Grade B Standard Pallets
The industry workhorse. Grade B pallets deliver reliable structural performance with minor cosmetic wear — offering the best balance of quality and cost for most business applications.
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What Makes a Pallet Grade B?
A Grade B pallet is a fully functional, structurally sound pallet that shows moderate signs of prior use. It may have one or two deck boards that have been replaced during a previous repair cycle, minor surface staining or discoloration from storage or handling, and cosmetic wear that does not affect performance.
The key distinction between Grade A and Grade B is cosmetic, not structural. A Grade B pallet carries the same rated load capacity as a Grade A pallet of the same size and construction type. It simply looks more used. Replacement boards may be a different wood species or color than the originals, nails may have slight surface rust, and the wood may show weathering consistent with normal outdoor exposure.
For the vast majority of warehousing and shipping applications, Grade B pallets perform identically to Grade A at a lower cost. They are the most popular grade we sell, accounting for roughly 50% of our total recycled pallet volume. Businesses that use manual forklifts, hand jacks, and standard selective racking will find Grade B pallets entirely satisfactory.
Standard Grade
30–40% less than new pallets
At a Glance
- Up to 2 repaired deck boards
- Minor surface staining allowed
- Full rated load capacity
- 1/2" dimensional tolerance
- Structurally sound throughout
- Most popular recycled grade
Grade B Specifications
Deck Boards
- •Up to 2 replacement boards permitted
- •Replacement boards securely nailed
- •No broken boards — splits repaired or replaced
- •Minimum 5/8" thickness on all boards
- •Board color variation acceptable
Stringers / Blocks
- •No broken or cracked stringers
- •Minor notch damage permitted (non-structural)
- •No rot or insect damage
- •May show surface weathering
- •Full load capacity maintained
Fasteners
- •All nails driven flush or within 1/8"
- •Minor surface rust on nail heads acceptable
- •No missing fasteners on repaired boards
- •Original fasteners may show wear
- •Repair nails must be ring-shank or equivalent
Surface Condition
- •Minor staining and discoloration allowed
- •No active mold or mildew
- •No chemical contamination
- •Light weathering acceptable
- •No strong odors or residue
Dimensions
- •Within 1/2" of nominal on length and width
- •Pallet must sit flat without rocking
- •Fork openings within functional tolerance
- •Slight board misalignment acceptable
- •Suitable for standard racking systems
Certifications
- •ISPM-15 heat treatment available
- •Re-stamped after heat treatment
- •Grade documentation on request
- •Meets NWPCA Grade B standards
- •Suitable for domestic and most export use
When Grade B Is the Right Choice
General Warehousing
If your warehouse uses standard selective pallet racking, push-back racking, or floor stacking with manual forklifts, Grade B pallets are the sweet spot. They cost significantly less than Grade A while performing the same job day after day.
Domestic Ground Shipping
For palletized freight moving via truck within the United States, Grade B pallets are the standard choice. They meet carrier requirements, handle loading dock impacts, and protect your products throughout the journey.
Manufacturing & Production
Production floors need pallets that can handle heavy components, work-in-progress inventory, and repeated forklift cycles. Grade B pallets deliver this durability at a price that keeps your material handling costs under control.
Non-Food Consumer Goods
Household products, building materials, electronics accessories, and general merchandise ship safely on Grade B pallets. The minor cosmetic differences have zero impact on product protection or load stability.
Grade B vs. Grade A and Grade C
Grade B vs. Grade A
The functional difference is minimal. Grade A looks newer and has tighter dimensional tolerances. If your operation uses automated material handling equipment that requires exact dimensions, choose Grade A. For everything else, Grade B saves you 10 to 15 percent compared to Grade A with no loss in performance.
Grade B vs. Grade C
Grade C pallets have more repairs and wider dimensional tolerances. If you need pallets for repeated use, racking storage, or loads that will be handled multiple times, Grade B is worth the modest premium over Grade C. Reserve Grade C for single-use shipments where the pallet will not be returned.