Used Pallets
Sustainable pallet solutions — inspected, repaired, and certified. Used pallets reduce waste and save your business money.
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Why Choose Used Pallets?
Over 500 million pallets are manufactured in the US each year, and millions end up in landfills. Used pallets are inspected, repaired where needed, and put back to work. They deliver the same functionality at 40-60% less cost while keeping wood out of the waste stream.
48x40 GMA Wood Pallet
The industry standard. Used by virtually every warehouse, retailer, and logistics provider in North America. Our used GMA pallets are inspected and repaired to meet load requirements. The 48x40 footprint has been the dominant standard since the Grocery Manufacturers Association established it in the 1960s.
Specifications
- 48" x 40"
- Hardwood or Softwood
- Up to 2,500 lbs dynamic
- Forklift & pallet jack compatible
48x40 Block Pallet
Four-way entry pallet with block supports instead of stringers. Better forklift access from all sides. Common in grocery and beverage distribution. Block pallets use nine blocks of solid wood or composite to support the deck, making them accessible from all four sides by both forklifts and pallet jacks.
Specifications
- 48" x 40"
- Four-way entry
- Up to 2,800 lbs dynamic
- Grocery-grade available
48x48 Pallet
Square pallet used in chemical, drum, and beverage industries. Provides extra space for non-standard loads. Available in stringer and block styles. The square footprint is ideal for 55-gallon drums, which typically require a 48x48 base to sit four drums per pallet.
Specifications
- 48" x 48"
- Chemical & drum shipping
- Up to 2,500 lbs dynamic
- Block or stringer
Plastic Pallets
Lightweight, sanitary, and durable. Ideal for food processing, pharmaceuticals, and clean-room environments. Can be washed and reused hundreds of times. Plastic pallets are impervious to moisture, chemicals, and insects, making them the preferred choice for regulated industries.
Specifications
- Various sizes
- Washable & sanitary
- Lighter than wood
- No splinters or nails
Export Pallets
ISPM-15 compliant heat-treated pallets designed for international shipping. These pallets have been treated to eliminate pests per international phytosanitary requirements. Each pallet is stamped with the official IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) mark certifying compliance.
Specifications
- 48" x 40" or custom
- ISPM-15 certified
- HT stamped
- Accepted worldwide
Presswood Pallets
Made from compressed recycled wood fibers and resin. Presswood pallets are lightweight, consistent in quality, and automatically ISPM-15 exempt because the manufacturing process eliminates all pests. No heat treatment stamp needed for international shipping.
Specifications
- 48" x 40" standard
- ISPM-15 exempt
- Uniform quality
- Lightweight (30-35 lbs)
Display Pallets
Retail-ready pallets designed to be placed directly on the sales floor. Smaller footprint, cleaner appearance, and often include integrated display features. Used by retailers for seasonal promotions, end-cap displays, and high-volume items in club stores.
Specifications
- Various retail sizes
- Clean appearance
- Quarter and half pallet sizes
- Retail floor ready
Custom Size Pallets
Non-standard sizes for specific applications. We can source or build pallets to your exact dimensions from reclaimed lumber. Whether you need an oversized pallet for machinery or a small pallet for automated systems, we build to your specifications.
Specifications
- Any dimension
- Reclaimed lumber
- ISPM-15 available
- Built to order
Load Capacity Guide
Understanding the difference between static, dynamic, and racking loads is essential for safe pallet use.
Static Load
Maximum weight a pallet can support while resting on a flat, level surface with no movement. This is the highest capacity rating because the load is evenly distributed with full floor support.
Dynamic Load
Maximum weight during transport — being lifted by a forklift, moved by a pallet jack, or riding on a conveyor. Dynamic loads account for vibration, acceleration, and uneven force distribution during movement.
Racking Load
Maximum weight when placed on warehouse racking, supported only by the edges. The center of the pallet is unsupported, creating bending stress. This is always the lowest and most critical capacity rating.
| Pallet Type | Static Load | Dynamic Load | Racking Load |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48x40 Stringer (Hardwood) | 6,000 lbs | 2,500 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| 48x40 Block (Hardwood) | 7,500 lbs | 2,800 lbs | 2,500 lbs |
| 48x48 Stringer | 5,500 lbs | 2,500 lbs | 1,800 lbs |
| Plastic (Standard) | 8,000 lbs | 2,500 lbs | 2,200 lbs |
| Export (Softwood HT) | 4,500 lbs | 2,200 lbs | 1,500 lbs |
| Presswood | 3,500 lbs | 1,500 lbs | 1,200 lbs |
| Display (Quarter) | 2,500 lbs | 1,000 lbs | N/A |
Note: Load capacities shown are for pallets in good condition. Used pallets may have reduced capacity depending on repair history and grade. Always test critical loads.
Pallet Repair & Refurbishment
Every used pallet that enters our facility goes through a thorough inspection and repair process. Our goal is to return each pallet to a condition that meets or exceeds the load requirements for its intended use.
Pallets that cannot be economically repaired are dismantled, and the usable lumber is reclaimed for building custom pallets or other wood products. Nothing goes to waste.
Inspection
Every pallet is visually inspected for broken boards, cracked stringers, protruding nails, and structural integrity. Pallets are sorted by repair level needed.
Repair
Broken deck boards and stringers are replaced with matching lumber. Protruding nails are driven or removed. Lead boards are replaced if split or missing.
Quality Check
Repaired pallets undergo a final quality check to ensure they meet NWPCA (National Wooden Pallet and Container Association) standards for their grade.
Grading & Inventory
Pallets are graded (Grade A, B, or C), stacked, and added to our inventory. Turnaround time from receipt to availability is typically 3-5 business days.
ISPM-15 Compliance
If you export goods internationally, your wood packaging must comply with ISPM-15 regulations. We provide fully compliant heat-treated pallets with official certification.
What is ISPM-15?
ISPM-15 is an international phytosanitary measure that regulates wood packaging material in international trade. It requires that all raw wood packaging (pallets, crates, dunnage) be treated to eliminate insects and pathogens that could spread between countries.
Heat Treatment (HT)
The most common ISPM-15 treatment method. Pallets are heated to a core temperature of 56 degrees Celsius (133 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 30 minutes. This kills all wood-boring insects and larvae without chemicals. Each treated pallet is stamped with the IPPC mark.
Our Certification
We are a licensed ISPM-15 treatment facility. Our heat treatment kiln is calibrated and audited regularly. Every treated pallet receives the official IPPC stamp with our facility number, verifying compliance for customs authorities worldwide.
When Do You Need ISPM-15?
Required For:
- Any wood pallet or crate crossing international borders
- Dunnage (wood used to brace cargo in containers)
- Wood crating and skids for international freight
Not Required For:
- Domestic-only shipments within the same country
- Plastic, metal, or presswood pallets (exempt)
- Plywood, particle board, or OSB packaging (processed wood)
Pallet Pooling Program
Our pallet pooling program creates a closed-loop system where pallets are shared, returned, repaired, and reused — reducing costs and environmental impact for everyone involved.
How It Works
You purchase pallets from us at standard pricing. After use, you return the pallets to our facility (or we arrange pickup). We inspect, repair if needed, and credit your account. Those pallets go back into our inventory for the next customer. The cycle continues, and everyone benefits.
Benefits
- Lower net cost per pallet through return credits
- No storage burden — return pallets when you are done
- Guaranteed supply through priority allocation
- Sustainability reporting for your ESG and green initiatives
- Simplified budgeting with predictable pallet costs
Pooling Program Tiers
Standard return credit. Monthly pickup or drop-off.
Enhanced return credit. Bi-weekly scheduled service.
Best credit rates. Weekly service. Dedicated account manager. Custom reporting.
Pallet FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about our pallet products and services.
What is the difference between a stringer pallet and a block pallet?
Stringer pallets use two or three long boards (stringers) to support the deck. They provide two-way forklift entry (or partial four-way if notched). Block pallets use nine blocks of solid wood arranged in a 3x3 pattern. They allow true four-way forklift and pallet jack entry from all sides, making them more versatile in tight warehouse spaces.
What does ISPM-15 mean, and do I need it?
ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is an international regulation that requires all wood packaging material used in international trade to be treated to kill pests. If you are exporting goods internationally, your wood pallets must be ISPM-15 compliant and bear the official IPPC stamp. Domestic-only shipments do not require ISPM-15 compliance.
How many times can a wooden pallet be reused?
A well-built GMA hardwood pallet can typically make 10 to 20 trips before requiring repair, and with repair it can last 50 or more trips over several years. Softwood pallets have a shorter lifespan of 5 to 10 trips. Plastic pallets last significantly longer — up to 200 trips or more — but have a higher initial cost.
What is the difference between static, dynamic, and racking load capacity?
Static load is the maximum weight a pallet can hold while sitting flat on the floor or stacked. Dynamic load is the maximum weight while being moved by a forklift or pallet jack — it is lower because of the forces and vibration during movement. Racking load is the maximum weight when the pallet is supported only by its edges on warehouse racking beams, with the center unsupported. Racking load is the most demanding and always the lowest number.
Do you offer pallet buyback or return programs?
Yes. Our pallet pooling program allows you to return pallets after use, and we will credit you or refund a portion of the purchase price. This is especially popular with businesses that receive pallets with incoming shipments and have no further use for them. Contact us for details on our buyback pricing.
Can I get custom-sized pallets for automated systems?
Absolutely. We build pallets to any dimension you need. For automated systems, precise dimensions and consistent quality are critical. We can produce pallets with tighter tolerances (+/- 1/8 inch) for conveyor and AS/RS compatibility. Provide your specifications and we will quote a custom build.