Exporting food products and need pallets that won’t fail inspection

[Niamh]

We nearly lost a whole shipment of dates to Saudi last month because the inspector took one look at our wooden pallets and found traces of mold between the slats, proper nightmare that cost us a delay penalty and a very awkward conversation with the buyer. Our forwarder suggested switching to something non porous and easy to wash down so I’ve been reading up on the 5 runner flat hygienic pallet with steel bars that’s apparently built for exactly this kind of headache. The closed deck design seems like a no brainer for keeping gunk out but I’m wondering how the steel reinforcement holds up when the pallets are sitting in a container in Jeddah port where the heat inside must hit 60 degrees easily. Also does anyone know if these things are ISPM 15 exempt by default since they’re plastic and steel or do you still need some kind of certificate to wave in front of customs? Would rather not repeat the mold incident if I can help it.