To combat the introduction of exotic pests and pathogens via the trade of plants and wood products, phytosanitary measures have been applied at national and international levels. Over the last decade, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has established a total of twenty-four International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to facilitate the flow of trade whilst secure common and effective actions to prevent the introduction of pests from plants and plant products, and promote appropriate control and eradication measures. These ISPMs are in the general process of being implemented by the IPPC's 144 members at their national levels. The broad context and nature of these ISPMs require both exporters and importers to have up-to-date information from guidelines, systems and requirements, to pest reporting and certification marks. This paper will present a general overview on the role and function of phytosanitary measures in the trade of wood products at both the national and international level. It will examine the impact that specific implemented standards have had on certain wood product industries, using the ISPM No. 15 and its impact on the international trade of wood packaging materials as an example. The paper concludes by addressing the imminent challenges of implementing financially viable bioinvasion prevention strategies at a global level. It will discuss the challenges that these ISPMs can have for developing countries. The overview should yield a deeper understanding into the role of phytosanitary measures and the various challenges that National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) and exporters will face in meeting phytosanitary standards.