Heat-Treated vs. Regular Pallets: What's the Difference?

What is ISPM-15?

The International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 is a global standard requiring wood packaging used in international trade to be treated to prevent the spread of invasive insects and plant diseases.

Heat Treatment

Heat treatment (HT) requires the wood to reach a core temperature of 56°C for 30 continuous minutes. The treated pallet is then marked with the IPPC symbol, the country code, the producer registration number, and the treatment code (HT).

When Do You Need HT Pallets?

• Any international shipment where the destination country has adopted ISPM-15
• Some domestic regulations also require HT pallets for food applications
• When your customer or distributor specifies ISPM-15 compliance

Regular Pallets

For domestic US shipments with no international leg, standard pallets are typically fine and less expensive. For most Nevada businesses shipping within the US, standard pallets are the right choice.