EPAL warns on Brexit pallet delays
Open-loop pallet pooler EPAL UK & Ireland has warned businesses exporting and importing to and from the UK to ensure their pallets do not cause delays to shipments, when the country leaves all EU jurisdiction at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020.
If a Brexit deal is not reached by the deadline, the UK will then be designated a ‘third country’ in relation to the EU. This means that, according to international ISPM15 regulations, any wooden pallets exported from the UK will need to be heat-treated and marked as ISPM15-compliant, so may be subject to official checks when entering, or after entering, the EU.
Stuart Hex, National Secretary of EPAL UK & Ireland, said: “With only a few weeks to go before the UK leaves the EU single market at the end of the transition period, there are many businesses which have not prepared for a no deal scenario and we are advising all exporting and importing companies that there is only one way to prepare for whatever Brexit scenario occurs – that is to ensure that all your pallets are ISPM15-compliant. EPAL is currently the only wholly ISPM15 compliant pallet system.
Wooden pallets and packaging that originate within the European Union are generally free to move between member states without having to meet international ISPM15 standards. EPAL guarantees that all its pallets are ISPM15-compliant, which means they are free to move through customs across Europe – even in the event of a no-deal Brexit – and throughout the world. This means they won’t be the source of delays to shipping caused by inspections.
Other benefits of using EPAL pallets are that they are: safe for loads of up to 1.25 tonnes; kiln-dried, giving them extra strength and durability; and specified ‘as new’ whenever they are repaired.
