Pallet Needs
by Type of Business
A warehouse, a factory and an exporter rarely need the same pallet. Request a free, no-obligation quote and a partner supplier in our network will follow up.
Warehousing
Warehouses move pallets in and out constantly, so most care about consistent size and a condition that works with their racking.
- • Pallet size
- • Grade you can accept
- • Racking or floor storage
- • Quantity per order
Distribution
Distributors often receive pallets from many sources and ship them on to customers, which makes mixed grades and standard sizes practical.
- • Standard 48x40 or other
- • Mixed grades or matched
- • Pickup of used pallets
- • Delivery location
Manufacturing
Plants may need a standard pallet for outbound goods or a custom size for parts, machinery or drums.
- • Product dimensions
- • Product weight
- • Custom size needs
- • Repeat or one-time order
Retail
Stores and retail suppliers tend to care about how a pallet looks and whether it is clean and splinter-free.
- • Appearance of the pallet
- • Cleaner grades
- • Smaller quantities
- • Size set by the retailer
Construction Supply
Building materials are heavy and often stored outside, so suppliers ask about weight and where pallets will sit.
- • Weight of the load
- • Indoor or outdoor use
- • Oversized pallets
- • Single-use or reuse
Export Shipping
Wood pallets leaving the country usually need to be treated and marked, so say so at the start of the request.
- • ISPM 15 stamped pallets
- • Heat treated (HT) mark
- • Destination country
- • Pallet size for the container
What to Put in Any Quote Request
Size and Entry
Give the footprint you need and, if forklifts or pallet jacks matter, whether it should be two-way or four-way entry.
Condition
Say new, used or recycled. Grade A has few repairs, grade B has some repairs or mixed colors, and grade C has seen heavier use.
Quantity and Timing
Tell the supplier how many you need, whether the order repeats, and when you hope to have them. The supplier confirms what it can do.
Location
Give the city or area for pickup or delivery, and mention if the dock has a forklift, a ramp or limited access.
How Needs Differ
A short guide to what each type of business usually thinks about, and what to tell a supplier.
Warehousing and Distribution
Warehouses and distribution centers usually buy or replace pallets in volume, so the useful questions are about consistency. Decide whether you want one size and grade throughout, or whether a mix is fine for outbound loads that may not come back. Standard 48x40 GMA pallets are the common choice, but your customers or your racking may call for something else.
In your request, state the size, the grade, whether you want block or stringer pallets, and how many you use over a typical month. If you have used pallets to get rid of, say so. Partner suppliers may be able to quote pickup alongside a purchase, depending on the supplier.
Manufacturing
A manufacturer may ship finished goods on standard pallets and still need a custom size for something awkward, such as a machine part, a drum or an odd-shaped crate. Custom pallets are quoted case by case, so the more detail you provide about the product, the easier it is for a supplier to respond.
Include the product length, width and height, the weight, how it is loaded, and whether forklifts will lift from the sides or ends. Mention if you want the same pallet repeatedly, because a supplier may handle a repeat order differently from a one-time job.
Retail
Retail pallets are often seen by customers or store staff, so condition matters more than it does in a back warehouse. Cleaner, lightly repaired pallets or new ones are usually a better match, and some retailers or their suppliers set their own size and condition rules.
When you ask for a quote, say where the pallets will be used and whether appearance is a priority. If a retailer or customer gave you pallet requirements, include them as written so a partner supplier can tell you what it can offer.
Construction Supply
Building materials such as pavers, block, roofing or lumber are heavy, and the pallets carrying them may sit outdoors or be left at a jobsite. Many buyers choose sturdier pallets for these loads, and some choose lower-cost pallets they do not expect to get back.
Tell the supplier what the product is, roughly how much a loaded pallet weighs, whether pallets are stacked or racked, and if they will be left outside. Ask about block pallets or custom sizes for loads that do not fit a standard footprint.
Export Shipping
Solid wood pallets and crates used in international shipping generally need to be treated and stamped under ISPM 15. Heat treatment, which brings the wood to 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes, is the usual method and shows up as an HT mark. Methyl bromide treatment has been phased down in many places.
Ask partner suppliers for ISPM 15 stamped pallets and tell them where the cargo is going, since destination countries can have their own rules and you should check current requirements. Plastic pallets are another option some exporters ask about. The Port of Baltimore is one reason export pallet questions come up in this area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which types of businesses send pallet requests?
Requests come from warehouses, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, construction suppliers, exporters and many other businesses in the Baltimore area. We pass each request to partner suppliers, and availability depends on the supplier.
Do different businesses need different pallet sizes?
Often, yes. The 48x40 GMA pallet is the most widely used in North America, but 48x48, 42x42, 40x48 and metric sizes such as 1200x1000 are also common. Tell the supplier what size your racks, trucks or customers require.
What should a warehouse mention in a quote request?
Mention the size, whether you need new, used or recycled pallets, the grade you can accept, the quantity and how often you need them. Say whether your racking or conveyors need a specific pallet style.
Can I ask for plastic pallets?
You can. Plastic pallets are sometimes chosen for washdowns, repeated reuse or when wood is not wanted. Whether a partner supplier has them depends on the supplier, so say plastic in your request.
What do exporters need to ask for?
Ask the supplier for ISPM 15 stamped pallets. The stamp shows wood packaging was treated under an accredited program, usually heat treatment marked HT. Also confirm what the destination country expects.
How should I describe a heavy load?
Give the approximate weight per pallet, how the load is stacked, and whether pallets will sit in racking or be stacked on each other. The supplier can then suggest a suitable style, such as a block pallet.
Does my industry have special pallet rules?
Some customers and industries set their own pallet requirements. Check your current requirements and share them in your request, because we cannot confirm what applies to your business.
Which areas do requests come from?
We take requests from the Baltimore area, including Baltimore City and County, Towson, Dundalk, Essex, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Annapolis. Availability depends on partner suppliers.