Stringer
The board on edge separating the decks. 1.5 × 3.5 in nominal.
Fails at the notch shoulder, running with the grain.
Start here
The decision in four questions
Almost every pallet specification resolves from these. Answer them and the catalogue narrows to one or two options.
- 01
Does it come back?
One-way freight favours recycled wood at the lowest adequate grade. Closed loops justify block construction and, occasionally, plastic.
- 02
Does a machine handle it?
Automated conveyance needs ±0.25 in tolerance, which means new wood or plastic — not recycled.
- 03
Does it cross a border?
Then it needs ISPM-15 heat treatment and an IPPC mark, whatever else you choose.
- 04
Does it get washed?
If yes, the answer is plastic and the conversation is over.
Every illustration on this site is drawn geometry, not photography. It loads instantly, scales to any screen and shows the construction rather than a warehouse.
Compare
The whole catalogue on one line each
Indicative figures for a 48x40 equivalent. Follow any row for the full specification.
| Type | Typical cost | Dynamic load | Best for | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recycled wood | $8–$16 | 2,500–2,800 lb | General freight, storage, one-way | 24–72 h |
| New wood | $22–$34 | 2,800–3,000 lb | Automation, display, documented spec | 5–12 days |
| Heat treated | +$1.10–$1.90 | Same as base | Any international shipment | +1 day |
| Stringer | Baseline | 2,500–3,000 lb | Forklift-only operations | 24–72 h |
| Block | +15–25% | 2,500–3,300 lb | Jacks from all sides, closed loops | 2–7 days |
| Plastic | $75–$160 | 2,000–5,500 lb | Wash-down, cleanroom, high-trip loops | 5–15 days |
| Custom build | +15–40% | To spec | Odd geometry, heavy point loads | 8–14 days |
| Crates & boxes | Per job | To 20,000 lb | Machinery, export, fragile | 3–10 days |
Nine families
Pick a product
Core product
Recycled wood pallets that outlast the second-hand reputation
Recycled wood pallets in Grade A, B and C. Hand-graded, repaired to spec, and 55–70% cheaper than new. Nationwide supply from Pallet Supply USA.
Specs & pricingBuilt to order
New wood pallets
New wood pallets built to your spec in SYP, mixed hardwood or kiln-dried stock. GMA standard or custom, heat treated on request, nationwide delivery.
Specs & pricingExport compliance
Heat treated pallets that clear customs the first time
ISPM-15 heat treated pallets stamped with the IPPC mark. 56°C core for 30 minutes, treated on site, compliant for export to 180+ countries.
Specs & pricingConstruction type
Stringer pallets
Stringer pallets in 2-way and partial 4-way notched builds. Lighter and cheaper than block pallets, and the backbone of US freight.
Specs & pricingConstruction type
Block pallets
Block pallets with genuine four-way forklift and pallet jack access. Stronger, more durable and the standard for closed-loop and export programmes.
Specs & pricingAlternative material
Plastic pallets
New and reconditioned plastic pallets in HDPE and PP. Hygienic, dimensionally stable and recyclable. Nestable, rackable and export models.
Specs & pricingEngineered build
Custom pallets designed around the load
Custom pallets designed around your product, rack and container. Non-standard footprints, heavy-duty builds and drawing approval before we cut.
Specs & pricingBeyond the pallet
Crates
Wooden crates, cleated plywood boxes and heavy skids built for machinery, export and one-way freight. ISPM-15 treated and stamped on request.
Specs & pricingAdd-ons
The cheap parts that stop expensive damage claims
Pallet collars, top caps, runners, slip sheets, corner boards and edge protectors. The cheap parts that stop expensive damage claims.
Specs & pricingStill unsure
Send us the load, not the part number.
Weight, dimensions, how it is handled and whether it comes back. That is enough for us to specify it properly.
Anatomy
The parts, and which ones fail
Almost every conversation about a pallet is really about one of these eight components. Knowing which is which is worth money at quote stage.
Notch
The 9 × 1.5 in cut-out allowing side fork entry.
Structurally the worst place to remove material. First thing a grader checks.
Lead board
The outermost top deck board at each end.
Takes the fork strikes. The most commonly replaced part.
Deck board
The interior top and bottom boards, 0.625 in typical.
Spans 40 in when racked the wrong way round. Thin for the job.
Fastener
Helical drive screw as standard, ~78 per pallet.
Deck separation from smooth-shank nails, not board breakage.
Block
One of nine solid blocks on a block pallet.
Replaced individually without disturbing the deck.
Companion stringer
A second stringer fitted alongside a cracked one.
Not a failure — a repair. Adds weight, drops the grade.
Wing
Deck boards overhanging the stringers.
Adds strap surface and edge-rack support.
Capacity across the catalogue
What each option actually carries
Three ratings, none interchangeable. Racked is always lowest and it is the one that decides whether a load comes down on somebody.
| Option | Static | Dynamic | Racked |
|---|---|---|---|
| New hardwood 48x40 | 7,500 lb | 3,000 lb | 2,800 lb |
| New SYP 48x40 | 6,500 lb | 2,800 lb | 2,200 lb |
| Grade A recycled 48x40 | 6,000 lb | 2,600 lb | 2,000 lb |
| Grade B recycled 48x40 | 5,000 lb | 2,200 lb | 1,500 lb |
| Grade C recycled 48x40 | 3,500 lb | 1,700 lb | Do not rack |
| Block pallet 48x40 | 7,000 lb | 3,000 lb | 3,000 lb |
| Euro pallet EUR-1 | 8,800 lb | 3,300 lb | 2,200 lb |
| Rackable HDPE plastic | 30,000 lb | 5,000 lb | 2,800 lb |
| Heavy custom build | To 8,000 lb | To 3,500 lb | To 3,200 lb |
Materials
Wood, plastic, or neither
| Measure | Recycled wood | Plastic |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $11–$16 | $75–$160 |
| Service trips | 5–7 (10+ repaired) | 30–100+ |
| Repairable | Yes, board by board | No |
| Wash-down | Poor | Excellent |
| ISPM-15 required | Yes | No |
| Fire load | High | Higher |
| Manufacturing CO₂e | 0.4–1.6 kg | 45–90 kg |
| Break-even | — | 25–40 round trips |
And a third option people forget: no pallet at all. A slip sheet is 0.03 in thick against a 5 in deck, costs $0.80–$2.40, and needs a push-pull attachment at both ends of the lane.
Questions
What buyers ask before choosing
What type of pallet do most businesses need?
A recycled 48x40 GMA stringer pallet in Grade A or B covers the overwhelming majority of domestic freight in North America. Move away from it only when automation, hygiene regulation, export geometry or an unusual load forces you to.
What is the difference between a stringer and a block pallet?
A stringer pallet uses three boards on edge to separate the decks and gives four-way forklift access only if those stringers are notched. A block pallet uses nine solid blocks and gives genuine four-way access for both forklifts and pallet jacks, at 15–25% more cost.
Should I buy wood or plastic?
Wood, unless your loop is genuinely closed and completes 25–40 round trips, or hygiene regulation requires wash-down. Those are the only two conditions under which plastic reliably pays back.
Do you sell single pallets?
Yard pickup starts at 25 units. Delivered orders start at a trailer, though we can often add smaller quantities to an existing route in your area.
Can you help specify a pallet if we do not know what we need?
That is the normal starting point. Send the product weight, the footprint, how it is handled and whether it goes into racking or a container. Those four answers settle the specification most of the time, and we will tell you when a standard 48x40 is the right answer rather than selling a custom build.