Used plastic pallets for export
Used plastic pallets for export are matched to the destination's footprint and to whether the pallet comes back. Tell us the lane and the load and we describe a lot that fits both.
- You give
- Destination footprint, load, return or not
- We give
- A written lot
- Treatment
- None needed for plastic
- Extra checks
- Clean, dry, whole
What we ask on an export request
- The destination footprint, in millimetres if you have it.
- The load: heavy drums, bags, cartons, or a mix.
- Whether the pallet comes back.
- Whether the load is stacked in transit, and how high.
- The container or truck the pallets load into.
- Anything the destination has said about packaging.
How the answers shape the lot
| Answer | Lot we describe | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Does not come back | Lighter used export pallets | No reason to pay for strength it will not use |
| Comes back | Multi-trip pallets of one maker | Uniform pallets are easier to count back |
| Stacked in transit | Pallets with a static rating | The bottom pallet carries the stack |
| Heavy single loads | Heavier pallets | Light pallets flex |
| Racked at destination | Rated rackable pallets | Light export pallets are generally not rated for racking |
Paperwork and what is not claimed
Plastic skips ISPM 15 treatment, so there is no treatment certificate to give. We do not provide customs documents, and we do not state anything about the destination's rules. We do tell you the footprint, the wear and any owner marks. Owner marks matter more abroad, since a pool pallet leaving the country is harder to retrieve.
- Footprint: measured
- Wear: written
- Marks: declared
- Customs: yours or your forwarder's
A short list before booking space
Before you book container space, settle four things: the footprint the consignee uses, whether the pallets come back, the weight of the lot against the freight plan, and whether any pallet carries a mark that could cause trouble at customs or at the receiving end. If any answer is unknown, ask. A container is a poor place to find out.
Documents at the border
A shipper should carry the packing list, the bill of lading and a note that the pallets are plastic. Some customs offices ask for confirmation that no wood is present, and a clear statement saves a delay. If pallets carry company marks, the receiving country may ask about ownership. The more specific your documents, the fewer questions arrive at the border.
Questions to put to any seller
- Where did these pallets work, and what did they carry?
- How were they sorted, and who walked the lot?
- Are any welded, riveted or fitted with replacement parts?
- Can the maker's plate be photographed on several pallets?
- Will the description be sent in writing before payment is discussed?
Planning around the seasons
- Cold months bring brittle resin, so handle gently and avoid sharp drops.
- Warm months soften decks, so shorten stacks and keep loads in shade.
- Harvest, holiday and promotion peaks use pallets faster, so order earlier.
- Wet seasons add weight in the ribs, so allow a drying day before indoor use.
- Plan returns and exports for the weeks when dock space is free.
Walk-around checklist
The same four stops for every lot, in order. Tick each as you go.
- 1Deck: clean and dry
- 2Corners: no chips
- 3Runners: whole runners
- 4Fork pockets: open pockets for destination forks
- Marks declared
Words used on this page
- Rackable
- Rated to sit on rack beams, with a stated racking load.
- Racking load
- Weight a pallet carries bridging an open span in unsupported racking. Often the lowest rating.
- Multi-trip pallet
- A pallet designed to be returned and reused many times.
- ISPM 15
- The international standard for treating wood packaging against pests. Plastic pallets are outside it.
- Euro pallet
- 800 x 1200 mm footprint.
What the sources say
- Plastic pallets weigh about 3 to 15 lb when light and up to 300 lb when heavy; a typical GMA wood pallet weighs about 37 lb. en.wikipedia.org
- Rehrig Pacific's 40 x 48 rackable pallet weighs 44.2 lb with a dynamic rating of 4,000 lb, static 10,000 lb and edge rack 2,000 lb. rehrigpacific.com
- The 800 x 1200 mm Euro footprint is the second most popular plastic pallet size worldwide. blog.containerexchanger.com
- HDPE is the most common resin in plastic pallets; PP is more rigid and the page recommends it for unsupported racking. nelsoncompany.com
How a request works
- Pick the footprint, then the grade you can live with.
- Say what the pallets will carry and how many you need.
- Read the written lot description that comes back.
- Agree the lot before anything moves.
The four grades, in a line each
- Like new. A few trips only. Clean, no cracks, no missing parts, deck and runners flat.
- Used and clean. Many trips, scuffs and colour variation, but whole and usable for general-purpose or closed-loop work.
- Repaired. A cracked or chipped part welded or swapped. Some designs use snap-lock parts for repair.
- Mixed lot. Mixed makers, colours and sizes sold by the truckload, sorted by footprint.
Questions people ask
Can used pallets go on a container?
Yes. Plastic is outside ISPM 15.
Do you arrange shipping?
How a lot reaches you is settled in the reply to your request. State your lane.
Which footprints for export?
Euro 1200 x 800, 1200 x 1000 and 48 x 40 are the usual starting points; see the export hub.
Ask for a lot
Pick a footprint and a grade. The reply describes a matched lot in writing.