International shipping involves far more than simply loading products onto a truck or into a container. When wood packaging materials are used in export shipments, they must comply with international regulations designed to protect forests and ecosystems around the world.
One of the most important standards governing wood packaging in global trade is ISPM 15.
At Bunkie Wood Products we help customers navigate these requirements every day by supplying properly heat-treated and certified wood packaging materials for domestic and international shipping.
ISPM 15 stands for the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. The regulation was developed under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to reduce the spread of invasive insects and pests through wood packaging materials used in international trade.
Without these standards, pests such as pine beetles and other invasive species could severely damage forests, lumber industries, and ecosystems worldwide.
The standard applies to products such as:
The purpose of ISPM 15 is simple: prevent destructive insects and wood-boring pests from being transported from one country to another through untreated wood packaging.
For shipping managers, engineers, exporters, and purchasing agents, ISPM 15 compliance is not optional — it is essential.
Non-compliant wood packaging can lead to:
When export packaging is properly treated, marked, and documented, shipments typically move through customs far more efficiently.
That is why working with a reliable and certified supplier matters.
To comply with ISPM 15, wood packaging materials must undergo an approved heat-treatment process designed to eliminate insects and larvae inside the wood.
At Bunkie Wood Products we maintain compliance through certified heat-treatment procedures and documented quality controls.
Our inspection agency,Timber Products Inspection, Inc., performs regular inspections of our heat-treatment records, storage procedures, and manufacturing processes to verify compliance with ISPM 15 standards.
Wood packaging materials must reach a core temperature of at least 140°F (60°C) for a minimum of 35 consecutive minutes during the heat-treatment process.
This may be accomplished by:
Proper separation between treated and untreated materials is also critical. Certified products must be protected from contamination after treatment to maintain compliance.
Any non-conforming materials must be quarantined, corrected, or removed before shipment.
Compliant wood packaging materials are marked with an official ISPM 15 stamp.
This mark identifies:
These markings allow customs officials around the world to quickly verify compliance.
At Bunkie Wood Products, we also provide certification documentation with shipments to help support customs clearance and customer recordkeeping.
In addition to heat treatment, ISPM 15 also includes bark restrictions.
Remaining bark on wood packaging materials cannot exceed:
This requirement further reduces the risk of harboring insects beneath the bark surface.
Not all wood packaging suppliers maintain the same level of quality control, documentation, and process discipline.
A trustworthy supplier should provide:
At Bunkie Wood Products our mission is to help customers receive wood packaging solutions that meet demanding performance requirements — not only for strength and durability, but also for full export compliance.
Whether your products are shipping across the state or across the world, we work to ensure your wood packaging materials arrive without complications at customs or in transit.
International shipping regulations can be complex, but ISPM 15 compliance does not have to be.
By partnering with an experienced and certified wood packaging manufacturer, companies can reduce shipping risks, avoid customs delays, and move products globally with confidence.
If your company exports products internationally and needs certified wood pallets, crates, skids, or custom packaging solutions, Bunkie Wood Products is ready to help.
