Export / International
Export Crating in Denver, CO — ISPM-15 / IPPC Certified
If your shipment is leaving the country in a wood crate, that crate must comply with ISPM-15 — the international standard for wood packaging material — or it can be refused, fumigated, or destroyed at the border, at your expense. Specialized Moving Services builds IPPC-certified export crates in Denver using heat-treated lumber marked with the official bug stamp. We've crated exports for manufacturers, freight forwarders, military and aerospace suppliers, and families relocating overseas since 1988, from our facility in Englewood or on-site anywhere on the Front Range.
What ISPM-15 / IPPC certification means
ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) exists to stop wood-boring pests from crossing borders inside packaging lumber. It requires that solid-wood packaging — crates, skids, pallets, dunnage — be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56°C for at least 30 minutes, then marked with the IPPC stamp (the 'bug stamp') identifying the country, producer, and treatment method.
Customs authorities in over 180 countries enforce it. A crate without a valid stamp doesn't argue its way through — it gets quarantined, re-packaged, or sent back. We build with certified heat-treated lumber and apply the stamp as an authorized facility, so your freight forwarder gets a crate that clears.
What's included in an SMS export crate
- ISPM-15 heat-treated lumber throughout — frame, sheathing, skid, and internal blocking
- Official IPPC bug stamp applied to the finished crate
- Internal blocking and bracing engineered for ocean and air freight handling
- Vapor-barrier wrapping with desiccant for moisture-sensitive cargo on ocean routes
- Skid bases designed for forklift access and container loading
- Bolted or screwed closures where customs inspection access is likely
- Photo documentation and piece counts for your commercial invoice and packing list
Who this is for
Freight forwarders and customs brokers: you need a crating vendor in Denver who understands that your booking doesn't move until the crate is right. We build to your dimensions and deadlines, deliver to your dock or the airport, and answer the phone when the schedule changes.
Manufacturers and exporters: machinery, instrumentation, aerospace components, medical equipment. We crate at your facility so the product goes straight from your floor into export-ready packaging.
Individuals relocating internationally: household goods, art, and heirlooms headed overseas need the same certified crating as commercial freight. We handle single-item jobs as readily as container loads.
Ocean vs. air: the crate is not the same
An ocean container spends weeks in salt air with wide temperature swings — condensation inside a crate is the default, not the exception. For ocean freight we recommend vapor-barrier packaging: the item is sealed in foil-laminate barrier film with desiccant before the crate is closed. Air freight is faster and gentler on moisture but stricter on weight and dimensions, so those crates are engineered lighter. Tell us the mode and destination and we'll spec accordingly.
How it works
- 1
Send the specs
Dimensions, weight, destination country, and shipping mode (ocean, air, or ground to a port). Photos or drawings help.
- 2
We spec and quote
Crate design, materials, vapor barrier if warranted, and a firm price — typically within one business day.
- 3
Build and stamp
Built at our Englewood facility or on-site at yours, from ISPM-15 heat-treated lumber, finished with the IPPC stamp.
- 4
Deliver or load
We can deliver to your freight forwarder, load the container, or hand off at our dock — with photos and paperwork to match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISPM-15 certification?
ISPM-15 is the international standard for wood packaging material. It requires heat treatment of solid-wood crating and pallets to kill wood-boring pests, verified by the IPPC 'bug stamp' on the finished crate. Most countries refuse untreated wood packaging at the border.
Do you supply the bug stamp?
Yes. We build with certified heat-treated lumber and the finished crate carries the IPPC mark customs officials look for. You don't need to arrange treatment separately.
Can you crate for ocean freight?
Yes — ocean is most of our export work. For moisture-sensitive cargo we add vapor-barrier packaging with desiccant inside the crate, because condensation inside an ocean container is a matter of when, not if.
Do you work with freight forwarders?
Constantly. We crate to the forwarder's spec, hit dock deadlines, and provide the piece counts and photos your documentation needs. If you're a forwarder looking for a reliable Denver crating vendor, see our commercial page.
How fast can you turn an export crate?
Standard turnaround is a few business days depending on size and count. When a booking is at risk we offer emergency same-day service — call (303) 762-1694 early and we'll tell you honestly what's possible.
Can you build on-site at our plant?
Yes. For heavy machinery and sensitive equipment we build the export crate at your facility so the item is never handled unprotected. We do this across Denver, the Front Range, and Colorado Springs.
Related services
- Custom Crating — Precision-built wood crates — solid-wall or slat — built on-site at your location or in our Englewood shop.
- Machinery & Equipment Crating — Skid-mounted industrial crates for machinery, equipment, and instrumentation — built on your plant floor.
- Vapor Barrier Packaging — Foil-laminate barrier sealing with desiccant for machinery, electronics, and anything riding an ocean container.
- Commercial & trade partner services · Residential services