§1Side by side
| Point | Heat treatment (HT) | Methyl bromide (MB) |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment | Minimum 56 °C for 30 continuous minutes through the whole wood profile | Fumigation to the schedule in ISPM 15 Annex 1 |
| Mark code | HT | MB |
| Bark removal | May be done after treatment | Must be done before treatment |
| Environmental note | No chemical residue | IPPC recommends replacing or reducing methyl bromide use |
| US programme | ALSC-accredited agencies, under agreement with APHIS | Certified fumigators enrolled through ALSC-accredited agencies |
§2What ISPM 15 requires
Wood packaging must be debarked (small pieces of bark under 3 cm wide, or wider pieces under 50 cm² each, may remain), treated by an approved method, and marked with the IPPC symbol, the ISO country code, the producer or treatment-provider code and the treatment code. The mark should go on at least two opposite sides.
Packaging made wholly of thin wood (6 mm or less) or of processed wood such as plywood, particle board or OSB is exempt.
§3Which to specify
For most US buyers, HT is the default: it is widely available and avoids chemical handling. Ask for MB only if a specific destination requires it, and confirm the destination still accepts it. If treatment is the problem, presswood or plastic pallets avoid ISPM 15 entirely.
§4Test it on your numbers
The calculator opens with both options loaded. Enter your own quotes; nothing is pre-filled.
| Input | ||
|---|---|---|
| Delivered price per pallet ($)From your supplier's quote, including delivery. | ||
| Disposal / handling per trip ($)What you or the receiver pay to get rid of it. | ||
| Buyback credit ($)Credit per pallet from a buyback program, if any. | ||
| Pallet weight (lb)Weigh a sample. | ||
| Freight ($ per cwt)Your LTL rate per 100 lb, if you pay by weight. | ||
| Freight legs per tripLoaded legs that carry the pallet's weight. | ||
| Cost per trip | n/a | n/a |
| Cost per year | n/a | n/a |
| Net present cost, 3 yr at 8% | n/a | n/a |
Enter a price (or a pool's fee) in at least one scenario to compare.
How these numbers are calculated
One-way: CPT = P + D − S
Closed loop: N = min(L_trips, 1/ℓ)
CPT = (P − S_end)/N + R_c + H + ℓ·P + Rep
Pooled: CPT = F_issue + r_day·d + F_transfer + ℓ·F_lost + F_admin/trips
Plastic: closed loop + W (wash) per trip
All: + tare freight T = w × ($/cwt ÷ 100) × legs
Annual = CPT × trips per year
NPV = capital at t=0 + Σ annual / (1+i)^t, t = 1..years
Capital (owned loops) = pool size × P, pool size = trips/yr ÷ min(N, 52)
Break-even dwell d* = (CPT_owned − F_issue − F_transfer − ℓ·F_lost) / r_dayPool size assumes each pallet turns at most weekly. Results are only as good as the inputs.
§5How to decide
Specify HT unless a destination says otherwise. Check every delivery for a complete mark on two opposite sides.