Exporting to China In response to extensive mortality caused by the pinewood nematode, a microscopic eelworm, China adopted emergency quarantine regulations that were effective as of January 1, 2000. The regulation affected the standards of pallets that could be exported from the United States into China. The end result in regards to pallets is that all softwood pallets must be Heat Treated or fumigated. Pallet Masters, Inc. has gained the ability to Heat Treat pallets with the acquisition of the Pest-Heat oven which heats pallets to the degree specified by governing agencies to insure freedom from pinewood nematode.