Packaging wood is packaging material made from solid wood (paper is therefore excluded), for example, in the form of pallets (with or without collars and pallet boxes), industrial packaging (export packaging, crates), crates, reels, dunnage, etc., used for supporting, protecting, or transporting all kinds of objects.
ISPM 15 applies to "wooden packaging," i.e., wood or wood products (excluding paper) used for the support, protection, or transport of goods. This includes pallets (with or without collars and pallet boxes), industrial packaging (export packaging, crates), crates, reels, dunnage, etc.
Wood that is not subject to the measures under ISPM 15 and is therefore exempt (unless a country can demonstrate that measures are justified; see ISPM 15 international country overview):
- processed products produced through a high-temperature and/or high-pressure production process, such as particleboard, OSB, plywood, veneer, MDF, HDF, Trespa, etc.
- wood particles (wood wool, sawdust, wood shavings, wood chips, etc.) used as packaging material and with a maximum thickness of 6 mm do not pose a phytosanitary risk. This wood is not subject to the ISPM 15 measure unless a country can demonstrate that measures are justified. ISPM 15 recommends using debarked (DB) wood.
- 'bamboo products' do not fall under the definition of wood in the ISPM 15 definition and therefore ISPM 15 does not apply to bamboo products.
No, wood supporting bundles is not covered by the definition of dunnage but must meet the requirements for "wood." See the menu item "ISPM 15 International," submenu "Importing Wood to Europe."
The requirements apply to all packaging wood (see the question "What is packaging wood"), regardless of the wood species it is made of. Therefore, packaging wood made from tropical hardwood must also meet the ISPM 15 requirements. Tropical hardwood used to secure non-wood cargoes (dunnage) must also meet the requirements. However, no requirements apply to tropical hardwood used to secure wood cargoes (because it is not considered dunnage; see the question "What is dunnage"). It is possible that the EU will eventually make an exception for tropical hardwood, but this is not yet on the agenda.
Treated wood can be stored next to untreated wood, but it must be kept separate! Once treated, wooden packaging remains considered treated.
Once treated, packaging is considered treated permanently unless its composition changes, for example, due to repair. The rules for repair can be found in the protocols under ISPM 15 national. The risk of recontamination is minimal because the risk of packaging wood returning to a forest where recontamination could occur is quite small.
Wooden packaging bearing the mark guarantees that it meets the requirements of ISPM 15.
Therefore, a separate treatment or other certificate is not required by the manufacturer/repairer/treatment provider/trader.
Furthermore, the invoice must specifically state that the company is registered with SMHV for the supply of treated products that meet the requirements of ISPM 15, with reference to the registration number.
This guarantees that the supplier is actually affiliated with SMHV. Simply stating that the wooden packaging has undergone heat treatment is not sufficient.
Suppliers who meet the requirements of ISPM 15 receive a unique 3-digit registration number, which must be clearly visible in the IPPC mark on the wood. This mark is internationally recognized.
All registered SMHV companies are listed on our website, in both the Dutch and English sections.
Dune wood is solid wood used to secure or support cargoes other than wood, including wood that has not retained its natural round surface (except rough wood up to 6 mm thick, and processed wood produced using glue, heat, and pressure, or a combination thereof).
Wood used to secure or support cargoes of wood is not subject to the dunnage requirements. This wood is considered "timber" and is subject to the EU requirements for "timber" (see menu item "ISPM 15 International," submenu "Import of loose wood to Europe").
Example: Coniferous wood used to secure a load of machinery is subject to the dunnage requirements. Coniferous wood used to secure a load of planks is subject to the coniferous wood requirements.
The same requirements apply to packaging wood and dunnage. As of January 1, 2008, dunnage is required in the EU to be treated and marked upon import.
As of January 1, 2008, dunnage must be treated and marked in accordance with ISPM 15 when imported into the EU.
Dune wood (with goods) to be shipped from the EU to China must be completely free of bark and treated with heat treatment or another effective disinfection treatment recognized by China, and must be marked after treatment.
Under the "ISPM 15 International" menu, check the requirements that the various countries have for import packaging and any additional requirements, for example, regarding dunnage.
Battens/beams of the same wood species:
ISPM 15 makes an exception for shipments of wood that use battens of the same wood species. These are often found between shipments. Such battens are not considered dunnage and do not need to comply with ISPM 15.
Battens/beams of a different wood species:
If there are battens or beams under or between a shipment of wood of a different wood species, those battens or beams DO fall under the definition of dunnage and must comply with ISPM 15.