May 28, 2026· By Mr. Thusira Ranasinghe
Vacuum Pressure Impregnated vs Heat-Treated Pallets: Which Do You Need?
Heat-treated pallets are required for international export — they carry the IPPC stamp and meet ISPM 15 phytosanitary standards. Vacuum pressure impregnated pallets are for long-term warehouse and racking use — they are not ISPM 15 certified but carry a warranty of up to 6 years against pest contamination.
| Feature | Heat Treated (HT) | Vacuum Pressure Impregnated (VPI) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | International export | Long-term warehouse & racking |
| ISPM 15 certified | Yes | No |
| IPPC stamp | Yes | No |
| Treatment method | Kiln heat to 56°C core, 30 min | Boron Borax under up to 10 bar pressure |
| Pest protection | Lifetime of pallet | Up to 6 years (warranted) |
| Chemical residue | None | Boron Borax (non-toxic) |
| Moisture reduction | Yes — below 15% MC | No |
| Best for | Tea, apparel, coconut, rubber export | Warehousing, racking, long-term storage |
| Available from CeyPall | Yes | Yes |
Not all treated pallets are the same. CeyPall manufactures two distinct types: heat-treated pallets designed for international export, and vacuum pressure impregnated (VPI) pallets designed for long-term warehouse and storage use. Choosing the right type can save you money and protect your goods. Here's how they compare.
Heat-Treated Pallets (ISPM 15 Export Pallets)
What they are
Heat-treated pallets are the standard for international shipping. The assembled pallet is placed in a heat treatment chamber and the core temperature of the wood is raised to 56°C and held for a minimum of 30 minutes. This process kills any insects, larvae, or eggs present in the timber.
Who they are for
Heat-treated pallets are required for any shipment leaving Sri Lanka on a wooden pallet bound for countries that have adopted ISPM 15 — which includes over 180 countries worldwide. If you are an exporter, this is the pallet you need.
What they include
Every heat-treated pallet from CeyPall comes with the IPPC stamp burned into the wood, a treatment certificate confirming ISPM 15 compliance, and boron chemical pre-treatment as a standard baseline before heat treatment is applied.
Limitations
Heat-treated pallets are optimised for export use. For pallets that will remain in a warehouse for months or years, the heat treatment alone does not provide the long-term chemical protection of vacuum pressure impregnation.
Vacuum Pressure Impregnated Pallets (VPI Storage Pallets)
What they are
Vacuum pressure impregnation (VPI) is a process in which a Boron Borax chemical solution is forced deep into the structure of the wood under pressures of up to 10 bar (145 PSI). Unlike a surface dip or standard boron pre-treatment, VPI drives the preservative to the core of every plank and block — providing deep, lasting protection.
Who they are for
VPI pallets are designed for warehousing, racking systems, and any application where pallets are used in fixed storage rather than exported. They are ideal for manufacturers, logistics companies, and distributors who need pallets that will last for years in a warehouse environment.
The 6-year warranty
CeyPall's VPI pallets carry a warranty of up to 6 years against pest contamination. This is significantly longer than the protection offered by standard heat-treated pallets used in a storage context.
Limitations
VPI pallets are not ISPM 15 export pallets. They are not intended for international shipping and do not carry the IPPC stamp. If you need pallets for export, you need heat-treated pallets.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Purpose
Treatment method
ISPM 15 compliant
IPPC stamped
Pest warranty
Best for
Which Should You Order?
If you are shipping goods internationally, order heat-treated ISPM 15 pallets. If you are building or upgrading a warehouse racking system, or need pallets for long-term internal use, order vacuum pressure impregnated pallets.
If you need both — some companies export goods on heat-treated pallets and store goods internally on VPI pallets — CeyPall can supply both types. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Published May 28, 2026 · By Mr. Thusira Ranasinghe
Mr. Thusira Ranasinghe · Founder & Managing Director, CeyPall (Pvt) Ltd
Mr. Thusira Ranasinghe is the founder of CeyPall (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka’s dedicated ISPM 15-certified export pallet manufacturer, established in 2005. He oversees the company’s heat treatment and IPPC certification process at its Kochchikade facility and works directly with tea, apparel, coconut, and rubber exporters on export-compliant pallet supply.
Need ISPM 15-certified pallets?
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