Wooden Pallet Manufacturing Process: 7 Standard Steps for Export

A compliant wooden pallet manufacturing process is a prerequisite for exporting goods into international markets, especially the EU, the United States and Japan. If you import wooden pallets from Vietnam or source them for your supply chain, understanding the 7 steps from raw timber selection to the final IPPC stamp is the key to verifying quality and confirming international compliance before you place an order.

This guide walks through each step in detail, the technical specifications at each stage, the common defects that get a shipment rejected, and how to inspect pallet quality before goods leave the factory. For background on the product itself, see our overview of what a wooden pallet is and the full range of wooden pallet types.

Overview: The 7-Step Wooden Pallet Manufacturing Process

The table below summarises the entire process, from selecting raw timber to a finished product ready to leave the factory:

Step	Detail	Time
1. Material selection	Acacia / rubberwood / pine timber, no bark, no insect damage, suitable moisture	-
2. Sawing	Boards 70-100 mm wide, 17-22 mm thick depending on design	-
3. Kiln drying	Moisture below 18%, 24-72 h depending on dimensions	1-3 days
4. Cutting and planing	Cut to exact size, plane surfaces smooth	-
5. Assembly	Galvanised steel nails, 3-4 per joint	-
6. ISPM 15 heat treatment	Core temperature 56 C for 30 continuous minutes	2-4 h
7. QC and IPPC stamping	Check 4 main criteria, stamp on all 4 sides	-

Steps 1-2: Selecting and Sawing Timber - Standard-Grade Material Criteria

Pallet quality begins with selecting the right raw timber. Not every species is suitable for manufacturing export-grade pallets.

Timber species commonly used:

• New pallets typically use acacia: widely available, hard, easy to machine. See our pine vs acacia comparison for the trade-offs.
• Rubberwood: high density, long-lasting, competitively priced.
• Pine: lightweight, low cost, suited to light-duty pallets. We supply dedicated pine wood pallets.

Raw timber selection criteria:

• No bark - bark spoils appearance and sheds debris.
• No insect damage or signs of pest infestation.
• Initial moisture content of 20-25% before kiln drying, which makes machining easier.
• No large lengthwise cracks above 5 mm on the wide face.
• No knots larger than 15 mm.

Once selected, the timber is sawn into boards to specification: 70-100 mm wide and 17-22 mm thick, depending on the pallet design (two-way or four-way, and the target load rating). These boards fall into two main types: stringers, which carry the main load, and deck boards, which form the surface the cargo sits on. To understand the difference, compare two-way and four-way pallets.

Steps 3-4: Kiln Drying and Machining - Why Moisture Below 18% Is Mandatory

Kiln drying is the single most important stage in manufacturing export pallets. Water inside the wood is the main cause of warping, cracking and reduced durability.

Moisture content below 18% is mandatory because:

• Dimensional stability: dry wood does not shrink after 2-3 weeks of use.
• Greater strength: dry wood bears load better and resists lengthwise cracking along the stringers.
• International standards: IPPC and ISPM 15 require moisture content below 18%.
• Lower weight: drier pallets cut shipping costs.

Drying time: in an industrial kiln, drying time depends on board thickness:

• 25 mm thick boards: 24-48 hours.
• Boards over 30 mm: 48-72 hours or longer.

After kiln drying, the boards are cut to exact size (tolerance plus or minus 2 mm) and planed smooth to remove fibres and splinters, making the pallet safe for forklift handling.

Step 5: Assembly - Nailing and Fastening Standards

Assembly is the stage where deck boards are joined to the stringers (the load-bearing members) using steel nails.

Nailing and fastening standards:

• Nail type: galvanised steel, rust-resistant, 3-4 mm diameter.
• Quantity: 3-4 nails per joint between deck board and stringer.
• Depth: nail heads must sit flush (not protruding) - protruding nails damage electric forklifts.
• Position: nails set at least 10 mm from the board edge to avoid splitting.

Some manufacturers use galvanised screws or bolts instead, though nails remain the most common and economical choice. For made-to-spec builds, see our custom pallet options.

Step 6: ISPM 15 Heat Treatment - Technical Detail

ISPM 15 heat treatment is the mandatory thermal process that kills insects, larvae and pathogens present in the wood. It is the international standard applied by virtually every country that imports wooden pallets.

ISPM 15 heat treatment specifications:

• Wood core temperature: minimum 56 C.
• Hold time: minimum 30 continuous minutes (from the moment the core reaches 56 C).
• Heating method: usually steam or a steam kiln.
• Verification: a temperature sensor placed at the deepest point of the wood mass.

After treatment, the pallet is cooled gradually to avoid checking. ISPM 15 heat treatment usually takes 2-4 hours depending on pallet size and equipment. Heat treatment (HT) is the standard method; for how it differs from chemical fumigation, see heat treatment HT vs MB.

Benefits of ISPM 15 heat treatment:

• Eliminates 100% of insects and pests.
• Reduces the risk of spreading plant disease through the timber.
• Recognised by the EU, the United States, Japan and other markets.
• Increases the export value of the pallet.

Step 7: QC and IPPC Stamping - Pre-Shipment Checklist

Quality control (QC) is the final stage before a pallet leaves the factory. A pallet must meet every technical standard before it can be IPPC-stamped and dispatched.

QC checklist - 4 main criteria:

• Wood moisture: measured with a moisture meter, must be below 18%. Measure between the stringers, 10-20 mm from the surface.
• Dimensions: each board within plus or minus 2 mm (length, width, thickness). Check with a rule or tape measure.
• Surface: no splinters protruding more than 3 mm, no loose chips or fragments.
• Nails: fully flush, rust-free, not loose.

Additional checks (detailed inspection):

• Stringers free of large edge knots (these split lengthwise under load).
• No signs of insect or pest damage.
• Stringer corners not warped.
• The pallet is not twisted.

IPPC stamping (International Plant Protection Convention):

A compliant pallet must be IPPC-stamped on all 4 side faces (the stringers). Each stamp contains:

• The IPPC symbol (the ear-of-wheat mark).
• Country code: VN (Vietnam).
• Producer facility code (issued by the Plant Protection Department).
• Treatment type: HT (Heat Treatment).

The IPPC stamp must be clear, not faded, and not covered by cargo or other stickers. For a full breakdown of the mark, see how to read an IPPC stamp.

Common QC Failures - Why Shipments Get Rejected

These are the most common defects that cause pallets to be rejected at export:

• Protruding nail heads: usually caused by nails not driven flush, or nails that work loose after production. Cargo or forklifts get damaged.
• Insufficiently dried wood: moisture above 18% causes shrinkage after 2-3 weeks of use, twisting or cracking the pallet.
• Large stringer knots: edge knots grow into lengthwise cracks under load, collapsing the stack.
• Faded or missing IPPC stamp on a side: the shipment is not cleared at the destination port.
• Splinters or fragments protruding above 3 mm: they scratch product packaging, triggering customer claims.

For Buyers and Procurement - How to Inspect Pallet Quality on Delivery

If you are the importer or buyer receiving wooden pallets from a supplier, here is a fast way to check quality on delivery.

Pre-acceptance inspection (sample 10% of the total):

• Step 1: Check the IPPC stamp on all 4 sides - are all 4 stamps present and clearly legible?
• Step 2: Check moisture with a meter - should be below 18%, 20% maximum.
• Step 3: Run a hand over the stringer surface - there should be no protruding splinters or rough patches.
• Step 4: Check the nails - press firmly; they should not be loose or protruding.
• Step 5: Twist the pallet gently - it should not be warped.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions on Pallet Manufacturing

1. Why is ISPM 15 heat treatment required? Can it be skipped?

It cannot be skipped. ISPM 15 heat treatment is a mandatory requirement of nearly every importing country (EU, United States, Japan and others) to ensure plant health. A pallet without an IPPC stamp will be refused clearance by customs or destroyed.

2. Are there any timber types that do not need ISPM 15 treatment?

No. ISPM 15 applies to all timber, whether hardwood or softwood. Processed wood (such as plywood) has some exemptions, but solid-wood pallets always require treatment.

3. Is 18-20% moisture acceptable?

The official standard is below 18%, though in practice some suppliers accept below 20% (especially in humid climates). The risk is higher, however - the pallet is more likely to shrink or warp after dispatch. To be safe, dry to below 15% where conditions allow.

4. How long do wooden pallets last?

It depends on usage and storage conditions. In a dry environment (warehouse, container), wooden pallets last 5-10 years. If kept outdoors in damp conditions or exposed to rain regularly, the lifespan drops to 2-3 years. See our guidance on pallet storage and pest prevention.

5. How much does it cost to manufacture an export wooden pallet?

Cost depends on size, timber species and production volume. As a Vietnam-domestic reference point, manufacturing one standard export pallet (1,200 x 1,000 mm) runs to 150,000 - 300,000 VND ex-works, of which ISPM 15 treatment accounts for roughly 10-15%. These are FOB Vietnam reference figures; USD pricing is available on request. See our wooden pallet price guide for more detail.

Order Export-Grade Wooden Pallets from ICD Vietnam

ICD Vietnam manufactures and supplies ISPM 15 export-grade wooden pallets, with 15+ years of experience and hundreds of shipments dispatched to the EU, the United States, Japan and South Korea. Every stage of our process, from timber selection to the final IPPC stamp, is tightly controlled to keep your cargo moving through customs.

We build made-to-order pallets to your size, timber species and load rating, fully ISPM 15 treated and IPPC stamped. To request a quote or RFQ, contact our export team and we will respond with specifications and FOB Vietnam pricing.

• Email: Sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
• Phone / WhatsApp: +84 983 797 186
• Browse all wooden pallet types or learn more about ICD Vietnam.