Check the whole packaging construction
The standard excludes packaging made wholly from qualifying processed wood, such as plywood, particle board or oriented strand board made using glue, heat or pressure. Packaging made entirely from wood no more than 6 mm thick is also outside its scope. A plywood case with solid-timber bearers needs a different assessment from a case made entirely from processed material.
Plastic and metal alternatives
Non-wood pallet choices can be useful where raw timber is undesirable. Compare handling compatibility, deck support, weight, durability and the receiving customer’s acceptance criteria. An exemption from a wood-packaging standard is not a general exemption from every import, hygiene, recycling or product-specific requirement.
Do not forget the loose pieces
A shipment on a plastic pallet may still include solid-timber blocking, wedges, collars or internal bracing. List those items in the packing specification. Changing the base material will not answer the compliance question for other wood used to support and protect the cargo.
Make substitutions visible
If the supplier proposes a different material or construction, have the person responsible for packaging approve it before dispatch. Keep a drawing or description with the purchase order. An alternative can solve one problem while creating another if it does not suit a conveyor, rack, fork opening or customer unloading system.
Mixed construction: a practical example
A case with processed-wood side panels can still have solid timber runners, internal blocks and a raw-wood frame. Assess those components individually and as part of the finished packaging. Ask the supplier for a material description rather than relying on the most visible panel material.
If the design changes, review the exemption reasoning again. Adding a solid timber batten to an otherwise exempt construction can introduce a different plant-health question.
Non-wood alternatives still need a product assessment
Plastic and other non-wood bases may avoid a raw-wood packaging requirement for the base itself, but must still suit the load and customer’s equipment. Any timber added around them needs its own review. Confirm the material and exact product specification offered, including condition and any customer restrictions.
An exemption from ISPM 15 does not mean exemption from all destination, cargo or hygiene requirements. Use the importer’s instructions for the complete shipment.
Sources & further reading
Australian Department of Agriculture: ISPM 15 (opens in a new tab)References reviewed 7 October 2026. Confirm the current rules for your shipment with the relevant authority or freight adviser.