The mark, line by line
| Element | What it is | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat ear in a box | The IPPC symbol | The pallet follows ISPM 15 |
| Country code | Two letters, such as US | Where the wood was treated or made |
| Producer code | Number or letters | Which facility applied the mark |
| HT | Heat treatment | The wood core reached the required heat |
ISPM 15 requires a wood core of at least 56 degrees C (133 F) for a minimum of 30 minutes, and requires wood to be debarked first. Remaining bark must be under 3 cm wide or, if wider, under 50 square centimetres in area.
What the mark does not mean
- It does not mean the pallet is clean or new.
- It does not stop mold: a pallet loaded hot into a van can mold.
- It does not tell you who owns the pallet.
Checking a stack
Stand in front of the stack and look at the same spot on each pallet, usually a middle block or the stringer end. A partial or smudged mark is not valid; a pallet with no mark in a stack of marked ones should be set aside. If you are shipping, read ISPM 15 for export from Utah.
Is HT the only treatment?
No. ISPM 15 also allows fumigation, but heat treatment is the usual choice for pallets.
Can I add a stamp myself?
No. The mark must be applied under an approved programme, and an ordinary dock cannot apply it.
To ask for marked stock, use heat-treated pallets and the quote form.
Reading it on the stack
The mark usually sits on a block or a stringer end, on two opposite sides, so a forklift driver can find it without lifting the pallet. Look for the wheat-shaped symbol, a country code, a producer number and the letters HT. Smudged ink or a partial burn is a reason to ask again.
- Symbol: the IPPC wheat ear.
- Country code: two letters for the origin.
- Producer: a number assigned to the treating facility.
- Treatment: HT for heat, or MB for the older fumigation.
When a stamp looks wrong
A mark painted on afterwards, a mark that is very faint on only one side, or a producer number that no one can explain are all worth a second look. Send the photo with the request and ask the supplier to confirm what it shows before you build the load.
Where do I find the stamp?
On a block or stringer end, usually on two opposite sides of the pallet.
What does a missing mark mean?
The pallet is not certified for export, whatever its age or how it looks.
Can a stamp be repainted?
A painted-on mark is suspect. A genuine mark is burned or branded into the wood.
Photographing a stamp
A good photograph shows the whole mark and a bit of the wood around it, in raking light that picks out the burn. Take one from arm's length for context and one close up. Add a ruler or a coin for scale. A forwarder or broker can read a clear photograph without visiting.