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SF, sulphuryl fluoride fumigation

SF on a pallet stamp means sulphuryl fluoride fumigation, added to ISPM 15 in the 2018 revision of Annex 1. It needs a wood temperature of at least 20 °C, a concentration-time product of 1,400 g·h/m³ over 24 hours at 30 °C or above, or 3,000 g·h/m³ over 48 hours at 20 °C or above.

Document
MRK-009
Sheet
Markings, ISPM 15
Last reviewed
Sources
3 cited
SFFormat
ISPM 15Scheme

Where it is

[EPAL mark][EPAL mark]IPPCXX-000HT000-0-00Centre block: treatment mark, licence and stapleOuter blockOuter block
Schematic long side. The highlighted part is the sf, sulphuryl fluoride fumigation. The EPAL trademark is shown only as a labelled placeholder.

Last element of the ISPM 15 mark.

What it proves

That the wood was fumigated with sulphuryl fluoride to the concentration-time product in ISPM 15 Table 3.

In detail

Sulphuryl fluoride is the newest of the four ISPM 15 treatment codes. The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures adopted it in April 2018. It cannot be used on wood more than 20 cm across at its smallest dimension, or on wood with more than 75% moisture content on a dry basis, and stacks need separators at least every 20 cm.

Canada lists sulphuryl fluoride fumigation among the approved treatments in D-98-08. The US rule in 7 CFR 319.40-3 accepts marks approved under the ISPMs; its printed example mentions only HT and MB. If you plan to import SF-marked packaging into the US in volume, confirm acceptance with your broker first.

You are unlikely to see SF on a genuine EPAL pallet, since EPAL's pages describe heat treatment for new and repaired pallets.

Common misreadings

  • SF on a pallet does not change how it is graded; it only tells you how the wood was treated.

Sources

Last reviewed . Figures come from these publications; follow the links for the current versions.

  1. ISPM 15, Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade (adopted 2018, published 2019), IPPC Secretariat / FAO
  2. D-98-08: Entry requirements for wood packaging material into Canada (11th version, effective 2026-04-01), Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  3. 7 CFR 319.40-3, general permits; regulated wood packaging material, eCFR, US Government Publishing Office

What do you need to do with them?

Pick one. Each form takes about a minute and goes to one partner, not a list of dealers.

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