Heat treatment uses a controlled treatment cycle to reduce pest risks in wood packaging. For conventional ISPM 15 heat treatment, the wood must reach at least 56°C throughout its profile, including the core, for at least 30 minutes. That holding period is not the total time needed to load, heat, treat and unload an order.
For a Surrey exporter, the practical questions are whether the pallets suit the load, whether the treatment and marking meet the shipment’s requirements, and whether the order will be ready before freight collection.
Prepare the order before treatment
Start with the pallet specification: dimensions, quantity, product footprint, loaded weight and handling method. Tell the supplier where the goods are going and whether the receiving customer has its own packaging requirements. A pallet that meets a treatment requirement still needs to fit the product and the equipment that will move it.
Ask how the order will be supplied and which treatment documentation is available. Keep the agreed specification with the purchase order so that the receiving team can compare the delivered pallets with what was requested.
Use the treatment schedule for the actual wood and equipment
The treatment operator follows an applicable schedule for the wood and treatment equipment. CFIA guidance explains that wood size, species, moisture and equipment can affect the schedule; some operations use approved generic schedules, while others need a site-specific schedule developed by a recognized evaluator.
The important distinction is between the required wood temperature and the chamber’s air temperature. A hot chamber alone does not establish that the wood has completed treatment. Ask the supplier how the treatment is controlled and recorded rather than treating a quoted chamber temperature as proof.
Check treatment and marking together
For Canadian exports to countries applying ISPM 15, CFIA guidance calls for compliant treatment, debarking and an IPPC mark under an approved program. The current rules for a particular shipment should be checked with the freight forwarder or the relevant plant-health authority before dispatch. Requirements can differ by origin, destination and route.
At receiving, check that the agreed pallet specification and required marks are present and readable. If a mark is missing or unclear, resolve it before the pallets are packed and sent. Do not add a mark yourself or assume that a treatment claim on an invoice replaces the required marking.
Keep treatment separate from other pallet requirements
Do not use heat treatment as a substitute for specifying moisture, cleanliness, load suitability or storage conditions. If the customer needs a particular moisture limit or inspection standard, include that as a separate requirement in the order.
Similarly, an old treatment mark should not be the only basis for deciding whether a repaired pallet is suitable for export. Have the supplier confirm what is required for that pallet and shipment.
What to send with a heat-treated pallet inquiry
Send AR Pallets the dimensions, quantity, loaded weight, destination, planned freight date and delivery address. Include any written packaging instructions from the customer. Ask the team to confirm the available heat-treated pallet option, marking requirements and lead time for that order.
Contact AR Pallets to discuss the specification before placing an order. For broader shipment planning, read the export pallet guide.
