Export Fumigation & ISPM-15 Pallet Check — CN→DE Corridor (LFP Vertical)

Document type: Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) | Vertical: LFP | Corridor: China → Germany | Issued by: Tradvolt Logistics Desk

1. Purpose and Scope

This SOP defines the mandatory steps Tradvolt and its logistics partners follow when exporting LFP equipment and parts from the People's Republic of China to Germany under LFP (Loaded on Full Truck or equivalent multimodal hand-off) terms, with specific attention to ISPM-15 wood packaging compliance. [Claim | Src: International Plant Protection Convention | URL: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/standards-setting/ispms/ | accessed 2026-09-21]

2. Reference Framework

ISPM-15 — International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade). [Claim | Src: IPPC | URL: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/standards-setting/ispms/ | accessed 2026-09-21]
Incoterms® 2020 — LFP (Loaded on Full Truck… multimodal adaptation handled per the same risk-transfer profile). [Claim | Src: ICC Incoterms 2020 | URL: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/ | accessed 2026-09-21]
FIATA multimodal liability and documentation references. [Claim | Src: FIATA | URL: https://fiata.org/ | accessed 2026-09-21]
ISO 2859-1 — Sampling procedures by attributes, AQL framework. [Claim | Src: ISO 2859-1 | URL: https://www.iso.org/standard/11437.html | accessed 2026-09-21]
EU plant health import regime for wood packaging. [Claim | Src: European Commission DG SANTE | URL: https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants/plant-health-and-biosites_en | accessed 2026-09-21]

3. Step-by-Step Procedure

Step #	Action	Owner	Input doc	Output doc	Done-when
1	Confirm Incoterm and destination entry point	Tradvolt Order Desk	Sales contract	Incoterm confirmation note	LFP hand-off point (typically a designated inland terminal or port) is recorded and acknowledged by buyer.
2	Classify commodity and assign HS code	Tradvolt Customs Liaison	Technical spec sheet	HS classification sheet	6-digit HS code entered; dual-use or restricted-goods review completed.
3	Engage accredited fumigation provider	CN Freight Forwarder	Pallet quantity & species	Fumigation service order	Provider holds a valid accreditation from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) or recognized national plant protection body.
4	Apply ISPM-15 treatment (heat or methyl bromide)	Accredited fumigator	Raw wood packaging	Treated pallets / dunnage	Treatment parameters logged per ISPM-15 Annex 1 (e.g., core temperature 56 °C for 30 min for heat treatment).
5	Mark each pallet with IPPC stamp	Accredited fumigator	Treated pallet	Marked pallet	Stamp contains ISO 2-letter country code, accredited producer/facility code, and treatment code (HT or MB), applied visibly and durably.
6	Receive fumigation certificate	CN Freight Forwarder	Fumigator's treatment log	Fumigation certificate (paper + PDF)	Certificate references pallet count, treatment date, facility code, and matches the IPPC mark.
7	Pre-shipment visual inspection (AQL)	QA Inspector	Marked pallets	AQL inspection report	Sample drawn per ISO 2859-1 General Inspection Level II; AQL 2.5 applied for visible marking defects; pass/fail recorded.
8	Compile export dossier	CN Freight Forwarder	Commercial invoice, packing list, fumigation certificate, ISPM-15 photo evidence	Export dossier (.zip)	All four documents present, consistent, and signed; checksum logged.
9	Customs export declaration (CN)	CN Customs Broker	Export dossier	Customs release note	Declaration accepted by China customs through the official single-window electronic portal.
10	Pre-load container inspection	Loading Supervisor	Empty container, cargo, dunnage	Container cleanliness & packing report	All wood inside container (including dunnage) carries a legible IPPC mark or is ISPM-15 exempt material.
11	Sea freight CN → DE	Ocean Carrier	Customs-cleared container	Bill of Lading (B/L)	B/L issued; ETA at the agreed German port confirmed; B/L transmitted to consignee.
12	EU import phytosanitary check (DE)	DE Customs / Plant Health Authority	Import declaration + dossier	Release for free circulation	Documentary and, where required, identity checks completed by the competent German authority.

4. Timeline with Dependencies

Day	Activity	Depends on
D-5	Fumigation booking and treatment	Pallet count confirmed
D-4	IPPC marking & certificate issued	Fumigation completed
D-3	AQL visual inspection	Marking completed
D-2	Export dossier assembly & CN export declaration	Inspection passed
D-1	Container loading & B/L release	Customs release
D-0 to D+25	Ocean transit CN → DE (indicative)	Vessel schedule
D+25 onward	DE import phytosanitary & customs clearance	Arrival at German port, dossier received

5. Cost Slots (Indicative — UNCERTAIN)

Cost line	Basis	Status
Fumigation treatment per pallet	per pallet (CNY, indicative)	UNCERTAIN — quote per shipment
Fumigation certificate issuance	per shipment	UNCERTAIN — quote per shipment
AQL inspection labour	per man-hour	UNCERTAIN — quote per shipment
Phytosanitary check fee (DE)	per declaration	UNCERTAIN — confirm with German competent authority

All amounts in the table above are indicative and UNCERTAIN. Final figures depend on pallet volume, carrier surcharges, exchange rates, and authority fees in force at the time of shipment.

6. Duties and Tariffs (R5)

HS code: To be assigned per the specific LFP equipment or part line; the 6-digit classification must be confirmed against the official WCO Harmonized System and the EU TARIC before declaration. [Claim | Src: World Customs Organization | URL: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs-nomenclature-2022-edition.aspx | accessed 2026-09-21]

Duty / VAT rates: PENDING — lookup at the official EU Taxation and Customs Union portal and the German customs information page before each shipment; rates vary by HS code, country of origin, and any preferential treatment applicable to the People's Republic of China. [Claim | Src: European Commission — Taxation and Customs Union | URL: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/home_en | accessed 2026-09-21] [Claim | Src: German Customs (Zoll) | URL: https://www.zoll.de/EN/Home/home_node.html | accessed 2026-09-21]

Disclaimer: Tradvolt does not provide duty or tax advice. The figures used in any quotation must be verified by a licensed customs broker or the competent national authority at the moment of declaration. Hardcoding of rates is deliberately avoided in this SOP.

7. Document Checklist

01_Sales_Contract_LFP.pdf — signed buyer-seller agreement referencing Incoterms 2020 LFP.
02_Technical_Spec_Sheet.pdf — model, serial range, weight, dimensions.
03_HS_Classification_Sheet.xlsx — 6-digit HS code proposal and notes.
04_Fumigation_Service_Order.pdf — purchase order to accredited provider.
05_Fumigation_Certificate.pdf — issued by accredited provider.
06_IPPC_Mark_Photos.zip — photographs of representative pallet marks.
07_AQL_Inspection_Report.pdf — ISO 2859-1 sampling evidence.
08_Commercial_Invoice.pdf
09_Packing_List.pdf — must list every wooden item subject to ISPM-15.
10_CN_Export_Declaration_Receipt.pdf
11_Bill_of_Lading.pdf
12_DE_Import_Release_Notice.pdf — once German authority releases the consignment.

8. Risk Notes

Non-compliant or absent IPPC mark = consignment may be refused entry or re-exported at importer cost at the German border.
Heat treatment (HT) is the dominant option; methyl bromide (MB) use is restricted in many jurisdictions and should be confirmed with the accredited provider.
Pallets fabricated from manufactured wood (e.g., plywood, OSB, particle board) are exempt from ISPM-15; raw-wood pallets are not.

9. Calls to Action

Request Quote — replies in 48h | Download SOP Checklist (PDF)

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