From ISPM to UKTR: Understanding Wooden Packaging Laws for Global Shipping

Shipping sensitive items internationally?

Ensuring compliance with wooden packaging regulations is crucial. 

That’s because non-compliance can lead to delays, fines, or even destruction of your goods. 

So, understanding the key legislation, such as ISPM 15 and the UK Timber Regulations (UKTR), is essential for smooth international trade.

In this article, we’ll outline key legislation related to wooden crates used for export packing.

What is ISPM 15?

The International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (or, ISPM 15) is an international standard that sets requirements for treating and marking solid wood packaging, such as pallets and crates. Its purpose is to prevent the spread of pests and plant diseases during global trade.

As of 2021, if you’re moving equipment between Great Britain and the EU (including member states and Switzerland) using solid wood packaging, you must meet ISPM 15 standards.

While the standard is widely adopted across the globe, specific requirements can vary by country. Therefore, always verify the import regulations of the destination country before shipping.

What does ISPM 15 apply to?

ISPM 15 applies to solid wood packaging material (WPM) used to support, contain, or brace equipment, including:

• Packing cases, boxes, and crates
• Pallets, pallet collars, and load boards
• Drums and similar containers
• Dunnage

But note that it doesn’t apply to:

• Plywood, OSB, particleboard, and other processed, composite woods
• Raw wood that’s 6mm thick or less
• Barrels for wines and spirits that are heat-treated during manufacturing
• Gift boxes or packing materials made from processed wood, sawdust, shavings, or cardboard

See our guide for more detail: What is ISPM? And Who Does it Apply To?

How do you comply with ISPM 15?

To comply with ISPM 15, WPM must be:

• Made from debarked wood (small patches of bark are permitted under strict size conditions)
• Treated by one of the following approved methods:
  • Heat treatment: Heated to 56°C for at least 30 continuous minutes throughout its core. Alternatively, you can use dielectric heating, which involves raising wood to 60°C for one minute if the piece is no more than 20cm wide
  • Fumigation: Fumigated using methyl bromide or sulphuryl fluoride, and debarked prior to treatment. This treatment can only be carried out by certified operators
• Marked with the official ISPM 15 stamp, including the two-letter ISO country code, producer or treatment code, and treatment method used

Failure to comply with ISPM 15 can cause delays and additional costs, and you could be made to:

• Repackage the goods
• Re-treat the wood
• Apply ISPM 15-compliant markings
• Destroy the packaging
• Return the packaging—or even the goods themselves

Discover the dos and don’ts of ISPM 15 in our guide here.

Finally, please note that, to be able to produce packaging that complies with ISPM 15, you must be a member of the UK Wood Packaging Material Marking Programme (UKWPMMP) and undergo assessments of your facility every six months.

You can find additional information about complying with ISPM 15 via the UK Government’s official webpage here.

What are UKTR and FLEGT?

The Timber and Timber Products Placing on the Market Regulations (UKTR) and UK Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) regulations have been in force in Great Britain since January 2021. 

Their purpose is to prevent the import and sale of illegally harvested timber and timber products in the UK, and requires that due diligence in the form of a risk assessment be performed prior to any wood or wood products being introduced.

How do you comply with UKTR?

UKTR impacts both businesses that first place timber or timber products on the GB market and businesses that buy or sell timber products already on the GB market.

For businesses placing timber products on the GB market, the regulations require them to implement a due diligence system (DDS) to assess and mitigate the risk of illegal timber in their supply chains. This involves:

• Collecting details about the timber, including quantity, supplier, country of harvest and compliance with applicable legislation
• Evaluating the risk of illegal timber entering the supply chain, considering factors like the prevalence of illegal logging in the source region
• Implementing measures to reduce identified risks to negligible levels, such as obtaining additional information or certifications

For businesses buying or selling timber products already on the GB market, the regulations require them to maintain records of their suppliers and customers for at least five years to ensure traceability. 

How do you comply with FLEGT?

The FLEGT licensing scheme is part of the UK's efforts to ensure legal timber trade.

Timber imported from countries with a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the UK, (currently only Indonesia) must be accompanied by a FLEGT licence. 

This licence verifies the legality of the timber, and importers must submit it to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) for verification before customs clearance. 

Failure to comply with UKTR and FLEGT regulations can result in serious consequences, including:

• Repackaging or treatment to meet standards
• Destruction or return to supplier
• Legal action and fines

Find further guidance on complying with the UKTR and FLEGT regulations via the UK Government’s official webpage here.

Work with a supplier you can trust

At IES, we’ve been helping OEMs and end users pack and ship complex, high-value capital equipment since 1991.

We have extensive experience working with international packaging regulations, and produce our own bespoke ISPM 15 & BS1133 compliant wooden cases for transportation.

Head to our service page to find out more about how we can support your project.