International shipping is usually not anybody’s favorite thing to think about. Restrictions and regulations are complicated, fees are expensive, and transportation methods are limited. Some people get a headache just thinking about it! Thankfully, here at Lakeland Pallets, we’re able to help your international shipping make it to the destination without a hitch. We also have the information that you need to know, and we’ll boil it down to a few straightforward points.
The first thing you need to know about international freight shipping is that not just any pallet is going to get your product there safely. You’re going to need to make sure you have the right pallet for the job. For international shipping, most countries are strict about only allowing pallets that fulfill the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15). If your pallets aren’t ISPM 15 certified, it’s likely that your goods will either be quarantined for a lengthy period of time, or even disposed of. You won’t run that risk if you make sure you are getting a quality heat-treated pallet that complies with ISPM 15.
Not only do the pallets need to be ISPM 15 compliant, so do the crates or boxes. There are two ways to make sure your crates and boxes are safe to transport goods internationally. The first is to make sure you get your wood boxes with ISPM 15 stamps from a reliable distributer. The other would be to avoid non-manufactured wood and pack in cardboard, plywood, plastic, etc.
Another increasingly popular option is to invest in actual plastic pallets. These are easy to clean and reuse, and if you’re keeping them within your own system they can save you money by lasting much longer than standard wood pallets. Plastic pallets are ISPM 15 exempt, which also makes international shipping much easier.
We hope this knowledge takes some of the headache out of international shipping for your company. If you have any questions, or would like to place an order, feel free to contact us!
