You’ve worked hard to get your crops ready for export. The last thing you want is for the pallets carrying them to cause problems at the border.
When you’re exporting crops from Alberta to international markets, including Mexico, there’s a good chance your wooden pallets will need to meet heat-treatment requirements to prevent the spread of invasive insects or pests, such as the brown spruce long-horned beetle and pine shoot beetle.
That’s where ISPM 15 comes in. Using appropriately certified heat-treated pallets from Alberta Pallet can help you avoid costly delays, rejected shipments and compliance issues.
What Is ISPM 15 and Why Does It Matter for Export Crops?
ISPM 15 stands for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. It regulates wood packaging materials used in international trade, including pallets, crates and certain wood supports, to help reduce the spread of harmful pests often found and transported in untreated wood.
Under Canada’s heat-treatment program, compliant wood must reach a minimum core temperature of 56°C for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes. At Alberta Pallet, we operate a CFIA-licensed kiln that can treat up to 30,000 board feet per day, with treated material appropriately marked for traceability.
Once compliant treatment is complete, the appropriate IPPC/ISPM 15 mark is applied to identify the treated wood packaging.
By sourcing compliant pallets ahead of your export shipment, you can reduce the risk of last-minute complications. And with our in-house heat treatment, there’s no need to send pallets to a separate facility, helping reduce additional transportation costs and lead times.
Common Reasons Wooden Pallets Fail Export Inspections
So what exactly would cause a wooden pallet to fail an export inspection? Here are some common reasons to keep an eye out for:
- Missing or illegible ISPM 15 stamps: Pallets may be rejected when the required IPPC mark is absent, unreadable or incorrectly applied.
- Improper heat treatment or certification: Simply heating wood isn’t enough. The pallets must meet the approved treatment requirements and be appropriately certified and marked.
- Excessive bark or signs of pests: Wood packaging must meet bark-removal requirements and be free of live pests or signs of infestation.
- Improperly repaired or modified pallets: Replacing boards or modifying previously certified pallets without following the applicable treatment and marking rules can compromise compliance.
One important thing to remember is that even when export crops meet their destination’s requirements, non-compliant wood packaging can still put the shipment at risk.
Do You Need Heat-Treated Pallets? Start With This Checklist
So do you need heat-treated pallets for your export? If you’re preparing an international shipment, ask these questions ahead of time to ensure your products are ready to hit the road, or open water, without running into delays:
- Am I shipping to a country that requires ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging?
- Am I using solid wood pallets, crates or dunnage?
- Has the wood packaging been treated through an approved program?
- Does the packaging have the appropriate ISPM 15/IPPC mark?
- Has the packaging remained compliant and unaltered after treatment?
- Have I confirmed the requirements for my destination?
Find Heat-Treated Pallets With Alberta Pallet
With more than 50 years of experience supplying wooden pallets, Alberta Pallet understands the importance of getting your products to market safely and on schedule. Our Airdrie facility features a CFIA-licensed kiln, allowing us to handle heat treatment in-house and help businesses in Calgary, Airdrie and surrounding areas meet applicable international wood packaging requirements.
Whether you’re preparing a seasonal crop shipment or managing ongoing exports, working with an experienced local supplier can make the process that much easier.
Don’t let your pallets become the reason your next export shipment gets held up. Explore Alberta Pallet’s heat-treated pallets and contact our team to discuss your shipping requirements.