Phytosanitary, fumigation and ISPM 15 wood packaging on

Q: In brief: what do you need to be compliant on wood and phyto?

Short answer: all raw wood packaging 6 mm (pallets, crates, dunnage) intended for export must comply with the ISPM 15 standard of the IPPC: treated (heat HT or fumigation) then marked with the IPPC logo. It's required by the EU, the USA, Canada, Brazil, the Gulf and most markets. A phytosanitary certificate is added depending on the count

Q: What is the ISPM 15 standard?

ISPM 15 is the IPPC's international standard governing raw wood packaging 6 mm (pallets, crates, dunnage). It requires a treatment (heat HT or fumigation) and an IPPC marking to prevent the spread of pests.

Q: Do my wooden pallets need to be treated to export olive oil?

Yes, if they are raw wood pallets. They must be treated (HT preferably) and IPPC-marked . Plastic or engineered wood pallets are out of scope and require no treatment.

Q: What does the IPPC marking on a pallet mean?

It comprises the IPPC logo , the country code (TN for Tunisia), the approved operator number and the treatment code (HT for heat, MB for methyl bromide). Without legible marking, the wood is deemed non-compliant.

Q: HT or fumigation: which method to choose?

Heat treatment (HT) — wood core at 56 °C for ≥ 30 min — is universally accepted. Methyl bromide fumigation (MB) is restricted or even banned (including in the EU) for environmental reasons. Favour HT.

Q: Are the ISPM 15 marking and the phytosanitary certificate the same thing?

No. The ISPM 15 / IPPC marking concerns the wood packaging (physically applied). The phytosanitary certificate is a document issued by the competent authority covering the shipment. Some markets require one, the other, or both.

Q: What's the risk with a non-compliant pallet in Brazil?

Brazil applies zero tolerance : if an inspection detects a living organism in the wood, the entire cargo is rejected , not just the pallet. Prefer out-of-scope pallets (plastic/engineered) or an impeccable HT.

Q: Can you avoid ISPM 15?

Yes, by using out-of-scope packaging: plastic or cardboard pallets, or processed wood ones (plywood, OSB, engineered). It's often the simplest solution for strict markets.

Q: What is a fumigation certificate?

It's a document attesting that a fumigation treatment has been carried out on the goods or the packaging, when a market requires it. It's distinct from the ISPM 15 marking and the phytosanitary certificate.

You export olive oil on wooden pallets and you want to avoid the worst — an entire cargo turned away at the port over non-compliant packaging? This guide details the ISPM 15 standard (pallets and wood packaging), the IPPC marking, the phytosanitary certificate, fumigation, and the requirements by market (EU, USA, Brazil, Gulf). Steps, tables, pitfalls to avoid and checklists included.

Free PDF checklist: phytosanitary, fumigation and ISPM 15 wood compliance by market, ready to tick off. Receive it by email »

In brief: what do you need to be compliant on wood and phyto?

Short answer: all raw wood packaging > 6 mm (pallets, crates, dunnage) intended for export must comply with the ISPM 15 standard of the IPPC: treated (heat HT or fumigation) then marked with the IPPC logo. It's required by the EU, the USA, Canada, Brazil, the Gulf and most markets. A phytosanitary certificate is added depending on the country; in the Gulf, it must be original.

Olive oil itself is not a "living" plant with phytosanitary risk: the issue is the wood packaging, a potential vector of pests (wood-boring insects). An untreated pallet can lead, in strict cases (Brazil), to the rejection of the entire cargo. The simplest solution: ISPM 15-compliant pallets or out-of-scope pallets (plastic, engineered wood). This guide is aimed at the exporter (who ensures compliance), but sheds light for the buyer (who checks) and the seller.

Step 1 — Check whether your wood packaging is subject to ISPM 15

ISPM 15 targets raw coniferous or hardwood wood > 6 mm thick used as packaging:

Packaging	Subject to ISPM 15?
Raw wood pallets	Yes — treatment + marking
Raw wood crates / boxes	Yes
Dunnage / bracing wood	Yes
Engineered wood (plywood, OSB, LVL)	No (processed, out of scope)
Plastic pallets	No
Cardboard pallets	No

Key takeaway: if your oil travels on raw wood pallets, ISPM 15 applies. The safest way to avoid any risk is to use out-of-scope pallets (plastic or engineered wood) — especially towards a strict market like Brazil.

Buyer side: ask the supplier, in writing, for the type of pallet and, if it's wood, the proof of IPPC marking. It's your first line of defence against a blockage.

Step 2 — Have the wooden pallets treated and marked (IPPC)

ISPM 15 compliance combines a treatment and a marking:

Treatment	Code	Principle
Heat treatment	HT	Wood core brought to 56 °C for at least 30 min
Methyl bromide fumigation	MB	Fumigant gas (increasingly restricted, banned in the EU)
Dielectric heating	DH	Microwave (less common)

Treated wood receives the IPPC marking: the logo (ear of wheat/globe), the country code (TN for Tunisia), the approved operator number and the treatment code (HT or MB). Without this legible marking, the wood is deemed non-compliant, even if it has been treated.

Methyl bromide (MB): caution. This fumigant is restricted or even banned in several markets (including the EU) for environmental reasons. Favour heat treatment (HT), universally accepted. Check the method accepted by your destination market.

Step 3 — Obtain the phytosanitary certificate when it is required

The phytosanitary certificate attests that the shipment (and its packaging) complies with the importing country's phytosanitary requirements. It's issued by the competent phytosanitary authority of the exporting country (Tunisia), before shipment.

When: required by many markets, with varying rigour. In the Gulf, it must be original (copies refused) and mention quantity, weight, description, invoice and container numbers, plus "fit for human consumption".
Distinct from the ISPM 15 marking: the IPPC marking concerns the wood; the phytosanitary certificate is a document covering the shipment. Some markets require one, the other, or both.
Fumigation certificate: a separate document attesting that a fumigation treatment has been carried out, when it is requested.

Documentary details and blocking nature in the export documents guide. Generate your list with the document checklist.

Exporter side: for the Gulf, plan for the original health/phytosanitary certificate from the file preparation stage — a shipment with a copy will be refused.

Step 4 — Adapt compliance to each market's requirements

Requirements vary greatly by destination:

Market	Wood packaging	Phytosanitary	Point of vigilance
EU	ISPM 15 required (IPPC marking)	Depending on shipment	MB banned → HT
USA	ISPM 15 required	Depending on shipment	Strict entry control
Canada	ISPM 15 required	Depending on shipment	Aligned with USA
Brazil	ISPM 15 strict	Required	Living organism detected = rejection of the entire cargo
Gulf	ISPM 15 required	Original required	Copy refused; strict mentions

Brazil: zero tolerance. If an inspection detects a living organism in the wood packaging, the entire cargo is rejected, not just the pallet. For Brazil, the safest option is the out-of-scope pallet (plastic / engineered) or an impeccable and recent HT. See the country import sheet.

Step 5 — Check and document before loading

Before loading the container:

Visual inspection of the pallets: legible IPPC marking, sound wood (no insects, no mould, no residual bark depending on requirement).
Document consistency: phytosanitary certificate (if required) matching invoice, packing list and B/L.
Archiving: keep the proof of treatment/marking and a photo of the marked pallets — useful in the event of a dispute on arrival.
Alternative: if in doubt on a strict market, switch to plastic or engineered pallets out of ISPM 15 scope.

Buyer side: on receipt, check that the IPPC marking is present and legible before customs clearance. A defect spotted late costs demurrage fees.

Mistakes to avoid with wood and phyto

Untreated / unmarked raw wood pallet → blockage, or even rejection (Brazil).
IPPC marking absent or illegible → wood deemed non-compliant even if it was treated.
Methyl bromide fumigation towards the EU → method refused; use HT.
Phytosanitary certificate as a copy in the Gulf → the original is required.
Residual bark on the wood → non-compliance according to certain requirements.
Confusing the ISPM 15 marking (wood) and the phyto certificate (document) → these are not the same items.
Neglecting Brazil → a living organism detected = entire cargo rejected.

Why anticipate wood/phyto compliance

Three concrete reasons:

Avoid rejection: a non-compliant pallet can cost you the entire cargo (Brazil) — a risk out of all proportion to the cost of a compliant pallet.
Avoid immobilisation: in the Gulf, a certificate as a copy blocks and generates waiting fees at the importer's expense.
Smooth customs clearance: IPPC-marked wood and a consistent phyto file speed up entry on all strict markets.

Wood/phyto compliance is inexpensive relative to the risk: HT marked pallets or out-of-scope ones, original certificate when required. Conclusion: choose the pallet from the quotation stage, secure the phyto by market.

Request a free quote — dated quotation specifying the packaging, the type of pallet and the certificates by market. Drawer pre-filled "Phytosanitary & fumigation guide".

FAQ — Phytosanitary, fumigation and ISPM 15 wood

What is the ISPM 15 standard?

ISPM 15 is the IPPC's international standard governing raw wood packaging > 6 mm (pallets, crates, dunnage). It requires a treatment (heat HT or fumigation) and an IPPC marking to prevent the spread of pests.

Do my wooden pallets need to be treated to export olive oil?

Yes, if they are raw wood pallets. They must be treated (HT preferably) and IPPC-marked. Plastic or engineered wood pallets are out of scope and require no treatment.

What does the IPPC marking on a pallet mean?

It comprises the IPPC logo, the country code (TN for Tunisia), the approved operator number and the treatment code (HT for heat, MB for methyl bromide). Without legible marking, the wood is deemed non-compliant.

HT or fumigation: which method to choose?

Heat treatment (HT) — wood core at 56 °C for ≥ 30 min — is universally accepted. Methyl bromide fumigation (MB) is restricted or even banned (including in the EU) for environmental reasons. Favour HT.

Do you need a phytosanitary certificate for olive oil?

Depending on the market. It's required by many countries and covers the shipment and its packaging. In the Gulf, it must be original (copies refused), with strict mentions (quantity, weight, invoice/container numbers, "fit for human consumption").

Are the ISPM 15 marking and the phytosanitary certificate the same thing?

No. The ISPM 15 / IPPC marking concerns the wood packaging (physically applied). The phytosanitary certificate is a document issued by the competent authority covering the shipment. Some markets require one, the other, or both.

What's the risk with a non-compliant pallet in Brazil?

Brazil applies zero tolerance: if an inspection detects a living organism in the wood, the entire cargo is rejected, not just the pallet. Prefer out-of-scope pallets (plastic/engineered) or an impeccable HT.

Can you avoid ISPM 15?

Yes, by using out-of-scope packaging: plastic or cardboard pallets, or processed wood ones (plywood, OSB, engineered). It's often the simplest solution for strict markets.

What is a fumigation certificate?

It's a document attesting that a fumigation treatment has been carried out on the goods or the packaging, when a market requires it. It's distinct from the ISPM 15 marking and the phytosanitary certificate.

Who issues the phytosanitary certificate in Tunisia?

The Tunisian competent phytosanitary authority, before shipment. The lead time and cost depend on the body — to be confirmed when preparing the documentary file.

How can you be sure you're compliant before loading?

Three reflexes: (1) check the legible IPPC marking on each wooden pallet, (2) gather the phytosanitary certificate (original if Gulf) consistent with invoice/packing list/B/L, (3) if in doubt on a strict market, switch to out-of-scope pallets. Use the document checklist.

Take action

You know how to avoid the rejection and immobilisation linked to wood and phyto. The next step: lock in the packaging and the certificates by market in your quotation.

Request a free quote — quotation specifying pallet, wood treatment and certificates by destination.

Free PDF checklist (lead magnet): receive by email the "Phytosanitary, fumigation & ISPM 15 wood by market" checklist — treatment, IPPC marking and certificate by country, ready to tick off. Simple sign-up (Brevo double opt-in), no spam. Receive the PDF checklist »

To go further: the export documents guide, the country import sheets hub and the customs & agreements guide.

July 2026 market data, indicative and to be re-verified before any commitment. Reference sources: IPPC — ISPM 15 standard, EU/USA/Brazil/Gulf phytosanitary regulations, ONH/CEPEX (Tunisia).