How to read an ISPM 15 pallet stamp

Read the complete mark

Look for the IPPC symbol, a two-letter country code, the allocated producer or treatment-provider identifier and the treatment abbreviation. HT denotes conventional heat treatment; DH denotes dielectric heating; MB and SF identify fumigation treatments. A standalone HT label or the letters “ISPM15” on an invoice are not the full mark.

Look at each packaging unit

Make the mark check part of goods-in and dispatch. Do not inspect only the top pallet in a stack or rely on a photograph of a sample from an earlier order. Make sure markings can still be seen after wrapping, strapping or fitting a pallet collar. If they are damaged, obscured or difficult to interpret, stop and ask the supplier before the goods leave.

A photograph is evidence, not certification

Photograph the actual pallet and a clear close-up of its mark alongside your order or shipment reference. That can help resolve an enquiry about the packaging used. It does not authenticate a supplier, prove a treatment took place or replace the exporter’s checks. Avoid editing a mark photograph or using a sample stamp image as evidence for a different consignment.

Take punctuation seriously for US shipments

APHIS has highlighted the mandatory hyphen separating the country code and producer code, with its temporary suspension ending on 31 December 2025. For US-bound consignments, ask your supplier and forwarder to review the complete marking format. Do not correct the mark yourself. Obtain a properly resolved packaging unit through the responsible provider.

Read the mark as a set of connected elements

The symbol, country identifier, provider identifier and treatment code work together. A treatment code detached from the other information does not identify the responsible provider. A mark must be assessed on the physical packaging being shipped, not on a stock image, generic sales sheet or a different pallet shown as a sample.

Our own rectangular ISPM15Pallets business logo is branding. It is not the IPPC symbol, a producer registration or a packaging certification mark. A website logo cannot certify a delivered pallet.

Legibility and position matter

Check marks before wrapping makes inspection difficult. Look for complete, readable markings and discuss any unclear characters with the supplier. The UK marking programme specifies marking on two opposite vertical surfaces. A single photograph may not show both sides, so include the inspection of the physical unit in goods-in and packing procedures.

Do not ink over a missing character yourself or add an unofficial stamp to make the pallet look complete. Set the unit aside, record the delivery reference and ask the responsible provider to resolve the issue.

Several marks need context

An older pallet can carry evidence of previous uses or work. Multiple marks should prompt questions about its history and any repairs; they are not a simple count of how many times the pallet has been approved. If earlier marks conflict or the repair history is unclear, obtain clarification before dispatch.

For UK repair and remanufacture, the scheme has specific re-treatment, obliteration and re-marking requirements, with any exceptional arrangements requiring the relevant authorisation. A buyer should not assume that a marked replacement board makes an altered pallet acceptable.

A mark does not prove every product claim

ISPM 15 is about plant-health risk. It is not a weight rating, exchange-pool licence, food-contact approval or guarantee of dryness. Read any other markings against the relevant product specification. For example, “Euro-size” describes a footprint, while an EPAL requirement concerns a licensed product and its acceptance conditions.

Take photographs of questionable marks and the complete pallet, including damage or changes. That gives the supplier a much better basis for investigation than a close-up of the letters HT alone.