Export Packaging Tips from the Pros

Tip #1 - Adding pieces of wood to an ISPM 15 compliant pallet and/or crate:
Some companies purchase ISPM 15 marked wood packaging materials. (pallets, crates, etc.) to be used in the shipping of its product.  In some cases the product is loaded onto the ISPM 15 marked WPM and secured by adding additional pieces of wood to the original ISPM 15 WPM product.  How can this scenario be handled under ISPM 15?
Present Practice:  The added pieces of wood used to secure the product can be labeled using ISPM 15 markings by the companies adding pieces to previous labeled ISPM 15 WPM product. Labeling in this fashion makes these companies responsible for the added pieces of wood and the original WPM manufacturer respon-sible for the original ISPM 15 marked WPM.

Tip #2 - Using ISPM 15 compliant packaging from several sources:
Facility C purchases an ISPM 15 marked box top from facility A and the ISPM 15 marked box bottom is  purchased from facility B.  Facility C then constructs the sides and assembles the box.  How can this scenario be handled under ISPM 15?
Present Practice:  Facility C can construct the sides and label the individual sides ISPM 15 then assemble the sides using facility A and facility B parts into an ISPM 15 compliant box. In this case the ISPM 15 marks of Facilities A and B remain on the finished WPM product.

Tip #3 - Marking ISPM 15 packaging that is covered with materials that are not solid wood materials: 
In some cases the WPM consist of an inner support skeleton of wood that is covered by cardboard,
plywood or some similar material that is not solid wood.  In these scenarios no solid wood can be
seen on the outside of the WPM.  How can the WPM product be marked under ISPM 15?
Present Practice:  In such cases the ISPM 15 mark can be applied to the outside of the WPM product.  In addition the ISPM 15 mark should be applied to the skeleton wood component(s) for evidence of compliance to ISPM 15 should the WPM ever be disassembled and inspected by the import country.

Tip #4 - Using larger timbers or skids:
Some large WPM requires the use of large timbers or skids. These large size pieces are apparently
difficult to obtain with HT markings but may be available with fumigation markings that indicate
ISPM 15 compliance.  Can these fumigated pieces be incorporated into WPM that is to be labeled ISPM
15 HT complaint? 
Present Practice:  Provided each piece that has been fumigated is clearly marked as ISPM 15 compliant by an agency recognized under the APHIS fumigation program the fumigated piece(s) may be incorporated into an ISPM 15 HT labeled WPM product.

Note:  Given a multitude of variations under the above scenarios, the marking of ISPM 15 WPM may require further investigation, both initially and ongoing to assure proper marking of ISPM 15 WPM.

Source content: Timber Products Inspection Company