Resources & Guides
General pallet knowledge to help you make informed decisions. From buying guides and industry standards to sustainability insights and practical tips.
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Explore the Resources
Whether you are a first-time pallet buyer or a seasoned logistics professional, these guides cover the basics and point you to the right questions to ask a supplier.
Pallet Buying Guide
A guide to buying pallets: assessing your needs, choosing the right size, understanding grades, comparing costs, and inspecting what arrives.
ExploreIndustry Standards
Learn about ISPM 15 and heat treatment for export pallets, the IPPC mark, and common pallet sizes and types. Always check current regulations for your shipment.
ExploreFrequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about pallet types, grades, sizes, ISPM 15, and how a quote request works.
ExploreBlog
Articles on pallet recycling, sustainability, industry trends, and practical tips for businesses in the supply chain.
ExplorePopular Pages
Pallet Knowledge Base
A few essentials worth knowing before you request a quote. Specifications vary by supplier, so confirm details for your own application.
The GMA pallet, measuring 48 inches by 40 inches, is the most widely used pallet size in North America. Its popularity in grocery, retail, and general commerce generally makes it easier to source from suppliers than less common sizes.
Wood pallets are commonly sorted, repaired, and put back into service several times. Reusing a pallet avoids building a new one, and wood that cannot be repaired can often be ground into mulch or fuel, depending on the recycler.
Recycled pallets are commonly described as Grade A, B, or C, from cleanest and most uniform to most worn. There is no single legal grade definition, so ask the supplier what each grade means before you order.
Two-way pallets can be lifted from two sides, while four-way pallets (block or notched-stringer designs) can be lifted from all four. Match the entry type to your forklifts, pallet jacks, and racking.
For international shipments, ISPM 15 requires wood packaging to be treated, commonly by heating the wood core to 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, and to carry the IPPC mark. Check current regulations for your destination.
Stringer pallets use long boards between the decks, and block pallets use blocks. Block pallets are generally stronger and allow four-way entry, while stringer pallets are widely used and often less expensive.
Topics Worth Watching
General themes that affect how businesses buy, use, and reuse pallets.
Lumber Prices and Pallet Costs
Lumber prices move with housing demand, mill capacity, and trade policy, and those swings can affect what new pallets cost. Reused pallets often cost less than new, so it can be worth asking for quotes on both when you plan a purchase.
Automation and Pallet Consistency
Automated guided vehicles, conveyors, and robotic palletizers tend to have tighter tolerances than manual forklifts. If your facility uses automated handling, ask suppliers about dimensional consistency and whether new or higher-grade pallets are a better fit.
ISPM 15 and Export Shipments
Many countries require wood packaging in international shipments to be treated under ISPM 15 and marked with the IPPC stamp. Rules and inspection practices differ by destination, so check current regulations and confirm documentation needs with your freight forwarder.
Packaging and Sustainability Goals
Companies increasingly look at the environmental side of packaging choices. Reusing and repairing pallets avoids building new ones, and wood that cannot be repaired can often be ground into mulch or fuel, depending on the recycler.
A Practical Buying Tip
Compare Cost Per Trip, Not Just Cost Per Pallet
The cheapest pallet is not always the least expensive one to use. Here is what to look at when you compare quotes:
- 1.Track your damage rate. If many pallets are damaged on each trip, your handling practices or pallet grade may need adjustment. High damage rates mean you are paying for pallets that never complete their useful life.
- 2.Think in trips. A lower-priced pallet that survives only a trip or two can cost more per use than a sturdier pallet that survives many. Divide the price by the number of trips you expect.
- 3.Check your return rate. Are pallets coming back from customers? If you lose pallets downstream, a lower grade may suit one-way shipments, while higher grades make more sense for closed-loop operations where pallets return to you.
- 4.Ask about volume. If your pallet use has grown, tell suppliers when you request quotes. Pricing is set by each partner supplier and may change with quantity.
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