Indonesian Seafood Packaging: 2025 Specs & Pallet Guide

A myth-busting, action-first guide to ISPM-15 pallets for Indonesian seafood in 2025. Clear answers on reefers, country enforcement, how to read Indonesia’s HT stamp, when plastic pallets or slip sheets are acceptable, and a practical supplier checklist you can copy-paste today.

If there’s one detail that still trips up otherwise perfect seafood shipments, it’s pallets. We’ve seen sealed reefers of sashimi-grade tuna and IQF fillets held at destination for a simple missing ISPM-15 mark. The cost isn’t just fines. It’s demurrage, lost shelf life and frustrated customers. Here’s the 2025 reality, without the myths.

Do I need ISPM-15 pallets if my seafood ships in a sealed reefer container?

Short answer. Yes, if you use solid wood pallets. ISPM-15 applies to solid wood packaging in almost all markets, reefer or not. A sealed FCL reefer doesn’t create a blanket exemption. The only time you’re out of scope is when you use materials like plastic pallets, plywood/composite pallets, paper-based slip sheets or no wood at all.

In our experience, the few times importers gambled on the “sealed container” argument, customs still enforced ISPM-15. The hold easily ate 3 to 5 days and thousands in costs. Don’t risk it.

What does the Indonesian ISPM-15 stamp look like and how do I read it?

Every compliant wooden pallet needs a permanent, legible ISPM-15 mark on two opposite sides. The Indonesian mark has three parts next to the IPPC symbol:

• Country code. ID
• Producer or treatment provider number. A unique number issued by Indonesia’s NPPO
• Treatment code. HT for heat treatment. MB for methyl bromide. DB for debarked may also appear

A typical layout you might see:

IPPC symbol | ID-327 001 | HT | DB

How to verify fast:

• You must see ID and a number tied to a registered Indonesian supplier
• HT is what most buyers demand for food pallets
• Stamp must be clear and branded or indelible ink. No red or orange inks
• Put the stamp on two opposite sides before loading. Photograph it with a timestamp while the pallet is empty and again after loading

Is methyl bromide fumigation allowed for food pallets, or should I use heat-treated pallets?

Both MB and HT are valid under ISPM-15. But for food, we recommend HT. Here’s why:

• Quality. MB can leave residual odor in enclosed reefers. Some buyers will reject the load for smell alone
• Certifications. GFSI/BRCGS and large retailers often prefer HT for pallets touching food packaging
• Sustainability. Global pressure to reduce MB use continues under Montreal Protocol carve-outs

We still see MB used for emergency on-arrival treatments, but it’s a last resort. For planned exports, specify HT DB in your purchase order to the pallet supplier.

Can I use plastic pallets or slip sheets to avoid ISPM-15 requirements?

Yes. Plastic pallets and paper or plastic slip sheets are out of ISPM-15 scope. They’re popular for high-spec seafood where cleanliness and moisture control matter.

When plastic pallets make sense:

• High-value items like Yellowfin Saku (Sushi Grade) or Bigeye Loin headed to retailers with strict hygiene policies
• Cold rooms that sanitize pallets and want consistent dimensions and no wood splinters

When slip sheets work:

• You and your buyer both have push-pull attachments. This saves weight and space. Great for tightly packed Grouper Fillet (IQF) or Frozen Shrimp cartons

Caveats we’ve learned the hard way:

• Confirm your buyer’s unloading capability before switching to slip sheets
• If you mix plastic and wood in one container, customs may still inspect line-by-line. Standardize per container when possible

Country snapshots: who enforces what in 2025?

We move seafood into the US, EU, China and Oceania every week. Here’s the no-fluff view.

• United States. Strict. ISPM-15 for all solid wood packaging. No reefer exemption. APHIS/CBP will penalize repeat violations. HT preferred for food. FDA doesn’t “approve pallets” but expects materials that are clean and safe under FSMA
• European Union. Strict and consistent. ISPM-15 required for wood. No exemption for containerized cargo. Random physical checks are common in Rotterdam and Antwerp
• China. Enforcement has tightened. CIQ can order on-arrival fumigation if stamps are faint, bark is present or pests are detected. Keep stamps readable and pallets clean and debarked
• Australia. Zero tolerance. ISPM-15 for all solid wood. Bark-free and clean. Expect holds if the stamp is missing on one side. Container Packing Declarations may be requested, even for reefers
• New Zealand. Very strict. Similar to Australia. Any noncompliance often leads to rework, on-shore treatment or re-export

Takeaway. If you’re shipping on wood into these markets, assume ISPM-15 is enforced and HT DB is the default spec.

What proof of ISPM-15 compliance will customs or my buyer ask for?

The stamp on the pallet is the gold standard. That said, we include a simple evidence pack to avoid arguments:

• Photos. Clear, timestamped photos showing the HT stamp on two sides of every pallet type used
• Supplier treatment statement. One-page letter from the Indonesian pallet supplier referencing their NPPO registration and confirming HT DB to ISPM-15
• Packing list note. Add “All pallets are ISPM-15 HT DB. Example mark: ID-xxxxx HT DB” to the packing list
• For AU/NZ. Keep a completed Container Packing Declaration on file. It speeds up questions

In my experience, these three things cut 9 out of 10 delays before they start.

What happens if a pallet arrives without a visible ISPM-15 mark?

Here’s the usual sequence we’ve seen at destination:

1. Hold by customs or quarantine. They photograph the missing or faint mark
2. Option 1. On-arrival fumigation. Often MB. Risky for seafood in closed reefers due to odor and time
3. Option 2. Re-export or destruction. Worst case and expensive

Your best move is prevention. If you discover a light stamp pre-loading, restamp clearly on two sides. We also train teams to reject any pallet with bark, visible insect holes or unreadable marks.

Quick 2025 pallet spec for Indonesian seafood

If you just need a spec to drop into a PO, use this as a starting point and adapt by market:

• Material. Solid wood pallets, debarked, ISPM-15 HT DB. No bark, no live holes, clean surfaces
• Stamp. Indonesian NPPO IPPC mark with ID-xxxxx and HT on two opposite sides, permanent ink or brand. No red/orange inks
• Size. 1000 x 1200 mm for most mixed seafood cartons. For US-only programs, consider 40 x 48 in. For EU retail-focused loads, 800 x 1200 mm may fit downstream warehouse flows
• Static/dynamic load. Match to your carton weight. A 1 ton to 1.2 ton dynamic load capacity covers most of our Mahi Mahi Fillet, Grouper Bites (Portion Cut) and Red Snapper Portion (WGGS / Fillet) programs
• Cleanliness. No oil stains, mold, or pesticide odor. Moisture content typically below 22 percent to limit mold risk in cold chain
• Fasteners. Ring-shank or screw nails that don’t protrude. No loose deck boards. Chamfer edges where push-pull is used
• Plastic or slip-sheet alternative. If using plastic pallets or slip sheets, state “non-wood packaging. ISPM-15 not applicable” on documents

How to instruct suppliers on ISPM-15 pallet specs

Here’s a copy-paste checklist we give to co-packers and carton suppliers. It fits on one page and avoids 90 percent of mistakes:

Supplier briefing checklist

• Use heat-treated, debarked pallets to ISPM-15. Confirm stamp reads ID-xxxxx HT DB
• Place the ISPM-15 mark on two opposite sides. Ensure high-contrast, legible ink or a clear brand
• Reject pallets with bark, insect holes, mold or oil stains. Replace before loading
• Photograph each pallet type with visible marks before loading. Take a second photo after palletizing
• Confirm pallet size, height and gross weight target before loading, based on buyer’s warehouse and reefer door constraints
• Note “All pallets are ISPM-15 HT DB” on the packing list. Attach the pallet supplier’s NPPO registration letter if buyer requires
• If using plastic pallets or slip sheets, add “non-wood packaging. ISPM-15 not applicable” to shipping docs and confirm receiver equipment

Final thoughts

The reality is simple. If you put solid wood in a reefer, most destinations treat it like any other wood packaging. Go with HT DB, stamp clearly on two sides, document it with photos, and you’ll sail through. When hygiene or retailer policy pushes you to plastic or slip sheets, standardize per container and write it into your docs.

Need to sanity-check your lane-specific spec or a buyer’s demand in the US, EU, China, Australia or NZ? Reach out and we’ll share the exact wording we put in our POs and packing lists. You can Contact us on whatsapp or browse the formats we use across product lines here: View our products.