Pallet

What is a pallet?

A pallet is a flat transport structure used to increase the ease of handling, speed of loading/unloading, and protection of cargo during the transportation process.

There are two main kinds of pallets: stringer pallets and block pallets.

If you are shipping to an Amazon FBA warehouse, note that LTL shipments must be palletized, and Amazon will only accept wood pallets.

How do stringer and block pallets differ?

Stringer pallets use parallel boards under the deck, and forklifts typically enter from two sides. Block pallets use blocks between the deck boards, so forklifts and pallet jacks can usually enter from all four sides. Pallets are commonly made of wood, plastic or metal.

How do you choose a pallet?

Match the pallet to your cargo weight, your carrier's requirements and your destination. International shipments often need heat-treated wood to meet International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15), which govern wood packaging. Plan for stack height too, since carriers and warehouses typically set limits.

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