Used Pallets
Used wooden and plastic pallets available through partner suppliers. Reusing a pallet avoids building a new one.
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Why Choose Used Pallets?
Plenty of pallets still have useful life after a trip. Used pallets are commonly repaired where needed and put back to work, which keeps wood in use for longer. Pricing is by quote from partner suppliers, and availability depends on suppliers in your area.
48x40 GMA Wood Pallet
The industry standard, used widely by warehouses, retailers, and logistics providers across North America. Used GMA pallets are commonly repaired before resale, and condition varies by partner supplier. The 48x40 footprint fits most racking, trucks, and handling equipment.
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, giving 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.
Specifications
- 48" x 40"
- Four-way entry
- Up to 2,800 lbs dynamic
- Common in distribution
48x48 Pallet
Square pallet used in drum and beverage shipping, with extra space for non-standard loads. Available in stringer and block styles. The square footprint suits 55-gallon drums, with four drums fitting on one pallet.
Specifications
- 48" x 48"
- Drum shipping
- Up to 2,500 lbs dynamic
- Block or stringer
Plastic Pallets
Lightweight and durable, and easy to wash between uses. Plastic pallets resist moisture and insects and have no nails or splinters, so they are a common pick where wood is not wanted. Availability depends on partner suppliers in your area.
Specifications
- Various sizes
- Washable
- Lighter than wood
- No splinters or nails
Export Pallets
Heat-treated pallets for international shipping, treated under ISPM-15 to eliminate pests. Treated pallets carry the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) mark. Confirm the mark with the partner supplier and check current regulations for your destination.
Specifications
- 48" x 40" or custom
- ISPM-15 heat treated
- HT stamped
- For international shipping
Presswood Pallets
Made from compressed wood fibers and resin. Presswood pallets are lightweight and consistent, and as processed wood they fall outside ISPM-15, so no heat treatment stamp is needed for international shipping.
Specifications
- 48" x 40" standard
- ISPM-15 exempt
- Uniform build
- Lightweight
Display Pallets
Retail-ready pallets designed to be placed directly on the sales floor. Smaller footprint, cleaner appearance, and often 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. Custom-size sourcing is available through partner suppliers, some of whom build pallets from reclaimed lumber. Whether you need an oversized pallet for machinery or a small pallet for automated systems, include your dimensions in your request.
Specifications
- Non-standard dimensions
- Reclaimed lumber options
- Heat treatment on request
- 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 rough figures for pallets in good condition. Actual capacity varies by design, wood species, and supplier, and used pallets may hold less depending on repair history and grade. Always test critical loads.
Pallet Repair & Refurbishment
Most used pallets go through a repair step before resale. The steps here are a general outline of how pallet recyclers work, and the details vary by partner supplier.
Pallets that cannot be economically repaired are usually dismantled, and usable lumber can be reclaimed for repairs or custom pallets.
Inspection
Pallets are checked for broken boards, cracked stringers, protruding nails, and overall structural soundness, then sorted by the repair they need.
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.
Final Check
Repaired pallets get a final check to confirm they suit the loads they are meant to carry.
Grading
Pallets are commonly sorted into grades such as A, B, or C. Grades and terms vary by partner supplier.
ISPM-15 Compliance
If you export goods internationally, wood packaging generally has to comply with ISPM-15. Heat-treated pallets are available through partner suppliers. Check current regulations for your destination.
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. Wood is heated to a core temperature of 56 degrees Celsius (133 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 30 minutes. This targets wood-boring insects and larvae without chemicals. Treated wood is stamped with the IPPC mark.
Checking the Mark
The IPPC mark identifies the country, the treatment provider, and the treatment used, with HT standing for heat treatment. When you request export pallets, ask the partner supplier to confirm that the pallets carry a legible mark.
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)
Selling or Recycling Used Pallets
Pallets piling up behind the building? Send us a free request and we'll pass it to partner suppliers who buy or recycle used pallets.
How It Works
You tell us what you have. We match your request with a partner supplier in our network. If they can take your pallets, they follow up directly with their own pricing and terms. Pickup is available through partner suppliers.
Why It Can Make Sense
- Clears floor and yard space
- Puts usable pallets back to work
- Damaged pallets may still have reclaimable lumber
- Free, no-obligation quote request
What to Include in Your Request
Dimensions, and whether they are stringer, block, or plastic.
About how many, and whether more will keep coming.
Where they are and how worn they look. Availability depends on partner suppliers in your area.
Pallet FAQ
Answers to common questions about used pallets.
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?
It depends on the build, the loads it carries, and how it is handled. A well-built hardwood pallet can make many trips, especially with repairs along the way, while lighter softwood pallets tend to wear out sooner. Plastic pallets generally last longer than wood but cost more up front.
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.
Can I sell pallets I no longer need?
You can send us a request. Tell us the pallet type, quantity, condition, and location, and we will pass it to partner suppliers. If one can take them, they will follow up with their own pricing and pickup terms.
Can I get custom-sized pallets for automated systems?
Custom-size sourcing is available through partner suppliers. For automated systems, precise dimensions and consistent build are critical, so include your specifications and required tolerances in your request. A partner supplier can tell you what they are able to build and quote it.
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Tell us the pallet type and quantity you need, and we'll match your request with a partner supplier.
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