Custom Pallet Solutions
Need a non-standard size or heat-treated pallets for export? Custom-size pallets and heat-treated pallets are available by request through partner suppliers. Availability depends on the supplier.
Request a Quote
Fill out the form and a partner supplier will follow up with a customized quote.
What You Can Request
When off-the-shelf pallets do not fit your needs, a partner supplier may be able to build to your specification. Two requests come up most often.
Custom-Size Pallets
Pallets built to your dimensions, for products that do not fit standard footprints. Describe the footprint, the load, and how the pallet will be handled, and a supplier can tell you whether they can build it and what it would cost.
Built to your dimensions, by requestHeat-Treated Pallets
ISPM 15 heat-treated pallets for international shipping. Treatment brings the wood to a core temperature of 56 °C for 30 minutes and is done by an authorized treatment provider. Treated pallets carry the IPPC mark.
ISPM 15 treatment, by requestHeat Treatment
for Export
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15) sets treatment requirements for wood packaging used in international trade, to reduce the risk of spreading pests. Treatment is carried out by authorized treatment providers, not by Phoenix Pallet Recycling.
Core Temperature: 56 °C
Under the heat treatment option, wood must reach a core temperature of 56 °C for 30 minutes.
The IPPC Mark
Treated pallets are stamped with the IPPC mark, which shows that the wood packaging was treated under the standard.
Methyl Bromide
Methyl bromide fumigation is also recognized by the standard, but it is not generally used, and heat treatment is the usual choice.
Repairs and Re-Treatment
If a treated pallet is repaired with untreated wood, it generally needs to be treated again before it is used for export.
Who Needs Heat Treatment?
If your wood pallets or crates are crossing international borders, they will usually need ISPM 15 treatment. Non-compliant shipments can be held up or turned away at the destination.
How a Custom Request Works
Phoenix Pallet Recycling takes your request and passes it to a partner supplier. Here is what typically happens next.
Send Your Requirements
Tell us about your application through the form. What product are you palletizing? What does it weigh? How will it be shipped? Are there racking or automation considerations? Does it need heat treatment?
A Partner Supplier Follows Up
A supplier in our network follows up to confirm whether they can build what you need. They may ask about dimensions, load, quantity, wood type, and timing.
Confirm the Specification
Agree on the details before production: dimensions, board thickness, stringer or block type, wood species, fasteners, entry points, and treatment. Ask for the specification in writing.
Consider a Sample
For complex orders or tight tolerances, ask whether the supplier can provide a sample pallet to test with your product, conveyor, or racking before a full order.
Treatment and Marking
If your pallets need heat treatment, it is carried out by an authorized treatment provider and the pallets carry the IPPC mark. Ask the supplier how treatment is arranged and whether it affects timing.
Delivery or Pickup
Delivery and pickup arrangements are set by the supplier. Ask what is available for your location.
Why People Request Custom Pallets
Non-Standard Product Sizes
Products that do not fit a 48x40 footprint waste space and can overhang the pallet edge. A pallet sized to the product protects it and uses the truck better.
Heavy or Concentrated Loads
Machinery and dense products may need stronger stringers, thicker boards, or a different construction. Share the weight and how it sits on the pallet when you request a quote.
Automated Handling
Conveyors and automated storage systems can be sensitive to small dimensional differences. If your pallets run through automation, give the supplier your tolerances.
Export & International Shipping
Pallets built to foreign standard dimensions, such as 1200x800 Euro, with ISPM 15 heat treatment where the destination requires it.
What to Decide When Specifying a Pallet
Below are the choices that make up a pallet specification and the options commonly available. What a particular supplier can build depends on the supplier.
Material Options for Custom Builds
The wood, the treatment, and the fasteners all affect how long a pallet lasts and what it can carry. Here is a general overview of the options.
Wood Species
Southern Yellow Pine (SYP)
A common choice. Good strength-to-weight ratio, easy to nail and heat-treat, and widely used for general-purpose pallets.
Often used for: General-purpose, mid-weight loads
Red Oak
A hardwood. Heavier than softwood, with good load capacity and resistance to impact and splitting.
Often used for: Heavy-duty, repeated-use pallets
Hard Maple
A dense, hard wood with strong wear resistance. Heavier and typically costs more.
Often used for: Demanding handling conditions
Mixed Hardwood
A blend of oak, maple, ash, and other hardwoods. Often a more economical alternative to a single hardwood species.
Often used for: Cost-effective durability
Spruce / Pine / Fir (SPF)
A lightweight softwood blend. Easy to handle and lowers shipping weight.
Often used for: Lightweight loads, export pallets
Treatments
Heat Treatment (HT)
Wood is heated until the core reaches 56 °C for 30 minutes, which kills insects and other pests. It is the usual treatment for ISPM 15 compliance.
IPPC mark on treated pallets
Kiln Drying (KD)
Wood is dried in a controlled kiln to reduce moisture content. Drier wood is less prone to warping and mold. Kiln drying is a separate process from ISPM 15 heat treatment.
Ask the supplier how KD is marked
Methyl Bromide (MB)
A chemical fumigation recognized by the standard but not generally used, because of environmental concerns. Heat treatment is the usual alternative.
Not generally used
Fasteners
Ring-Shank Nails
A common choice. The ridged shaft holds better than a smooth-shank nail and resists backing out under vibration, impact, and humidity changes.
Screw-Shank Nails
Helically threaded for strong holding power. Used where nail retention is critical, such as heavy-duty and repeated-use pallets.
Deck Board Screws
Used where nail back-out is a concern. They hold very well, though assembly is slower.
Carriage Bolts
Used for heavy-duty reinforcement, such as companion boards on stringers, where a permanent mechanical fastening is needed.
ISPM 15 Heat Treatment: The Basics
If your pallets are crossing international borders, ISPM 15 compliance is usually expected. Here is a plain-language look at how the standard works.
Treatment Process: Step by Step
1. Inspection
Wood packaging is checked before treatment. The standard has rules about bark and about the condition of the wood, so the treatment provider screens for them.
2. Kiln Loading
Pallets are stacked in a kiln with air gaps between units so heat distributes evenly. Temperature probes are placed in the thickest wood to monitor the core temperature.
3. Heat Cycle
The kiln heats until the core of the wood reaches 56 °C. The core is then held at 56 °C or above for 30 minutes.
4. Cooling and Marking
After the cycle, the pallets cool. Each treated pallet then receives the IPPC mark, which includes the country code, the producer code, and the treatment designation HT.
5. Records
Treatment providers keep their own records of each treatment. What documents you receive depends on the provider and on what the destination requires, so ask in advance.
Key Points
Common Questions About Heat Treatment
Do repaired pallets need re-treatment?
Generally yes. If untreated wood is added during repair, the pallet is no longer fully treated and typically needs to be treated again and re-marked before export use.
How long does heat treatment last?
The IPPC mark does not carry an expiration date, but a pallet generally needs re-treatment if new untreated wood is added, if it becomes contaminated, or if the mark is no longer legible.
Which countries require ISPM 15?
Many countries apply ISPM 15 to imported wood packaging. Requirements differ by destination, so ask your freight forwarder or carrier what applies to your shipment.
Is documentation provided with treated pallets?
Treated pallets carry the IPPC mark. Whether additional paperwork is available depends on the treatment provider and on what the destination requires, so ask the supplier before you order.
Can I request custom pallets for export packaging?
Yes, you can request them. Custom sizes and materials, with heat treatment where needed, are available by request through partner suppliers. Availability depends on the supplier.