
If you're an international shipper, you're likely familiar with the heat treated pallet stamp, but have you ever wondered what it means? The stamp is a crucial mark that indicates a pallet has been treated to kill pests and diseases that can harm forests and ecosystems.
The heat treated pallet stamp is a requirement for international shipping to countries that are members of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). This includes many countries in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The stamp itself is a small mark that includes the initials "HT" or "HT-IPPC", and the date of treatment. It's usually applied to the pallet by a licensed treatment facility.
The heat treatment process involves heating the pallet to a high temperature, typically around 133°F (56°C), for a specified period. This kills any pests or diseases that may be present, making the pallet safe for international shipping.
Check this out: Pallet Truck En Español
Pallet Branding and Certification
ISPM 15 certified wood packaging and shipping crates require a heat treated pallets stamp, which can be obtained through fumigation or heat treatment. The stamp is also known as the ht stamp.
The International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 15) regulates the use of heat treated pallets, which are required to be debarked and stamped with a mark of compliance. This regulation affects all wood packaging material used in international trade.
IPPC certified heat treated pallets are typically stamped in black ink, with the stamp surrounded by either a square or oval shape. The code on the pallet will include the letters HT.
Pallet Branding Kit
A pallet branding kit is a must-have for any business that ships wood packaging materials internationally. The kit typically includes a heat treated stamp, which is a requirement for compliance with ISPM 15.
ISPM 15 is a set of international standards that regulates the use of wood packaging materials in international trade. It requires that wood packaging materials, such as pallets, be debarked, heat treated, and stamped with a mark of compliance.
The heat treated stamp is a crucial part of the pallet branding kit, and it's designed to meet ISPM 15 specifications. The stamp is typically made with heavy-duty materials and is heated with a heavy-duty SPT series heating element.
The ISPM 15 standards have been adopted by all U.S. trading partners and incorporated into U.S. and Canadian regulations since 2012. This means that any business that ships wood packaging materials internationally must comply with these standards.
The heat treated stamp is usually stamped in black ink, with the stamp surrounded by a square or oval shape. The code on the pallet will include the letters "HT", which stands for heat treated.
Is a Pallet Genuine?
If a pallet is heat treated, it will typically be stamped in black ink, with the stamp surrounded by either a square or oval shape.
To verify this, look for the code on the pallet, which will include the letters HT.
IPPC certified heat treated pallets are the ones to look for, as they have a specific stamp that indicates they've been treated to kill pests and diseases.
The stamp will be a clear giveaway, but if you're still unsure, take a closer look at the pallet's markings.
ISPM 15 Compliance
ISPM 15 is the industry standard for wooden pallets, established by the IPPC. It requires all wooden pallets to be heat-treated to eliminate insects or fungus.
The regulations state that each pallet must display an ISPM15 compliance stamp on the stringer, certifying that the pallet has been properly heat-treated and is safe for use.
ISPM 15 has been adopted by all U.S. trading partners and incorporated into U.S. and Canadian regulations since 2012. This means that all wood packaging materials, including pallets, crates, and barrels, must be debarked, heat treated, and stamped with a mark of compliance when shipped internationally.
The heat-treated pallets must be stamped with the internationally recognized IPPC mark, indicating the treatment method used and the country of origin of the WPM. In the UK, the standard is enforced by the Forestry Commission, which is the National Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO).
Heat-treated pallets are also known as HT or export pallets, and they must be clearly marked with the HT stamp. The stamp must be visible and legible, and it can appear on the block, stringer, or lead board.
ISPM 15 requires that any cargo shipping from the U.S. overseas using any species of raw wood packaging be fumigated or heat treated. This is to prevent the spread of insects and diseases through wood packaging materials used in international trade.
The fumigation should kill insects or fungus, and the heat-treated pallets must be stamped with the IPPC mark. The code on the pallet will include the letters HT, and the stamp will be surrounded by either a square or oval shape.
In order to ensure compliance with ISPM 15, shippers should be aware that the regulations require all non-manufactured wood packaging materials to be either heat-treated or fumigated and have the ISPM 15 stamp.
Heat Treating Process
The heat treating process involves placing wood pallets in a large kiln or oven where they're arranged in a methodical way to facilitate proper airflow and heat distribution.
To meet ISPM 15 requirements, the internal core temperature of the wood pallets must reach a minimum of 132.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
This temperature must be maintained for at least 30 consecutive minutes.
Probes are used throughout the kiln to ensure the right temperature and time requirements are met.
After the heat treatment is complete, the wood pallets are removed and inspected again to guarantee that all ISPM 15 requirements are met.
If the pallets meet the requirements, they're stamped or branded with the correct IPPC markings, which include the IPPC symbol, two-letter country code, company's registration number, and treatment code listed as HT.
Export and Regulations
All PalletOne locations are audited and certified annually by third-party inspectors to provide heat-treated pallets for export in accordance with the IPPC's most current ISPM 15 requirements.
ISPM 15 requires that any cargo shipping from the U.S. overseas using any species of raw wood packaging be fumigated or heat treated since 2015.
Heat-treated pallets are regulated by the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 15), which requires that the wood utilized for pallets is debarked, heat treated, and stamped with a mark of compliance.
ISPM 15 standards have been adopted by all U.S. trading partners and incorporated into U.S. and Canadian regulations since 2012.
Export

Exporting products can be a complex process, especially when it comes to meeting international regulations.
All pallets used for export must be heat-treated to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
Heat-treated pallets are certified annually by third-party inspectors to ensure compliance with the IPPC's ISPM 15 requirements.
As an industry leader, PalletOne stays informed on the latest changes in wood packaging export requirements, so you can rest assured your shipment meets all required regulations.
Export Pallet Requirements
Exporting goods internationally requires careful attention to detail, and one crucial aspect is ensuring your pallets meet the necessary regulations.
ISPM-15 regulations apply to wood packaging materials, including pallets, being shipped internationally, but not within the US or to Canada.
These regulations require non-manufactured wood packaging materials to be either heat-treated or fumigated and stamped with an ISPM 15 mark.
Your pallets should be no higher than 60 inches and no wider than 96×125 inches for safety purposes.

ISPM-15 regulations have been adopted by all U.S. trading partners and incorporated into U.S. and Canadian regulations since 2012.
All wood utilized for pallets must be debarked, heat-treated, and stamped with a mark of compliance to meet ISPM-15 standards.
PalletOne locations are audited and certified annually by third-party inspectors to provide heat-treated pallets for export, ensuring compliance with ISPM-15 requirements.
Support Page IDS
The IDS stamp is a crucial mark for heat-treated pallets. It's applied twice, on opposite faces of the completed container.
To ensure compliance, the wood needs to be heated until its core reaches 56 °c for at least 30 minutes. This process is essential to kill pests and make the pallet safe for export.
The IDS stamp includes markings for specific programs, such as heat-treated, dunnage, fumigation for shipping pallets, and lumber crating. This makes it easy to understand the regulations and ensure compliance.
Shipments containing noncompliant wood packaging material will not be allowed to enter the country. This is a serious issue that can cause delays and additional costs.
A heat-treated pallet is a wood pallet that has been heated to a minimum core temperature of 56°c (132.8 °f) for at least 30 minutes to kill pests. This process is a requirement for export.
Wood Packaging and Crates
Wood packaging and crates must meet strict regulations to prevent the spread of insects and diseases.
ISPM 15 Certified Wood Packaging and Shipping Crates SharkCrates requires that the wood used for crates is heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide.
Various energy sources can be used to meet the required treatment standards.
A heat treated pallet is a wood pallet that has been heated to a minimum core temperature of 56°c (132.8 °f) for at least 30 minutes to kill pests.
ISPM 15 regulates the use of raw wood packaging for export, requiring it to be fumigated or heat treated.
Heat treated pallets are typically stamped in black ink with a mark of compliance.
Sources
- https://www.tunxis.commnet.edu/view/heat-treated-stamp.html
- https://www.palletone.com/heated-treated-pallet-stamp/
- https://challengerpallet.com/blog/posts/what-are-heat-treated-pallets-and-when-should-you-use-them/
- https://www.palletone.com/heat-treated-pallet-stamp/
- https://www.chep.com/be/en/products/pallets/heat-treated-pallets-ISPM15
Featured Images: pexels.com