Treatment of Wooden Pallets

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Did they specify what sort of "vermin attack"? Maybe the pallets were made from wood that had some worm/insect holes in it. If the fumigation killed any such bugs, the holes would still be there, but maybe no harm done. Were any vermin actually seen emerging?

Plastic pallets might be a good alternative.

A placard to the effect that "This container has been fumigated. Ventilate for x minutes before entering" might also be a good idea, if not already being done.

The links in my article are still good:

http://www.productionmachining.com/articles/wooden-pallet-regulations-delayed

Milo

It should be no problem to check with your pallet supplier and ask for ISPM 15 certified pallets. These pallets would be heat treated to kill all vermin and have a special stamp on them showing they are certified.

The recommendation to follow ISPM 15 is a good recommendation. The solid wood pallets to go international must meet treatment methods according to ISPM standards that each country has put into place.

There are 2 basic treatments for the wood pallets. One is to pretreat the wood/pallet with heat to kill off bugs. The second is to have the wood treated with chemicals which are designed to kill the same. Both methods allows the manufacturer of wood pallets to apply an ISPM stamp that shows the treatment method.

Whether you are going to Germany (really the EU) alone or other countries, too, you need to reference the ISPM 15 standards so as to meet the receiving countries requirements. As usual, there are variations from country to country.

Most of the export customs houses or crating firms know about the ISPM requirements and can guide you to effective use of treated pallets and wood. BTW, pallets made from plastic or wood composite, i.e. laminated or compressed wood fiber and chips, are exempt in a lot of cases.

For more info go to these sites and find more out about the requirements. Commercial sites http://www.ispm15.com/ http://www.ispm15.com/start.htm

Regulatory site for the EU: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/wpm/country/european_union.shtml

You are absolutely correct! We specify to our pallet supplier to supply us ISPM 15 pallets when we ship over seas.

Hi QA,

It's irrelevent what kind of pallets we send to other countries. The most important is what we receive here, Gil.

Hi Warren,

Yes, we have rules and regulations but we have invested forests and waters with imported items. Rules and regulations are "one", discipline and following the laws is "another" subject.

Rules and regulations never solved human's or nature's problems.

Follow the effect of our irresponsible actions. Global warming, possible to navigate through in the North of Canada. Murmansk-Churchill by boats, train from Churchill to Winnipeg and further. The permafrost defrost and the train can sinks and never arrive to destination. The cost of the train will be enornous, in the billions and to maintain constantly. Every kg or lb delivered will be higher and higher price to compensate to expenses. It's not a good solution for the future.

We have to create and force people to use the right things. Wooden pallets can and must be replaced by metal (corrosion problems), laminated or compressed composites made with wooden chips, unused vegetable fibres, and recycled plastics. That way we have reuseable pallets and do not contaminate others nature and life. Many chemical treatments are inefficient or made without control and we get what we already have from many shipped pallets.

It's hard to be obedient but the cost in the future, after infectious infestation, is high and late, without efficiency. It's the same with environmental pollution, global warming. Every country has some rules and regulations against but our waters are polluted, our air is not clean, and I can continue.

Impose and return to sender all wooden pallets, Gil.

Hi Samp,

It's hard to accept wooden pallets from "any" countries. In Canada, we are infested by all kinds of bugs killing our trees and forests. I understand that is hard for you to find sales with deliveries but don't send uninvited animals to us. Our pristine forests are attacked by them and our drinking water is infested by carpes, jumping fishes which eating everything good for our tables. I agree with Nigh to burn all wooden pallets but at the original places, at yours, before sending something anywhere.

My suggestion is that you must create pallets from laminated or compressed wood chips/fibres/plastic composites, and it can be used multiple times by anyone.

Never send wooden pallets out of your country! Please, be considerated. Friendly appreciation from Gil.