Export Crating Services - ISPM-15 Certified
Argos Crating builds custom wooden export crates for Ontario manufacturers, distributors, and exporters shipping industrial equipment, machinery, tooling, and commercial cargo to the US, EU, Australia, and worldwide. Every export crate uses ISPM-15 certified lumber as standard, with full certification documentation included for customs clearance at destination. In-shop or on-site at your facility.
ISPM-15 certified lumber
Full documentation included
Free quote in 24 hours
Why Export Crating Is Different from Domestic Crating
Three things separate an export crate from a standard domestic crate:
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ISPM-15 certification is mandatory
The US, EU, Australia, and most other countries require that all wood packaging entering their borders be certified under the ISPM-15 international standard. This means heat-treated lumber stamped with the official IPPC certification mark. Standard construction lumber, even if kiln-dried, does not qualify. Every piece of wood in the shipment must be certified: the crate panels, the base skid, and any internal blocking or dunnage. -
Documentation travels with the crate
An export shipment needs more than a crate. The certification documentation from the crating company, the commercial invoice, the packing list, and a USMCA Certificate of Origin (for US shipments) all travel with the freight and are presented at customs on arrival. Missing or incomplete documentation at the border delays the shipment and increases costs. -
Non-compliant wood packaging has real consequences
A crate arriving at a US, EU, or Australian port without ISPM-15 certification will be flagged by customs authorities. Options at that point are fumigation at your expense, return to origin, or destruction of the packaging. Discovering the problem at the border is significantly more expensive than getting it right before the shipment leaves Ontario.
What Our Export Crating Service Includes
Every export crating job includes:
-
ISPM-15 certified lumber
throughout the entire crate structure: panels, base skid, and internal blocking -
IPPC certification stamps
visible on exterior crate panels for customs inspection -
Certification documentation
signed by Argos Crating confirming lumber certification, ready for customs brokers and freight forwarders -
Gross and net weight markings
on the crate exterior, formatted to carrier and customs standards -
Dimensions
marked on the exterior -
Handling markings
("This Side Up", fragile indicators) where applicable -
Custom internal blocking and bracing
engineered for the specific cargo: machinery, tooling, precision components, or commercial goods -
For ocean freight:
moisture protection including VCI film on machined surfaces and desiccant packs in sealed barrier bags, available on request. -
For ESD-sensitive cargo:
anti-static foam and shielding bags, available for avionics and electronic components.
ISPM-15 Requirements by Destination
- United StatesThe US enforces ISPM-15 through USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) at all ports of entry, including land border crossings. This is the most common export destination for Ontario industrial manufacturers. Non-certified wood packaging is subject to treatment or destruction on arrival. The requirement applies to pallets, crates, skids, and any loose wood dunnage in the shipment.
- European UnionThe EU enforces ISPM-15 at the first port of entry across all member states. Heat treatment (HT) is the only accepted method; methyl bromide (MB) treatment is no longer permitted within the EU. Requirements apply to all wood packaging regardless of shipment value or size.
- AustraliaThe Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) runs one of the most strictly enforced ISPM-15 regimes in the world. Non-compliant packaging can be destroyed on-site at the port of entry. In addition to heat treatment, bark-free lumber is required. Shipments to Australia require particular attention to documentation completeness.
- Japan, South Korea, China, and wider AsiaJapan enforces ISPM-15 under its Plant Protection Law. South Korea and China both require certification. China has additional requirements for certain product categories. When shipping to Asian markets, confirm specific requirements with your freight forwarder or customs broker, as country-level rules vary.
- Canada to Canada (domestic)ISPM-15 is not required for domestic Canadian shipments. Standard construction-grade lumber is appropriate for domestic crating.
Who We Work With
-
Ontario manufacturers
exporting industrial equipment, machinery, dies, and tooling to US customers, EU distributors, and international markets -
Freight forwarders
who need a reliable ISPM-15 compliant crating partner in the Mississauga and GTA area -
Customs brokers
who coordinate documentation between their clients and the crating company -
MRO facilities and aerospace companies
exporting aircraft components and parts internationally -
Pharmaceutical and medical device companies
in the Mississauga corridor shipping equipment and instruments internationally -
One-time exporters
shipping a single piece of capital equipment to a buyer abroad
Export Crating Checklist
Use this checklist before tendering an international shipment to your carrier:
- Crating and packaging:
- ISPM-15 certified wooden crate (all wood: crate, skid, dunnage)
- Certification documentation from crating company
- Gross weight and net weight marked on exterior
- Dimensions marked on exterior
- Handling markings applied where needed
- VCI moisture protection on machined surfaces (ocean freight)
- Customs documentation:
- HS (Harmonized System) code confirmed for your cargo
- Commercial invoice (HS code, declared value, country of origin, buyer and seller details)
- Packing list (dimensions, weights, number of pieces, ISPM-15 reference)
- USMCA/CUSMA Certificate of Origin (for US shipments claiming duty-free treatment)
- Canadian Export Declaration filed with CBSA (for shipments over CAD $2,000)
- Dangerous goods declaration if applicable (fluids, batteries, chemical residue)
- Logistics:
- Freight forwarder booked and carrier confirmed
- Customs broker engaged for import entry at destination
- Pickup or delivery to carrier terminal confirmed
Why Choose Argos Crating?
-
ISPM-15 certified as standardCertified lumber on every export job, no additional charge or special request required -
Documentation ready for customsCertification letter, packing list, and weight and dimension confirmation prepared with every job -
Freight forwarder and broker coordinationWe provide documentation in the format your freight forwarder and customs broker need, and coordinate timing around your carrier bookings. -
Fast turnaroundMost export crating jobs completed in 1-3 business days; urgent same-day available -
In-shop or on-siteExport crating at our Mississauga facility or at your Ontario location -
Pearson Airport proximityMinutes from YYZ cargo terminals for air freight export
Our Crating Process
Request a Quote
Packing & Securing
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04
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Tell us about what you need to crate and where it’s going. Our team will review your details and get back to you with a custom quote — usually within 24 hours.
We carefully pack your item into the crate using high-quality padding and support materials. Our goal is zero movement and zero risk during transportation.
Crate Fabrication
Ongoing Support
Our skilled team builds your crate using premium materials. Every crate is built for maximum protection, and we offer ISPM 15-certified wood for international shipping.
Have a question about shipping? Need another crate?
We’re always here to help.
We build long-term relationships, not just crates.
We’re always here to help.
We build long-term relationships, not just crates.
Design & Planning
Delivery or Pickup
Once approved, we design a crate specifically for your item’s dimensions, weight, fragility, and transport requirements. If necessary, we’ll come to you to assess the item in person.
You can pick up your custom crate at our shop, or we can arrange delivery to your location — or even directly to your freight carrier.
Get Started with Argos Crating Today
Tell us what you need to crate - item dimensions, weight, and destination - and we'll have a quote back within 24 hours
Based in Mississauga, we cover all of Ontario. Pickup, delivery, and on-site crating all available. One-time jobs and recurring commercial accounts both welcome.
Your Questions, Answered
ISPM-15 is an international phytosanitary standard that requires all wood packaging used in international trade to be heat-treated to a minimum core temperature of 56°C. It exists to prevent the spread of invasive wood pests across borders. The US, EU, Australia, and most other countries require ISPM-15 certification on all wooden crates, pallets, and skids entering their territory. Non-certified wood packaging is subject to fumigation, return, or destruction at the port of entry.
Yes. Every piece of wood associated with the shipment must be certified: the crate panels, the base skid, and any internal blocking or dunnage lumber. A common mistake is using a certified crate on a non-certified pallet. The entire wood packaging system must meet the standard, not just the outer crate.
We provide a signed certification letter confirming that all lumber used in the crate is ISPM-15 certified, along with the crate dimensions, gross weight, and net weight. This documentation is formatted for customs brokers and freight forwarders. The IPPC certification stamps are also visible on the exterior crate panels for inspection at the destination border.
Yes. We regularly work with freight forwarders and customs brokers handling Ontario export shipments. We can provide documentation in the format your logistics partners require and coordinate pickup or delivery timing with your carrier schedule.
Yes. For large or installed equipment that cannot be transported before crating, we send our team to your Ontario facility and build the export crate around the equipment on location. On-site export crating is available throughout the GTA and Southern Ontario.
The crate structure itself costs the same. The difference is the lumber specification: ISPM-15 certified lumber carries a modest premium over standard construction lumber. For most jobs, the cost difference is small relative to the total shipment cost. We include certification documentation at no additional charge.