Could UK Exporters Really Lose a Shipment Over a Hyphen?
A small formatting detail could create big border delays in 2026. U.S. authorities have stepped up enforcement of ISPM 15 pallet stamp formatting, meaning one missing hyphen could trigger inspections and unexpected costs for exporters.
A hyphen is all that could hold a UK export shipment at a U.S. port in 2026.
From 1 January 2026, U.S. authorities stepped up enforcement of how ISPM 15 pallet stamps are formatted. The rule is not new, but renewed attention to its exact formatting could catch exporters who assume their pallets are “close enough” to be compliant.
For companies moving goods internationally, this change highlights an operational reality that is often overlooked: packaging compliance can be just as important as documentation when goods cross borders.
Why This Matters Now
ISPM 15 is the international standard governing how solid wood packaging—such as pallets, crates, and dunnage—must be treated to prevent the spread of invasive pests between countries.
For several years, U.S. authorities operated with relatively light enforcement around one specific detail: how clearly the country code and treatment facility code were separated on the IPPC mark. That grace period ended on 31 December 2025.
Since the beginning of 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has resumed enforcement of the requirement that the two-letter country code and the facility number be clearly separated by a hyphen.
In practical terms, pallet stamps should appear as GB-1234, rather than GB 1234 or GB1234.
Pallets that do not follow this formatting are more likely to attract inspection or be treated as potentially non-compliant at U.S. ports of entry.
This formatting rule is specific to the United States. Exporters shipping to other destinations are not affected by this particular detail, although they still need to meet the broader ISPM 15 requirements that apply to their routes.
Why a Hyphen Matters for Inspections
To a shipper, a hyphen may seem like an insignificant formatting detail. To inspection authorities, it is a traceability tool.
The formatting helps inspectors quickly identify the treatment facility responsible for the pallet and verify that the wood packaging has been processed under an authorised scheme. When that information is unclear, the shipment may be subject to additional checks.
Once a pallet is flagged, delays can escalate quickly. Some ports have limited facilities to re-palletise or treat suspect wood packaging, meaning shipments may sit while the issue is investigated. In some situations, pallets may need to be reworked, fumigated, or removed entirely before cargo can proceed.
These interventions can introduce delays, additional handling, and unexpected costs.
Three Simple Warehouse Checks
Most ISPM 15 issues are avoidable with basic checks before a shipment leaves the warehouse.
1. Check the Stamp Format
For U.S.-bound shipments, the country code and facility number should be separated by a hyphen. If the stamp reads GB-1234, the format is correct. If it reads GB 1234 or GB1234, it may trigger closer scrutiny.
2. Make Sure the Stamp Is Visible
ISPM 15 marks must be visible on at least two opposite sides of the pallet. If stretch wrap, labels, or strapping cover the mark, inspectors cannot verify compliance.
3. Review Reused Pallets Carefully
Reused pallets can remain compliant, but they are more likely to have faded marks, hidden repairs, or inconsistent formatting. For time-sensitive or high-value shipments, new heat-treated pallets eliminate this uncertainty.
A Small Detail, Significant Consequences
The return of full enforcement does not mean every shipment without a hyphen will automatically be rejected. However, it does mean inspectors are paying closer attention to pallet markings again.
Exporters relying on older pallet stock may therefore face more scrutiny than before.
Taking a few minutes to verify pallet stamps before collection is far easier than dealing with a compliance issue once a shipment has already reached a U.S. port.
For businesses moving goods across borders, packaging compliance is not a regulatory detail to manage after the fact. It is a warehouse discipline that protects supply chain reliability before the shipment leaves the loading bay.