Export Packing & ISPM15 Guide: Materials, Marking, Pallets and Best Practice

Export packing is more than just putting products in a carton. The wrong packaging can cause moisture damage, customs rejection, destination quarantine seizure, or ISPM15 non-compliance fines. This guide explains how to pack export cargo correctly, with a focus on wooden packaging, ISPM15, palletisation and moisture control.

Why export packing matters

A well-packed consignment:

• Survives multi-modal handling (truck, port, vessel, destination trucking).
• Complies with ISPM15 (wooden packaging) and destination quarantine.
• Maximises container payload and reduces per-unit freight.
• Protects against moisture, condensation, contamination and pilferage.
• Carries correct markings for handling, traceability and clearance.

ISPM15 — the wooden packaging standard

ISPM15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is the global standard for treatment of wood packaging material in international trade. It applies to:

• Pallets.
• Crates.
• Wooden dunnage.
• Wooden spacers / blocking / bracing.
• Wooden reels (for cables).

It does NOT apply to:

• Processed wood products (plywood, MDF, OSB, particle board).
• Cardboard cartons.
• Plastic or metal packaging.

What ISPM15 requires

Wooden packaging must be:

1. 1**Heat-treated (HT)**: Wood core heated to 56°C for at least 30 continuous minutes.
2. 2**OR Fumigated (MB)**: Treated with Methyl Bromide as per the ISPM15 schedule. (MB is being phased out in many countries due to environmental concerns; HT is preferred.)

After treatment, the wood must carry the ISPM15 mark:

• IPPC logo.
• Two-letter country code (e.g., "IN" for India).
• Unique facility code.
• Treatment code (HT or MB).

> The ISPM15 mark must be on two opposite sides of the wooden packaging. No mark = no compliance, regardless of actual treatment.

How ISPM15 is enforced

• Customs in most countries (EU, US, Australia, NZ, China, GCC) inspect wooden packaging at destination.
• Non-compliant packaging is: refused entry, treated at buyer's cost, returned to origin, or destroyed.
• Some destinations (Australia, New Zealand) are stricter than others.

Palletisation best practice

• **Standard pallets**: 1.2m × 1.0m (EU) or 1.2m × 1.0m (ISO); 1.2m × 1.0m or 1.1m × 1.1m (India).
• **Heat-treated or plastic pallets** for export.
• **Stretch-wrap** each pallet — at least 3–5 turns.
• **Corner boards** for stability and strap protection.
• **Strapping** (PET or steel) for heavy cartons.
• **Label** each pallet with PO number, SKU, carton count, gross weight, origin.
• **Do not exceed container door height** when stacking pallets.

Carton selection

• **Corrugated board**: 5-ply or 7-ply for export depending on weight.
• **Bursting strength**: 16 kg/cm² minimum for general cargo; higher for fragile.
• **Moisture-resistant coating** for humid destinations or sea freight.
• **Edge-crush test (ECT)**: 32 ECT minimum for stacked export cartons.

Moisture and condensation control

Sea freight containers experience temperature swings that cause condensation ("container rain"). Mitigation:

• **Desiccants** (silica gel, clay, calcium chloride) inside cartons and the container.
• **Absorpoles / container desiccants** hung on container walls.
• **VCI (Vapour Corrosion Inhibitor)** paper for metal products.
• **Moisture-barrier liner bags** for sensitive cargo.
• **Kraft paper lining** between layers.
• **Avoid wet or damp pallets** — moisture in the pallet destroys the carton above it.

Marking on cartons and pallets

Each carton / pallet should carry:

• Buyer PO number.
• SKU / product code.
• Carton number (e.g., 1/20, 2/20).
• Gross and net weight.
• Country of origin.
• Handling marks: Fragile, This Way Up, Keep Dry.
• (For food) Production date, batch number, expiry / best-before.
• (For hazardous) GHS pictograms, UN number, class.

Product-specific packing notes

### Food (rice, spices, pulses) - Food-grade liner bags inside PP woven bags. - Palletised with HT pallets or slip sheets. - No contamination risk (no shared containers with chemicals). - Label per destination food labelling law.

### Textiles - Poly-bagged inside cartons to prevent moisture. - Acid-free tissue for premium garments. - Cartons with corner boards; no overhang. - Garments on hangers in hanging cartons for premium retail.

### Cosmetics and personal care - Shrink-wrapped unit cartons. - Palletised with shrink-wrap. - Inner dividers for glass bottles. - Labelling per destination cosmetics regulations.

### Engineering and hardware - Anti-corrosion oil for bare metal. - VCI paper or film. - Palletised with corner boards and strapping. - Heavy items at the bottom of the pallet.

### Chemicals (where exportable) - UN-approved packaging for hazardous. - GHS labels and marks. - Palletised with spill containment where applicable.

Container stuffing best practice

• **Distribute weight** evenly across the container floor.
• **No gaps** between cargo — fill with dunnage or airbags.
• **Heavy items at the bottom**, light items on top.
• **Do not exceed payload** or floor-line weight limits.
• **Lash and brace** cargo for sea transport.
• **Photograph stuffing** — stuffing photos are valuable evidence in any claim.
• **Seal the container** with a high-security bolt seal.

Common mistakes

• Using untreated wood pallets (ISPM15 violation).
• Marking on only one side of the pallet.
• Mixing food with non-food in the same container.
• Over-stacking cartons beyond their ECT rating.
• Skipping desiccants in sea freight.
• Stuffing without dunnage / lashing — cargo shifts in transit.
• Failing to photograph stuffing.

FAQ

**Q: Is plywood exempt from ISPM15?** A: Yes. Processed wood products (plywood, MDF, OSB, particle board, veneer) are exempt because the manufacturing process eliminates the pest risk.

**Q: Do I need a phytosanitary certificate for ISPM15-compliant pallets?** A: No. ISPM15 marking is the compliance proof. A phytosanitary certificate is for the product (e.g., fresh produce), not for the packaging.

**Q: Can I reuse ISPM15-marked pallets?** A: Yes, if the mark is intact and the pallet is not damaged. Damaged or repaired pallets must be re-treated and re-marked.

**Q: Who is responsible if destination customs rejects non-compliant packaging?** A: Typically the exporter (origin-side responsibility) and the buyer (destination-side cost). The contract should specify responsibility and cost allocation.

Key Takeaways

• ISPM15 applies to solid wood packaging — heat-treated (HT) or methyl bromide (MB), marked on two opposite sides.
• Plywood, MDF, particle board, plastic and metal packaging are exempt.
• Use 5-ply / 7-ply cartons, corner boards, strapping and stretch-wrap.
• Control moisture with desiccants, VCI paper and container desiccants.
• Photograph stuffing and seal the container with a high-security bolt seal.

Blueroute Exim (Surat, Gujarat) coordinates export-grade packing, ISPM15-compliant pallets and moisture control on every shipment managed.