How to buy used pallets
Buying pallets sounds simple until you're staring at a stack wondering which size, which grade, and whether that stamp matters. This guide walks the whole decision — with a checklist you can bring to the yard.
Tell us what you're buying
Tell us what you've got or what you need. Every field marked * is required — we reply within one business day.
Choose the right size
Size is the first fork because it determines everything downstream — racking fit, truck-floor efficiency, and how your product sits. The 48×40 GMApallet is the North American standard and the right default when you're not sure: it fits standard pallet racking, drop-trailer floors and most automated handling. If you ship overseas, or your product has an odd footprint, you may need a different size.
Don't guess. Our standard size chart lists every common footprint — GMA, Euro, half-pallet, block and stringer styles — with dimensions and typical uses. Measure your load, check your racking beam spacing, then pick the size that fits both. If nothing standard fits, new & custom pallets can be built to your exact spec.
Choose the right grade
Grade is condition, and it's where most of your money either goes or gets saved. Match the grade to the job — paying for A-grade to move scrap inside your own warehouse is waste, and shipping product to a customer on a C-grade pallet is a risk.
| Grade | Condition | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A (#1) | Strong, few repairs, clean look | Outbound shipping, display, customer-facing freight |
| B (#2) | Sound but visibly repaired/worn | Internal use, storage, lower-value freight |
| C | Bottom-tier / for parts | One-way loads, upcycling stock, salvage |
Read the full method on grades explained— it shows exactly what we look at when we assign a grade, so you know what you're paying for.
New vs. recycled — and do you need heat treatment?
New vs. recycled
For the large majority of shipping, storage and internal jobs, recycled pallets are the smart buy: a fraction of the price of new, structurally equivalent, and far greener. Choose new or custom when you need a precise non-standard size, a specific wood or fastener spec, a pristine appearance, or perfect uniformity across a large run.
Heat treatment (ISPM-15)
This one confuses a lot of first-time buyers. You only need heat-treated (HT-stamped) pallets if your product will cross an international border— ISPM-15 is a pest-control rule for solid-wood packaging in global trade. For domestic US shipping it isn't required. Full details on heat treatment & ISPM-15. If you're also curious what those stamps mean, our reading a pallet stamp guide decodes every symbol.
The inspection checklist
Whether you're at will-call or receiving a delivery, run this quick check on a sample of the load:
- Stringers / blocks: no cracks, splits or breaks through the supports.
- Deck boards: none cracked, missing, or badly cupped; lead boards intact.
- Fasteners: nails set flush, no protruding or backed-out nails.
- Footprint: matches the size you ordered — measure, don't eyeball.
- Squareness: pallet sits flat and doesn't rock or rack.
- Cleanliness: no oil, chemical staining, mold or strong odor.
- Stamp (if shipping abroad): clear IPPC/ISPM-15 heat-treatment mark present.
- Consistency: across the load, condition matches the grade you paid for.
Questions worth asking any supplier
- What grade is this, and how do you define it?
- Are these repaired, remanufactured (combo) or original pallets?
- Is the price per pallet, and does it change with volume?
- Are they heat-treated, and can you confirm the stamp?
- Can I inspect or will-call before committing to a big order?
- What's delivery vs. pickup, and lead time on my quantity?
We answer all six up front — no runaround. Not sure how many you need or which spec fits? Send a quote request or contact usand we'll help you land on the right pallet the first time.
The four decisions on one page
Buying pallets well is really four decisions made in order. Rush them out of sequence and you over- or under-buy; take them in order and the right pallet almost picks itself. Here's the whole framework at a glance.
| # | Decision | The default | Choose otherwise when… |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Size | 48×40 GMA | You ship overseas or have an odd load/racking footprint |
| 2 | Grade | B for internal, A for outbound | Customer-facing display (A) or salvage/upcycling stock (C) |
| 3 | New vs. recycled | Recycled | You need precise specs, pristine looks or large-run uniformity |
| 4 | Treatment | Untreated / any domestic | Your product crosses an international border (need HT) |
Decide in orderSize first, because it constrains everything else. Treatment last, because it's a simple yes/no once you know where the load is going.
Quick selectors: size, grade & treatment
Size selector
- Standard domestic freight, racking, most jobs → 48×40 GMA.
- Shipping to Europe / matching a Euro system → Euro 1200×800 mm.
- Tight retail space, small loads, display → half-pallet.
- Odd product footprint or nothing standard fits → new & custom.
Grade selector
- Goes to a customer or on display → Grade A (#1).
- Stays inside your four walls → Grade B (#2).
- One-way trip, salvage or a build project → Grade C.
Heat-treatment selector
- Load crosses an international border → Heat-treated (HT / ISPM-15) is required.
- Load stays within the US → HT not required (but HT stock is fine to use).
- You'll upcycle the wood → Prefer HT or clean unstamped; avoid MB. See reading a pallet stamp.
Volume, budgeting & total cost
Answer first: the per-pallet price you're quoted isn't the whole cost — and it drops as volume rises. Handling, sorting and delivery cost roughly the same whether we load 20 or 200, so quantity is the biggest lever you control. Beyond the sticker price, budget for these factors:
- Quantity. Per-pallet price generally falls with volume and with recurring orders.
- Delivery vs. will-call. Picking up at the yard trims cost; delivery adds it but saves your time and truck.
- Grade mix. Buying B for internal use and reserving A for outbound spreads your money where it matters.
- Repair/combo vs. original. Combos usually cost less and perform the same for most jobs.
- Return value. When you're done, sound cores can be sold back — factor that recovery into the true cost.
The cheapest program is rarely the cheapest pallet — it's the right grade at the right volume with cores that come back to you at the end. Send your quantity, size and gradeand we'll price it specifically.
Pallet buying guide — FAQ
Buying used pallets FAQ
What size pallet should I buy?
Start with your load and your equipment. The 48×40 GMA is the North American default and the safest bet if you're unsure — it fits standard racking and truck floors. If you ship internationally you may need a Euro (1200×800 mm) or a size that matches your container. Our size chart lists every common footprint so you can match dimensions before ordering.
What's the difference between grade A, B and C pallets?
Grade is condition. A-grade (or #1) pallets are structurally strong with little cosmetic wear — good for shipping, display and anything customer-facing. B-grade (#2) pallets are sound but show repairs and more wear — perfect for internal use and lower-value freight. C-grade is bottom-tier or for-parts. Our grades page explains exactly how we inspect and assign each level.
Should I buy new or recycled pallets?
Recycled pallets cost a fraction of new and are the right call for most shipping, storage and internal use — they're structurally identical to new for the vast majority of jobs. Buy new (or custom) when you need a precise size, a specific wood or fastener spec, a pristine appearance, or guaranteed uniformity across a large run. Many customers mix both.
Do I need heat-treated (ISPM-15) pallets?
Only for international shipping. ISPM-15 requires that solid-wood packaging crossing borders be heat-treated (HT) or fumigated and stamped, to prevent moving pests between countries. For purely domestic use within the US, heat treatment isn't legally required — though HT pallets are common and perfectly fine to use. See our heat-treatment page for the full rule.
How does volume pricing work?
Per-pallet price generally drops as quantity rises, because handling, sorting and delivery cost roughly the same whether we load 20 or 200. Mixed loads, will-call pickup and recurring orders all improve the number too. Send us your quantity, size and grade through a quote and we'll price it specifically.
Can I inspect pallets before I buy?
Yes. You're welcome to will-call at the yard at 7225 S Kolb Rd to see and select stock, and for larger orders we can walk you through condition and grade before delivery. We'd rather you get the right pallet than a surprise on the dock.
Budgeting, value & red flags — FAQ
Volume & budgeting FAQ
How do I estimate how many pallets I need?
Work from your throughput, not a guess. Count how many loads you ship or store per week, add the pallets tied up in transit or racking at any moment, then add a buffer for damage and the ones that don't come back. For recurring needs, a standing order or scheduled restock beats reordering in a panic. Tell us your weekly volume and we'll help size it.
What drives the price of a used pallet up or down?
Grade and size do most of it — A-grade and standard 48×40 GMA command more than B-grade or oddball footprints. After that: quantity (per-pallet price drops with volume), whether you take will-call vs. delivery, whether it's a repaired, combo or original unit, and whether heat treatment is required. Mixed loads and recurring orders both help the number.
Are combo (remanufactured) pallets a good buy?
For most shipping, storage and internal jobs, yes — they're often the best value on the lot. A combo is built from good salvaged parts to a consistent spec, so it performs like a standard pallet at a lower price and with the deepest circular footprint. Buy new or original instead only when you need pristine appearance or perfect uniformity across a large run.
What are the red flags that a pallet load is a bad deal?
Watch for inconsistent condition that doesn't match the grade you're paying for, cracked or split stringers, missing or backed-out nails, footprints that don't measure to spec, and any sign of contamination — oil, chemical staining, mold or odor. On the seller side, vagueness about grade definitions, refusal to let you inspect, or unclear per-pallet vs. per-load pricing are the warning signs.
Buy the right pallet the first time
Tell us the size, grade and quantity you're after — or just describe your load and we'll spec it. Volume pricing on request.