Do You Need Heat-Treated Standard Pallets (ISPM-15 Overview for Stock Pallets)

When you’re ordering standard pallets, one of the most common questions is whether they need to be heat treated.

The answer depends almost entirely on where your shipment is going and how the pallet will be used.

If you’re shipping domestically within the United States, heat treatment is often not required.

If you’re exporting internationally, it almost always is.

Here’s what that means in practical terms.

What Is ISPM-15?

ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is an international regulation designed to prevent the spread of insects and plant diseases through wood packaging materials.

It applies to:

  • Wood pallets

  • Crates

  • Dunnage

  • Skids

  • Blocking and bracing materials

Under ISPM-15, wood packaging must be:

  • Heat treated to a core temperature of 56°C (133°F) for at least 30 minutes

  • Marked with an official IPPC stamp

  • Produced by a certified facility

This stamp verifies compliance and is required by most countries for entry.

If you’re unsure whether your shipment falls under export rules, review our page on Export Pallets & Crates: ISPM-15, Heat Treatment, & Shipping Requirements.

When Heat Treatment Is Required

You typically need heat-treated standard pallets when:

  1. You’re Shipping Internationally

    Any export shipment using solid wood packaging will require ISPM-15 compliance.

    Without proper marking, your shipment may be:

    • Delayed

    • Rejected at port

    • Destroyed

    • Returned at your expense

    Even a single untreated pallet can create major issues for an otherwise compliant shipment.

  2. Your Customer Requires It

    Some domestic customers require heat-treated pallets for:

    • Food manufacturing

    • Pharmaceutical facilities

    • Clean manufacturing environments

    • Certain retail distribution centers

    In these cases, the requirement is contractual rather than regulatory.

  3. You Want Standardization Across All Shipments

    Some companies choose to use heat-treated pallets for everything to:

    • Avoid confusion

    • Prevent shipping errors

    • Simplify purchasing policies

    • Reduce compliance risk

    This can make sense for companies that ship both domestically and internationally.

When Heat Treatment is NOT Required

You typically do not need heat treatment when:

  • Shipping domestically within the U.S.

  • Moving pallets between your own facilities

  • Shipping goods that remain inside the country

For many domestic applications, standard untreated pallets are perfectly acceptable and more cost-effective.

If you’re unsure whether a stock pallet will meet your handling requirements, you may also want to review: Are Your Pallets Safe for Racking? Rackable vs. Non-Rackable Pallets Explained.

Does Heat Treatment Make the Pallet Stronger?

No.

Heat treatment is a compliance requirement, not a strength upgrade.

It does not:

  • Increase load capacity

  • Improve structural design

  • Make a pallet rackable

  • Prevent damage under heavy loads

If your concern is strength, review: How Much Weight Can a Pallet Really Handle? Load Limits Explained.

Or consider whether a custom design is required: Standard vs. Custom Pallets: Which Is Right for Your Load?

Heat-Treated vs. Kiln-Dried: What’s the Difference?

These terms are often confused.

  • Heat-treated (HT) = Treated to meet ISPM-15 core temperature requirements

  • Kiln-dried (KD) = Dried to reduce moisture content

A pallet can be heat treated without being kiln dried, and vice versa.

For export purposes, the pallet must meet ISPM-15 standards and carry the proper IPPC stamp.

Cost Considerations

Heat-treated pallets typically cost slightly more than untreated stock pallets due to:

  • Certification requirements

  • Processing time

  • Documentation and stamping

For most export shipments, the cost difference is small compared to the risk of non-compliance.

If you’re evaluating overall pallet costs, see: How Much Do Standard Pallets Cost? What Affects Pricing and Availability.

Common Mistakes We See

  • Assuming all pallets are heat treated by default

  • Ordering untreated pallets for export shipments

  • Confusing kiln-dried with ISPM-15 compliant

  • Forgetting that dunnage and blocking materials must also comply

Small oversights can create large shipping delays.

The Practical Decision

Ask three questions:

  1. Is this shipment leaving the country?

  2. Has my customer required ISPM-15 compliance?

  3. Do I want to standardize heat treatment across all shipments?

If the answer to any of these is yes, heat-treated standard pallets are likely the right choice.

If not, untreated stock pallets may be the most efficient and economical solution.

Need Heat-Treated Standard Pallets?

If you’re shipping internationally or need certified HT stock pallets, we can supply compliant material quickly through our partner network.

Tell us:

  • Quantity

  • Destination country (if exporting)

  • Size requirements

  • Delivery timeline

We’ll confirm compliance and availability and provide a straightforward quote.

Request a quote today and ensure your shipment moves without compliance delays.

Request a Quote

Or call us at (630) 765-5476.