Plastic pallet buying questions, answered

Where can you buy plastic pallets in bulk? From a supplier that orders by the trailer. We source new plastic pallets from makers and write the order by footprint, rating, resin and trailer count. See bulk plastic pallets for how a bulk order is written.

Who is the best plastic pallet supplier? The one whose model matches your dock. Check four things: the footprint, the three ratings, the resin and the documents. The supplier page lists what to ask any supplier, including us.

How many plastic pallets fit on a 53 ft truck? It depends on the model. One dealer gives 30 stacks of 48 x 40 pallets in a turned pattern on a 53 ft dry van. One maker lists 1,260 standard-duty nestables per trailer and another lists 540 rackable ones. Read how many fit on a truck.

Are plastic pallets exempt from ISPM 15? Yes. USDA APHIS lists plastic pallets among products not subject to its wood packaging regulation, so an export pallet needs no heat-treat mark. The ISPM 15 guide has the source.

Can plastic pallets be used for food? Many are used in food plants, but FDA does not approve pallet models. Ask the supplier for resin and colourant documentation. A product that touches the pallet directly may call for virgin resin. See food safe plastic pallets.

What documents should you ask a plastic pallet supplier for? The model sheet with static, dynamic and racking ratings, the resin and colourant documents, and a fire listing if your insurer or sprinkler design needs one.

Do plastic pallets need a fire rating? A listed and labelled pallet (FM 4996 or UL 2335) may be treated as wood for sprinkler design under the International Fire Code; an unlisted plastic pallet can raise the commodity class. The fire rating guide explains.

What is the difference between static, dynamic and racking load? Static is the load at rest on the bottom pallet of a stack. Dynamic is the load while it moves, and it is lower. Racking is the load across an open rack span, and it is usually the lowest. Only designs made for racking carry one. See the ratings guide.

Can you get plastic pallets in a custom colour? Makers offer colours, hot-stamped marks and RFID compatibility on some models, and recycled-content options. See custom plastic pallets.

What size is a standard plastic pallet? In North America the 48 x 40 in GMA pallet is the standard footprint. Nelson Company says just over half of the plastic pallets it lists are 48 x 40. The sizes hub covers sixteen footprints.

Ask it in the request. We answer the questions we can back with a maker's published figure, and we say plainly when none exists. That includes price, minimum order and lead time, which no source gives. The guides cover the questions that turn up most: supplier or manufacturer, wood to plastic, the three ratings, ISPM 15, food use, fire listings, trailer counts and options.

Some questions have no single answer, because they depend on a specific load, dock and receiver. Those are best put in the quote form with the ZIP code, the footprint and the weight, since the written reply can address your case instead of an average.