Stakeholder Reminder: Suspension of ISPM 15 Hyphen Requirement Ended December 31, 2025
DISTRIBUTION: Customs Brokers, Importers and Other Interested Parties
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Trade Information Notice is to inform the trade community of the temporary suspension of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15) hyphen requirement for the marking of wood packaging material (WPM) concluded on December 31, 2025.
Under current ISPM 15 regulations, WPM must be marked with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo, the two-letter International Organization for Standardization (ISO) code for the country that treated the WPM, and the treatment facility number assigned by the national plant protection organization. The IPPC requires the ISO code and the treatment facility number to be separated by a hyphen (e.g., XX-000). From March through December 31, 2025, CBP has not taken regulatory action on shipments solely missing the hyphen after the country code.
Beginning January 1, 2026, CBP will resume enforcement of this requirement plus all other ISPM 15 provisions that have remained in effect during the suspension and will continue to be enforced.
Importers, trading partners, and wood packaging material manufacturers are encouraged to ensure markings are fully compliant with ISPM 15 Annex 2, including the required hyphen separating the two-letter country code from the producer code. This detail is essential for maintaining the integrity of the program and preventing fraudulent markings.
El Paso Field Office appreciates your cooperation in supporting safe and efficient trade while protecting plant health.
If you should have any questions, regarding this Trade Information Notice (TIN) please contact via email at ELPASOTRADEOPS@cbp.dhs.gov
El Paso Field Office - Trade
Agriculture Operations Manager
Nicole Miller
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