Pallet Industry Glossary
A comprehensive reference of pallet industry terminology, standards, and acronyms. Bookmark this page — it's the most complete pallet glossary you'll find.
Whether you're new to the pallet industry or a seasoned professional, this glossary covers the terms you'll encounter when buying, selling, recycling, and shipping pallets. Terms are listed alphabetically.
2-Way Entry
A pallet that can be accessed by a forklift or pallet jack from two opposite sides only. Most stringer pallets without notches are 2-way entry.
4-Way Entry
A pallet that can be accessed by a forklift from all four sides. Block pallets provide true 4-way entry. Stringer pallets can be notched for partial 4-way access.
Airfreight Pallet
A Unit Load Device (ULD) pallet designed specifically for air cargo. Constructed from lightweight aluminum or composite materials and regulated by IATA standards. Sized to fit aircraft contours and locking systems.
AS/RS
Automated Storage and Retrieval System. Robotic warehouse systems that store and retrieve palletized loads automatically. Require precise pallet dimensions and consistent quality.
Biodegradable Pallet
A pallet made from compressed agricultural fibers, molded pulp, or other organic materials designed to decompose naturally. Used where disposal cost or environmental impact is a primary concern.
Block Pallet
A pallet constructed using solid wood blocks between the top and bottom deck boards. Provides true four-way forklift entry and greater structural rigidity than stringer pallets. The European standard (EUR/EPAL) is a block pallet.
Board Foot
A unit of volume for lumber equal to 144 cubic inches (12" × 12" × 1"). A standard 48×40 pallet contains approximately 10-12 board feet of lumber.
Cant
A rough-cut log slab used as the starting material to produce pallet lumber. Cants are sawn from logs and then further processed into stringer boards and deck boards at the mill.
Chamfered
A beveled edge on pallet deck boards that facilitates forklift entry and reduces board damage. Common on higher-grade pallets and those used in automated systems.
Closed-Loop System
A pallet management approach where pallets circulate between a defined set of partners and are returned to the origin. Maximizes reuse and minimizes loss. Opposite of open-loop.
Combo Pallet
A pallet with integrated collar or container features that combine the functions of a pallet and a bin or box into a single unit. Reduces the need for separate packaging components.
Core Pallet
An unrepaired used pallet that serves as the base for recycling. Cores are sorted by size, type, and repairable condition.
Corrugated Pallet
A pallet made from layered corrugated cardboard. Lightweight, fully recyclable, and exempt from ISPM 15 regulations. Ideal for air freight, retail displays, and single-use export shipments.
CO₂ Equivalent (CO₂e)
A standard measure for comparing the warming effect of different greenhouse gases. Used to quantify the environmental impact of pallet recycling vs. new production.
Cross-Docking
A warehouse strategy where goods transfer directly from inbound to outbound shipping without being placed into storage. Pallet standardization is critical for cross-docking efficiency, as mismatched sizes cause delays.
Deck Board
The horizontal boards that form the top (and sometimes bottom) surface of a pallet. Products are placed on the top deck boards. Bottom deck boards provide forklift contact surface.
Deflection
The amount a pallet bends under load, measured in inches at the center span. Excessive deflection can cause product damage, racking failures, and automated system jams. Industry standards typically allow no more than 1-2% of span length.
Diaphragm Fumigation
An outdated pest treatment method using enclosed gas chambers to fumigate wood packaging materials. Largely replaced by heat treatment (HT) due to environmental concerns over chemical fumigants.
Double-Face Pallet
A pallet with both top and bottom deck boards. Can be non-reversible (one designated top) or reversible (either side can face up). Bottom deck boards add stability, weight distribution, and conveyor compatibility.
Dunnage
Loose packing materials used to protect cargo during shipping. In the pallet context, dunnage refers to scrap wood pieces used to brace and secure loads. Subject to ISPM 15 if used in international shipments.
EPAL Pallet
European Pallet Association licensed pallet. The 1200×800mm block pallet that is the standard for European logistics. Managed through a pool system with quality controls and tracking.
EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility)
Legislation requiring producers to take financial responsibility for the end-of-life management of their packaging, including pallets. Growing in adoption worldwide.
ESG
Environmental, Social, and Governance. A framework for measuring corporate sustainability performance. Pallet recycling metrics contribute to the Environmental component of ESG reporting.
Euro Pallet
The 1200×800mm standardized pallet used throughout European logistics. See EPAL Pallet. Recognized by its distinctive block construction, chamfered edges, and branded corner markings.
Flush Pallet
A pallet where the deck boards are even with the edges of the stringers or blocks. No overhang. Preferred in automated systems and tight-fitting racking.
Fork Entry
The opening between deck boards or beneath the top deck where forklift tines are inserted to lift the pallet. Fork entry height and width must accommodate standard tine dimensions for safe handling.
FSMA
Food Safety Modernization Act. FDA legislation requiring preventive controls throughout the food supply chain, including packaging materials like pallets.
GMA Pallet
Grocery Manufacturers Association standard pallet. Dimensions: 48" × 40". The most common pallet size in North America, accounting for approximately 30% of all pallets in circulation.
Grade A
Highest quality recycled pallet. Structurally sound, dimensionally accurate, and cosmetically clean. Minimal or no visible repairs or wear. Suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and retail-facing applications.
Grade B
Mid-range recycled pallet. Structurally sound and dimensionally accurate with moderate cosmetic wear — discoloration, minor surface marks, or small repaired areas. The value option for general warehousing.
Grade C
Economy recycled pallet. Meets minimum structural requirements but shows significant wear, multiple repairs, or weathering. Suitable for one-way shipping and budget applications.
Grade D
Pallet that does not meet structural requirements for reuse. Routed to recycling for material recovery — dismantling, grinding, or composting.
Grading
The process of inspecting and classifying used pallets by structural condition and cosmetic appearance. Graded pallets (A through D) allow buyers to select the right quality level for their application and budget.
Half Pallet
A smaller format pallet, typically 800×600mm or 24×20 inches. Commonly used for retail display, point-of-sale merchandising, and smaller shipments. Two half pallets fit the footprint of one standard Euro pallet.
Hardwood
Wood from deciduous trees (oak, maple, birch). Denser and stronger than softwood. Used in pallets requiring high load ratings or impact resistance. More expensive than softwood.
Hardwood vs Softwood Mix
A pallet construction strategy that uses both wood types to optimize performance and cost — hardwood for high-stress areas like stringers and lead boards, softwood for interior deck boards where strength demands are lower.
Heat Treatment (HT)
ISPM 15-approved pest treatment method. The wood core temperature is raised to 56°C (133°F) for at least 30 minutes, killing insects and larvae without chemicals. Stamped with HT code on IPPC mark.
IPPC Mark
International Plant Protection Convention stamp applied to ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging. Contains country code, producer number, and treatment code. Required on all wood packaging in international trade.
ISPM 15
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. The global regulation requiring wood packaging materials used in international trade to be heat-treated or fumigated to prevent pest spread.
Kiln-Dried (KD)
Lumber that has been dried in a kiln to reduce moisture content, typically to 19% or below. Kiln drying reduces warping and mold risk but is not the same as ISPM 15 heat treatment — KD lumber still requires a separate HT cycle for export compliance.
Lead Board
The outermost deck board on each side of the pallet. Lead boards take the most impact from forklift entry and are the most frequently replaced component in pallet repair.
Load Bearing Surface
The total area of deck boards in contact with the product sitting on the pallet. Wider and more numerous deck boards increase the load bearing surface, distributing weight more evenly and reducing product damage.
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Shipping method where multiple shippers share trailer space. Pallet weight directly affects LTL costs, making pallet selection an important cost factor.
Methyl Bromide (MB)
Chemical fumigant used to kill pests in wood packaging. An ozone-depleting substance being phased out under the Montreal Protocol. Many countries have banned its use. Heat treatment is the preferred alternative.
Moisture Content (MC)
The percentage of water in wood by weight. Ideal moisture content for pallets is 19-25%. Excess moisture causes mold growth, increased shipping weight, and weakened structural integrity. Measured with pin-type or pinless moisture meters.
Mulch
Shredded or chipped wood material used for landscaping. A common end product of pallet recycling — pallets beyond repair are ground into mulch, diverting wood from landfills.
Nestable Pallet
A pallet designed to stack inside others when empty, reducing storage space requirements. Common in plastic pallet designs. Useful for return logistics when empty pallets must be transported.
Notched Stringer
A stringer pallet with cutouts (notches) in the stringers that allow partial four-way forklift entry. Provides more access points than standard two-way stringers at lower cost than block pallets.
NWPCA
National Wooden Pallet & Container Association. The US trade association representing the wood packaging industry. Provides industry standards, advocacy, and market data.
Open-Loop System
A pallet system where pallets are not tracked or returned to the origin. Common in one-way shipping. Pallets may be reused, recycled, or discarded by the recipient.
Overhang
The amount that deck boards extend past the stringers or blocks of a pallet, creating "wings." Overhang provides additional deck surface but can interfere with racking systems and automated handling equipment.
Pallet Collar
A hinged wooden frame placed on top of a pallet to create a bin or box. Collars can be stacked multiple layers high and folded flat when not in use. A reusable alternative to corrugated boxes.
Pallet Exchange
A program where a business trades used pallets for refurbished ones on a recurring basis. Eliminates disposal costs and ensures consistent pallet supply.
Pallet Footprint
The floor area occupied by a pallet, defined by its length and width dimensions. Critical for warehouse layout planning, racking configuration, and truck/container load optimization.
Pallet Jack
Manual or powered ground-level handling equipment used to lift and move pallets. Can only enter from two sides (front/back). Pallet jack compatibility requires adequate fork entry openings.
Pallet Pool
A shared pallet system managed by a third party (like CHEP or PECO). Pallets circulate among multiple companies and are returned to the pool operator for maintenance and redistribution.
Pressure-Treated
Wood that has been chemically treated with preservatives (such as ACQ or CCA) for outdoor or ground-contact use. Pressure-treated pallets resist rot and insects but are heavier, more expensive, and may not be recyclable through standard channels.
Racking
Warehouse storage structures that hold palletized loads above floor level. Pallet dimensions must match racking specifications — undersized pallets can fall through, oversized pallets won't fit.
Reversible Pallet
A double-face pallet where either side can serve as the top loading surface. Both faces are interchangeable in construction, providing extended service life since the pallet can be flipped when one side shows wear.
Softwood
Wood from coniferous trees (pine, spruce, fir). Lighter and less expensive than hardwood. Adequate for most pallet applications under 2,500 lbs. The most common material in US pallet production.
Stretch Wrap
Polyethylene film used to secure loads to pallets. Applied by hand or machine, stretch wrap unitizes products on the pallet to prevent shifting during transit. Available in various gauges and pre-stretch ratios.
Stringer
The long, continuous structural member running between the top and bottom deck boards of a stringer pallet. Typically 2×4 or 2×6 lumber. The primary load-bearing element of the pallet.
Stringer Pallet
A pallet constructed using long boards (stringers) as the main structural support between deck boards. The dominant pallet design in North America. Lighter and cheaper than block pallets.
SWL (Safe Working Load)
The maximum weight a pallet can safely support during normal use, accounting for dynamic forces from handling and transport. SWL is typically lower than the static load capacity and should never be exceeded.
Tare Weight
The weight of the empty pallet itself, excluding any cargo. Important for LTL shipping cost calculations, weight-limited loads, and compliance with vehicle weight regulations. A standard GMA pallet weighs 35-50 lbs.
Tipping Fee
The charge levied by a landfill for accepting waste materials, typically priced per ton. California tipping fees for wood waste average $45-65/ton, making recycling significantly more economical.
Unit Load
The combined weight and dimensions of a pallet plus its cargo, treated as a single handling unit. Proper unit load design maximizes warehouse efficiency and minimizes product damage during transit.
USDA-APHIS
United States Department of Agriculture — Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The federal agency that enforces ISPM 15 regulations in the US, accrediting treatment facilities and inspecting wood packaging at ports of entry.
Waste Diversion Rate
The percentage of incoming material that is recycled, repurposed, or otherwise kept out of landfills. Anaheim Eco Pallets maintains a 98% waste diversion rate.
Wing Pallet
A pallet where the deck boards extend beyond the stringers or blocks, creating an overhang (wings). Provides more deck surface area but may not be compatible with certain racking and automated systems.
Did You Know?
Surprising facts about the pallet industry that put the scale and impact of pallets into perspective.
~2 Billion
The US has approximately 2 billion pallets in circulation at any given time — enough to build a wall from Earth to the Moon and back.
6-8 Reuses
A single pallet is reused an average of 6-8 times before requiring repair, making wood pallets one of the most recycled consumer products.
93% Wood
93% of pallets in the United States are made of wood. Plastic, metal, and composite pallets make up the remaining 7%.
40% of Hardwood
Pallets account for approximately 40% of all hardwood lumber produced in the US, making the pallet industry the single largest consumer of hardwood.
1,500+ Miles
The average GMA pallet travels over 1,500 miles in its lifetime, passing through multiple warehouses, trucks, and distribution centers.
11.5 lbs CO₂ Saved
A recycled pallet prevents approximately 11.5 lbs of CO₂ emissions compared to manufacturing a new pallet from virgin lumber.
Missing a Term?
If there's a pallet industry term you'd like us to add, email us at info@anaheimecopallets.com. We update this glossary regularly.
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