Wooden Pallets for Tea Export from Sri Lanka: What You Need to Know

Wooden pallets used for Ceylon tea export must be ISPM 15 certified with a valid IPPC stamp — this applies to every destination market Sri Lanka exports tea to, including Iraq, Russia, Turkey, Iran, the UAE, Japan and all EU countries. Non-compliant pallets risk quarantine or rejection of the entire tea consignment.

Sri Lanka is the world's fourth-largest tea exporter, shipping hundreds of millions of kilograms of Ceylon tea to markets across Europe, the Middle East, Russia, China, and beyond. For tea exporters, pallet compliance is not optional — it is a condition of market entry in almost every destination.

Why Tea Exporters Need ISPM 15 Pallets

Tea is typically exported in cartons, chests, or bulk bags stacked on wooden pallets. When those pallets leave Sri Lanka on a container ship, they enter the biosecurity system of the destination country at the port of arrival.

Countries that have adopted ISPM 15 — including all of Sri Lanka's major tea export markets — require wooden pallets to be heat-treated and IPPC-stamped. Non-compliant pallets can be quarantined or destroyed, along with the tea they carry.

Key Tea Export Markets and Their Requirements

European Union

The EU is one of Sri Lanka's largest tea markets. All wooden packaging entering the EU must carry the IPPC mark with HT (heat treatment) designation. Methyl bromide-treated pallets are not accepted. Treatment certificates are recommended for each shipment.

United Kingdom

Post-Brexit, the UK maintains the same ISPM 15 requirements as the EU. HT-stamped pallets with treatment certificates are required.

Russia and CIS Countries

Russia and neighbouring countries have adopted ISPM 15. IPPC-stamped, heat-treated pallets are required for all wooden packaging.

Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)

All Gulf Cooperation Council countries require ISPM 15-compliant pallets. This is particularly relevant given the volume of Ceylon tea shipped to the Middle East.

China

China requires ISPM 15-compliant wooden packaging for all imports. Both HT and MB treatment methods are accepted, though HT is recommended.

Pallet Sizes for Tea Export

Ceylon tea is most commonly exported on 1200 × 1000 mm pallets — the general international standard — or 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallets for European buyers. For bulk tea in large containers, custom sizes are sometimes required.

CeyPall manufactures all standard sizes with full ISPM 15 heat treatment, including custom dimensions to specification.

The Importance of Treatment Certificates

Many tea buyers and importers — particularly in Europe and the Middle East — require a heat treatment certificate accompanying the pallet documentation. This certificate confirms the date of treatment, the temperature achieved, the duration, and the manufacturer's NPQS registration.

CeyPall issues an official treatment certificate with every order, formatted for use in export documentation.

Ordering Pallets for Tea Export

For tea exporters, lead time and reliability are critical. Delays in pallet supply can hold up container loading and miss vessel cut-off times. CeyPall supplies pallets to tea exporters and manufacturers across Sri Lanka with island-wide delivery.

To discuss your pallet requirements for tea export, contact CeyPall directly. We will confirm sizes, quantities, lead times, and provide a quote.

For detailed information about tea pallet sizes, delivery regions, and FAQ, visit our dedicated pallets for tea export page. You can also check moisture levels with our Moisture Content Calculator and plan container loading with our Container Pallet Calculator.