What type of pallet is the cheapest?
Wood pallets are great when selecting a shipping pallet based on price, since they are considered to be the cheapest type of pallet.
Wood pallets are by far the most common type of pallet in use today. The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association have put together a guide to develop quality measures and establish uniform standards for wooden pallets across all manufacturers, repairers, distributors, and users.
- 1.Block Pallets. These pallets are known for their four-way entry, meaning they can be accessed by forklifts on all four sides. ...
- 2.Stringer Pallets. ...
- 3.Double-Face Pallet. ...
- 5.Solid Deck Pallet.
Plastic Pallet Disadvantages
In general, plastic pallets cost about 3 times more than wood pallets. Although a manufacturer can recoup that cost if they get their plastic pallets back for reuse, companies shipping overseas almost never get their pallets back.
They usually max out at about 1,500 pounds of weight. This means they're not suitable for very heavy items. Another major factor is the initial cost. Plastic pallets tend to be more expensive than wooden pallets.
In fact, a study completed by Virginia Tech and the USDA Forest Service found that 26% of all pallets used in North America are 48 x 40, making it the most common pallet size. Despite the GMA being renamed the CBA in 2019, the standard 48” x 40” pallet is commonly referred to as the GMA pallet.
The stringer pallet is the most commonly used pallet in the United States, with the most common size being 48 x 40". The Grocery Manufacturer Association (GMA) has created a standard 48 x 40 hardwood stringer pallet specification that is used widely for many consumer products.
If a forklift or hand truck can get under a pallet on all four sides, then it is a 4-way pallet. Block pallets use blocks to support the deck, rather than stringers. Block pallets are also 4-way pallets because the tines of a forklift or hand truck can enter the pallet on all four sides.
While most pallets are wooden, pallets can also be made of plastic, metal, paper, and recycled materials.
History of CHEP
CHEP, originally the Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool, was formed after World War 2 by the Australian government to manage millions of pallets as well as forklifts left behind by the U.S. military. In 1958 CHEP was sold to Brambles.
How do I choose the best pallets?
- Avoid the ones you see at grocery stores, as they are more prone to food spillage. ...
- Make sure the wood is in decent shape. ...
- Look at the nails used. ...
- Inspect it for gross residue, oil stains, or mold. ...
- Avoid the ones that have been sitting out in the rain for months.
The specs on an A-Grade are more consistent than on a B-Grade pallet and will never have any block repairs to the stringers. The overall appearance is also better as A-Grade pallets are likely to have had shipment fewer cycles than a B-Grade.

It is a common misconception that hardwood pallets are significantly stronger than softwood pallets and can reduce damage to pallets. In reality, hardwood pallets are only slightly stronger than softwood. Softwood boards are able to mimic higher density hardwood with thicker dimensions.
- Plastic Pallets. ...
- Metal Pallets. ...
- Wire Mesh Pallets. ...
- Corrugated Pallets.
Markings on Unsafe Pallets
Markings to look out for include MB, which indicates that the wood has undergone treatment with the toxic chemical methyl bromide. A pallet may also be unsafe if it has the letters EUR but not EPAL as well.
Lower price range | Upper price range | |
---|---|---|
New wooden pallets | $19 | $24 |
Used or reclaimed wooden pallets | $10 | $18 |
Export pallets | $10 | $28 |
Plastic pallets | $10 | $45 |
One of the biggest disadvantages to using treated pallets is the cost. The process adds more expense on top of the price of regular wood packaging. Not all shipping companies are able to provide heat treated pallets. You may have to do more research and look around for one that can provide this option.
This standard pallet weight can vary from 35 to 40 lbs, depending on the thickness of the wood. For example a 48 x 40 4way pallet with 5/8 wood weights roughly 40 lbs and a pallet with ½ in boards would be 35 lbs.
The typical lifespan of a wooden pallet ranges from 3-5 years, but plastic pallets have a durable design that can last for up to 10 years.
In North America, the CHEP standard size is 48×40-inch. More recently, the 24×40-inch half pallet was introduced. There is also a CHEP 48×20-inch pallet offered in Canada.
What are the two popular wood pallet types?
The two most common wood types used for making pallets are southern yellow pine (SYP) and oak.
Pallets that do not meet the standards for Grade A or B are considered Grade C. These pallets have poor appearances and many repairs. They may not be in good structural shape despite a number of repairs. Many manufacturers do not offer Grade C pallets because they are more likely to fail than other classifications.
Qty | Price |
---|---|
1 - 9 | $17.49 |
10 - 24 | $13.99 |
25 - 49 | $13.12 |
50 - 99 | $12.24 |
A Grade #2 or B Grade pallet has typical has had stringer damage that has been repaired by attaching an additional stringer alongside the damaged one. This way of repairing stringers is commonly referred to as a companion stringer, block stringer or double stringer.
CHEP pallets are made from 100% reusable or recycled materials. Our quality timber is sourced from a controlled selection of different wood types, primarily kiln-dried Southern Yellow Pine.
Hard Wood Pallets:
These pallets are sturdier than their soft wood counterparts, and are put to long-term use by warehouse operators. Unlike stringer pallets, they can typically be lifted by four sides rather than two, and are more expensive.
A skid is normally a single-deck timber, plastic or metal support frame for transit, which can be smaller or larger than the typical pallet dimensions. Both pallets and skids can be lifted by forklift trucks. Unfortunately the two names are sometimes used interchangeably.
One way pallet, like other pallets, is used for the transportation of goods and storage in the warehouse. Theoretically, the pallet is intended for one-time use when shipping goods. The one way pallet is available in various shapes and sizes since it is not standardised.
You can use this pallet dolly to easily transport pallets and their loads around work spaces. They are perfect for moving pallets around without the need for any expensive mechanical equipment. The dollies are ideal for use in removal companies, factories, warehouses, shops, and many more.
The H1 pallet from Q-Pall - also called a hygiene pallet - is made of plastic. This material is much more hygienic than wood. Wood is porous, which means wooden pallets make a nice nest for pests and insects. They also splinter, which is precisely what needs to be avoided. Plastic is not porous and does not splinter.
What is the price of wooden pallets?
The price of Wooden Pallets products is between ₹700 - ₹800 per Piece during Feb '22 - Jan '23. These are indicative values based on popular product prices.
Wood Pallets
Wood composes the most common type of pallet, as it is one of the cheapest and most easily customizable options. Pallet manufacturers build these pallets from different types of wood at different costs and with varying strengths.
Pine is frequently used in pallets because it is a clean product that can be kiln dried without causing any damage. This makes it suitable for shipping and storing food products and pharmaceuticals. Oak is a considerably stronger material; however, to farm and fell oak just for pallets would obviously be expensive.
It's not okay to buy, sell, exchange, trade or discard CHEP pallets. Pooled blue wood pallets are the property of CHEP and cannot be sold, wherever you find them.
While the cost may vary based on the amount of pallets you use and how long you hang on to a pallet, CHEP estimates the price at between $4.75 to $6.00 per trip.
In terms of pricing, CHEP bills based on usage, while PECO has a flat-rate pricing system. CHEP charges a one-time issue fee plus a rental rate. The rental rate depends on various factors, including the volume of your shipments plus the length of pallet rental.
Are Pallets Free At Lowes? Lowes gives free pallets to its customers. However, not all Lowes stores provide free pallets as some recycle them as part of their sustainability program. So, you have to ask the store in advance if they can provide you with some.
Wood Pallets are about 3 times less expensive than plastic pallets and at least 10 times more widely used. They hold more weight than plastic, can be used for weights between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds, easily repaired and reused. They are however not ideal for fragile items.
Since the moisture has been removed from heat treated pallets, they last longer than regular pallets. Standard pallets easily start to rot and decay from moisture and exposure to the elements. Heat treated pallets are more durable because they have been treated to better withstand the rigors of pallet use.
The GMA grading system for recycled pallets divides pallets into two general categories, grade A and grade B; a third categorization, grade C, exists but is rarely used, as pallets in this category are reaching the end of their useful life and may not be as sturdy or reliable as those in the other two categories.
How do you keep wooden pallets from rotting?
- Keep pallets off the ground.
- Ensure proper airflow.
- Rotate the stock.
- Move the pallets periodically (every few months)
Colored pallets
Red pallets: PECO (The Pallet Exchange Company from the USA) Red pallets: LPR (La Palette Rouge from Europe) Blue pallets: CHEP (Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool from Australia) Brown pallets: IPP (IPP Logipal from Europe)
In many cases, hardwoods and softwoods are both used for many of the same purposes. Generally, though, softwoods are cheaper and easier to work with. As such they make up the majority of all wood used in the world, with about 80% of timber being a softwood.
Softwood trees grow faster than hardwood trees, feeding timber mills and wood-products plants at a faster rate and thus keeping end-users' costs down. Softwoods are notoriously less expensive than hardwoods.
Limited durability: Due to its low density, pine may warp and splinter more easily, leaving behind shards of wood that can damage equipment and product. Lower weight capacity: More wood is generally used to build a pine pallet in order to make up for its lower density.
Lower price range | Upper price range | |
---|---|---|
New wooden pallets | $19 | $24 |
Used or reclaimed wooden pallets | $10 | $18 |
Export pallets | $10 | $28 |
Plastic pallets | $10 | $45 |
You can maximize your supply chain efficiency and performance with our CHEP pallets and containers. Our innovative design provides greater efficiency in pallet loading and unloading. In addition to a reduced risk of pallet failure and less product damage, our pallets are made from 100% reusable or recycled materials.
Wooden pallets are not only durable and easy to repair, but they are also cost-effective to purchase. It is no wonder why wood pallets are the most popular pallet choice on the market. You can purchase a standard 40-inch by 48-inch pallet in new condition for anywhere from roughly $11.25 to $12.50.
Qty | Price |
---|---|
1 - 9 | $17.49 |
10 - 24 | $13.99 |
25 - 49 | $13.12 |
50 - 99 | $12.24 |
How much then does participation cost? While the cost may vary based on the amount of pallets you use and how long you hang on to a pallet, CHEP estimates the price at between $4.75 to $6.00 per trip.
Will pallets rot in rain?
Do pallets rot? In the short-term, most wooden pallets can withstand weather conditions like rain and sun exposure. However, if pallets are stored outdoors for long periods of time, the wood will rot.
Pine is frequently used in pallets because it is a clean product that can be kiln dried without causing any damage. This makes it suitable for shipping and storing food products and pharmaceuticals. Oak is a considerably stronger material; however, to farm and fell oak just for pallets would obviously be expensive.
Wood-Eating Pests: Wooden pallets attract termites and wood boring beetles, both of which require special treatment from your pest control provider.
Grade A or #1 is the highest quality recycled pallets. These are products that are in excellent condition, with no stringer repairs and only minor discoloration. Many recyclers use subdivisions within the category to distinguish between pallets with a cleaner appearance, such as food grade or premium grade.
What are the CHEP pallet dimensions? The standard US pallet size is 48 x 40 inches. CHEP pallet height is 5.6 inches. Our wide range of CHEP pallets and containers can maximize your supply chain efficiency and performance.
Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional (CHEP) Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP)
A general purpose pallet that can be safely used for most applications in the distribution and transport chain. The CHEP Block Pallet has been designed using the Pallet Design System to carry 2,800 lbs in normal operating circumstances with a uniformly distributed load.
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