Fumigation Requirements

ISPM 15 & Fumigation Requirements for Saudi Arabia

Wood packaging rules for Saudi Arabia: ISPM 15 is required, accepted treatments, exemptions, and penalties for non-compliance.

Country: Saudi Arabia
Region: Middle East
ISPM 15 required: Yes
Marking required: Yes
Effective date: 2006-01-01

Saudi Arabia requires ISPM 15 treatment of wood packaging material, such as pallets and crates. Accepted treatment methods: Heat Treatment (HT), Methyl Bromide (MB).

Penalties for non-compliance: Treatment or re-export required. Fines apply. Import may be refused.

Exemptions

Processed wood materials
Wood under 6mm thickness

Additional requirements

SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) oversight
Ministry of Environment oversight for phytosanitary
Halal considerations for certain uses

Common issues

Documentation requirements
Multiple regulatory bodies
Regional variations

Tips

Jeddah and Dammam are major ports
Work with Saudi-experienced freight forwarders
Arabic or English documentation

Frequently asked questions

Which Saudi ports handle most container imports?

Jeddah (Red Sea) and Dammam (Persian Gulf) are the two major container ports.

Are there religious considerations for wood packaging?

Generally no, but wood packaging for food-related goods should not have been treated with alcohol-based substances.