At a glance:

• Most export destinations enforce ISPM 15, which requires heat-treated pallets marked with the official IPPC stamp.
• Heat-treated pallets help prevent the spread of invasive pests and lower the risk of shipment delays, quarantine costs, and cargo rejection.
• Untreated pallets risk compliance breaches, resulting in repacking waste and reputational damage.
• Exemptions are rare and unreliable. Exporters should always opt for certified, heat-treated pallets to avoid costly disruptions.

In most cases, non-heat-treated pallets are unsuitable for international export. Most countries require wooden pallets to meet ISPM 15 regulations, meaning they must be heat-treated or fumigated and stamped with the official IPPC mark, unless shipping domestically within Australia or under a specific exemption.

Even when an exemption applies, relying on a non-heat-treated pallet increases the risk of delays, added costs, and compliance issues. So, it’s better not to use non-compliant pallets for export.

Pallets are often overlooked in the export process until something goes wrong. A single non-compliant pallet can delay an entire shipment at customs, trigger emergency treatment or repacking, and damage relationships with clients and freight partners.

This article explains when to use non-heat-treated pallets, the regulations that govern compliance, and the consequences of falling short, so you can plan exports with confidence and avoid costly disruptions.

What Are Non–Treated Pallets?

Non–treated pallets are made from raw or recycled timber that hasn’t undergone any pest control or sanitisation process, such as heat treatment or fumigation. These are commonly used for domestic storage and transport within Australia, where international phytosanitary regulations do not apply.

However, they are unsuitable for most export scenarios. Unlike export-grade pallets, non-treated ones lack the IPPC stamp, the internationally recognised marking that certifies the wood has been treated to eliminate pests and pathogens in line with ISPM 15.

What is ISPM 15?

ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15), established by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), is the global standard for wood packaging in international trade. It was introduced to prevent the spread of invasive pests through untreated wooden materials, including pallets, crates, and dunnage.

Under ISPM 15, all solid wood packaging for export must be treated by heating the wood to a core temperature of at least 56°C for 30 minutes. Pallets that meet this standard display the IPPC stamp, which includes a country code, a treatment code (HT), and the registration number of the certifying body.

Without this mark, pallets are classified as non-compliant and may face inspection delays, emergency treatment, or rejection at international borders.

The Risks of Using Non-Compliant Pallets for Export

Using non-heat-treated pallets for export can cause major disruption across your entire supply chain. Key risks include:

• Customs Delays: Shipments may be detained or held at the destination port if pallets fail to meet ISPM 15 requirements.
• Unexpected Treatment Costs: Authorities may require on-site fumigation, pallet replacement, or full repacking, all at the exporter’s expense.
• Shipment Rejection or Return: Customs in stricter jurisdictions may refuse entry to shipments on non-compliant pallets or destroy them.
• Reputational Damage: Compliance failures can damage relationships with overseas buyers, freight forwarders, and customs agents.
• Environmental Waste: Repacking creates unnecessary timber waste and increases handling time, especially for large-volume loads.

In short, choosing untreated pallets for export introduces avoidable risks. A single non-compliant pallet can stall a fully compliant shipment, inflate operating costs, and strain customer relationships.

What Countries Require Heat-Treated Pallets?

Most of Australia’s key export partners require pallets to be heat-treated and compliant with ISPM 15. This includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Brazil.

While ISPM 15 is a global standard, enforcement practices vary. Some countries conduct rigorous inspections at ports of entry, while others rely on documentation checks and random sampling. Markets with stricter biosecurity protocols, such as Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, enforce strict wood packaging compliance.

Even in regions with lighter enforcement, uncertified pallets still create risk. A single failure at inspection can result in delays, costly rework, or shipment rejection. Using heat-treated pallets bearing the IPPC mark remains the most reliable way to satisfy international requirements and prevent border disruptions.

The bottom line is that any business involved in exporting should use heat-treated, ISPM 15-certified pallets by default. These pallets meet international phytosanitary regulations, carry the required IPPC stamp, and ensure shipments clear customs without avoidable delays.

Non-heat-treated pallets, by contrast, offer no operational advantage and expose your supply chain to avoidable disruption. From customs delays and emergency fumigation to potential cargo rejection, the risks of non-compliance more than offset any short-term savings.

In global logistics, prevention ismore cost-effective than corrections. Sourcing heat-treated pallets from a reliable pallet supplier safeguards your cargo, preserves client trust, and protects your trade reputation on every shipment.