In the world of pallets, shortcuts can quickly turn into costly mistakes, especially when your goods are crossing international borders.
That’s why understanding key processes like heat treatment is so important. It might sound technical, but it’s actually a simple step that can save you major hassles down the track. And knowing what to look for means you can be confident your pallets wron’t get held up at customs or trigger expensive shipment delays.
Let’s explore what you need to know about why heat-treated pallets matter, how they protect your supply chain, and what to expect when you work with a supplier who gets it right.
What is the heat treatment of wooden pallets?
Heat treatment of wooden pallets is a process that raises the core temperature of a wooden pallet to at least 56°C for 30 minutes. This is just long enough to kill off any pests or pathogens hiding in the timber, all without using a single chemical.
If you’re shipping overseas, this process isn’t optional. It’s a requirement under the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15), which sets the rules for how wood packaging needs to be treated before crossing borders. Without it, your pallets, and your goods, could be rejected, delayed or even destroyed at customs.
That’s why most countries won’t accept untreated pallets. Regions like Europe, Asia and North America take ISPM 15 compliance very seriously, and failing to meet the standard can quickly turn into costly shipping headaches for you.
Why heat-treated pallets make life easier for your supply chain?
If you’re shipping at scale, you don’t want pallets causing you problems. Heat treatment keeps your goods moving and your supply chain out of trouble.
Here’s how:
1. It reduces risk at border
Delays and rejections don’t just happen. They’re usually the result of a missing stamp or a questionable pallet. Heat treatment makes sure every pallet you source meets the standard and is ready for export
When you’re working with tight deadlines and high-value goods, the last thing you need is a holdup at the border. Using heat-treated pallets takes that risk off the table, so your shipments keep moving and you can get on with the job.
2. It supports longer pallet life
Heat treatment drives out excess moisture in the timber, which slows down rot, mould and structural breakdown over time. That means fewer damaged pallets, fewer returns from the warehouse floor, and less money spent on replacements.
Think of it like this, it’s a long-term cost-saving move that helps your operation run smoother.
3. It keeps your goods (and your team) safe
Some pallet treatments use harsh chemicals like methyl bromide, which is toxic and heavily restricted in many countries. Heat treatment does the same job without the chemicals, making it a safer, cleaner choice for your team, your products and your customers.
How Palletwest delivers reliable heat-treated pallets?
Palletwest is one of the few suppliers in Western Australia with a fully licensed onsite ISPM 15 heat treatment facility. That means we control the entire process from start to finish, so you don’t have to worry about delays or quality issues.
Here’s what that looks like for you:
- No delays from third-party processors: Since we handle heat treatment in-house, your orders aren’t stuck waiting around at outside facilities. This leads to faster turnaround times, even for large or custom orders.
- Full traceability and compliance documentation: Every pallet we treat comes with the proper ISPM 15 stamp and certification. You get clear paperwork that proves your pallets meet export standards.
- Rapid turnaround, even on bulk orders: Whether you need 20 pallets or 2,000, we have the capacity and systems in place to deliver quickly without cutting corners.
- Consistent quality assurance: Because we control every step, from timber selection to treatment and delivery, you can trust that every pallet leaving our yard meets the highest standards.
To back up our commitment to reliability, Palletwest provides fast, certified, locally heat-treated pallets, with convenient 1-hour delivery windows designed around your schedule.
The hidden risks of skipping heat treatment
We’ve touched on the importance of heat treatment for export. But what happens if you skip it, or your pallets don’t meet the standard?
This is where the real risks show up.
When pallets aren’t compliant with ISPM 15, you’re facing more than minor shipping roadblocks. You’re opening the door to costly consequences, like:
- Shipments being held, rejected or destroyed at customs.
- Contract penalties or lost clients due to delays.
- Regulatory audits and non-compliance fines.
- Damage to your reputation if pests or pathogens make it through.
When you look at the risks, it’s obvious. Even one non-compliant pallet can cause serious trouble if you’re operating at scale.
That’s why investing in properly certified, heat-treated pallets from the outset isn’t just smart; it’s essential for protecting your bottom line and your brand.
At Palletwest, we make sure compliance is never in question. Our in-house heat treatment, full documentation, and quality controls give you the assurance you need to move goods confidently, no matter the destination.
FAQs about heat-treated wooden pallets
1. Can heat treatment completely eliminate pests in wood pallets?
Yes. Heat treatment is designed to eliminate pests by raising the core temperature of the wood to a level that kills off insects, larvae and other pathogens.
It’s a chemical-free solution that ensures wooden pallets meet international export standards and prevents the spread of invasive species across borders.
2. Are all types of materials, including hardwood and softwood, suitable for heat treatment?
Generally, yes. Both hardwood and softwood pallets can be heat-treated as long as they are solid wood. Composite materials like plywood or MDF don’t require treatment under ISPM 15. But solid wood pallets must go through the process to comply with international shipping rules.
3. How can I tell if a pallet has been chemically treated instead of heat-treated?
Look for the stamp. ISPM 15 requires pallets to be marked with a specific code indicating the type of treatment. ‘HT’ means heat-treated, while ‘MB’ refers to methyl bromide. Always choose HT-stamped pallets for safe, compliant shipping.
4. Why is methyl bromide still used in some chemically treated pallets if it’s restricted?
While banned in many countries, some regions still permit limited use of methyl bromide. However, it poses serious health risks and is being phased out globally. Heat treatment is widely accepted, safer and environmentally responsible, which is why it’s the preferred choice among most exporters.
Keep your supply chain on track
Every delay, rejection or damaged pallet costs your business time and money. That’s why it pays to work with a supplier who prioritises speed, compliance and consistency from the start.
At PalletWest, we make it easy to stay on top of ISPM 15 requirements with certified, locally heat-treated pallets, ready to go when you are. No waiting. No second-guessing. Simply reliable support and delivery windows that work around your schedule.
Talk to our team today and get the pallets you need, exactly when you need them.