Know your pallets
A quick, plain-English reference to the specs that actually affect your cost, handling, and compliance.
Stringer Pallet
- Three parallel boards (stringers) form the frame.
- The classic GMA design — most U.S. freight runs on these.
- Notch the stringers and a forklift enters all four sides; a pallet jack still only two.
- Lower cost; easy to repair with companion stringers.
Block Pallet
- Nine solid blocks replace stringers for true four-way entry.
- Higher stability and durability — preferred for automation and pooling.
- Common on export loads and modern racking systems.
- Costs more, but carries and stacks more reliably.
2-Way Entry
- Forks enter from two opposite sides only.
- Solid (un-notched) stringers — simple and strong.
- Best where loads are always approached from the same direction.
4-Way Entry
- Forks or jacks enter from all four sides.
- Notched stringers or block construction make it possible.
- Faster handling in tight docks and busy warehouses.
Highest-quality recycled. No stringer repairs, clean, dry, and free of contaminants to food-grade standards. Used wherever the load is seen by a customer or has to pass a retailer's receiving spec.
Value workhorse. Often worn or discolored, with one or two repaired or companion stringers and block/plug repairs. Very popular thanks to a lower cost than Grade A.
Heavily reworked. Multiple repairs, inconsistent deck boards, and several companion stringers. Generally not accepted by most companies — we'll steer you away from these.
"GMA" describes the size & design. The grade describes the condition — and grade is what drives the price.
If you ship internationally, your wood packaging must meet ISPM-15 — the global standard set by the IPPC to stop pests from crossing borders. The most common path is heat treatment (HT).
- Debark & prep
Bark is removed so pests can't re-infest the lumber before treatment.
- Heat to core
The wood's core is held at a minimum of 56°C (132.8°F) for at least 30 continuous minutes, killing insects, larvae, and fungi.
- Stamp & certify
A certified facility brands the IPPC "wheat" mark with the country code, facility number, and the HT treatment code.
- Repairs matter
Replace too much wood and the pallet must be re-treated and re-stamped. Any wood used for repair must already be HT-marked.
ANATOMY OF AN ISPM-15 "WHEAT" STAMP
Hardwood
- Usually oak (also maple, ash, poplar) — dense, strong, and built to be reused many times over.
- Highest load capacity — ideal for heavy machinery, block pallets, and closed-loop pooling.
- Heavier, so it adds shipping weight — and typically costs more per pallet.
- Holds moisture longer; needs proper drying or heat-treatment before export.
Softwood
- Usually pine — SPF (spruce/pine/fir) — noticeably lighter and lower in cost.
- Great for new custom builds, one-way shipments, and everyday lighter loads.
- Dries fast and heat-treats easily for ISPM-15 export compliance.
- Slightly less durable under heavy, repeated use than hardwood.
Most operations mix both — hardwood where strength and reuse matter, softwood where weight and cost do. Not sure which fits your load? We'll spec it for you.
Still have questions?
Tell us what you're shipping and we'll recommend the right construction, entry, grade, and treatment.