wood (pressed-fibre pallets). If you use these materials, no treatment or marking is required.

Which pallet for export?

For a one-way export shipment where the pallet does not come back, you have three options:

Option 1: one-way pallet with ISPM 15 (recommended)

The most rational choice for one-way exports. Low unit cost, ISPM 15 treatment included, compliant on delivery. Pick the build strength to match your load: light (400 kg), semi-heavy (750 kg) or heavy (1,000 kg).

Option 2: EPAL pallet treated ISPM 15

If your load exceeds 1,000 kg or your customer requires an EPAL, you can use an EPAL pallet with ISPM 15 treatment. Bear in mind: sending an EPAL on a no-return export means writing off a valuable, reusable pallet. It is justified only for heavy loads or contractual requirements.

Option 3: CP chemical pallet

In the chemical and petrochemical industry, CP pallets are often contractually required. They can be treated ISPM 15 on request. The CP3 model (1140×1140 mm) is specifically designed to optimise sea containers.

How to verify ISPM 15 compliance

The IPPC mark is the only recognised proof. It must be visible on at least 2 sides of the pallet and contain:

The IPPC logo (stylised wheat ear) — the country code (e.g. FR for France) — the registration number of the treating company — the HT code (Heat Treatment).

Everything about the marking: our complete ISPM 15 guide →

Export checklist: 5 checks before shipping

The mistakes that cost real money

Mistake 1: assuming intra-EU means no rules at all

Portugal and the French overseas departments are exceptions that many exporters discover too late. Since Brexit, the United Kingdom too. Check systematically.

Mistake 2: forgetting the dunnage

ISPM 15 does not only cover pallets. Crates, wooden bracing, separator boards — any raw wood thicker than 6 mm is in scope. One non-compliant wedge in a container of compliant pallets is enough to block the whole shipment.

Mistake 3: relying on an outdated mark

If an EPAL pallet is repaired with 3 or more elements replaced, it must be re-treated and re-marked. An old IPPC mark on a repaired, untreated pallet can be refused at customs.