Why we buy back pallets
The US pallet market is a two-way flow. New pallets ship from mill-and-manufacturer to shipper, who ships product to receiver, who then has empty pallets that no longer serve them. Those empty pallets have market value - they can be refurbished and resold as Grade-A or Grade-B recycled pallets at 40-60% of new-build price, driving down total pallet cost for the whole supply chain.
United States Pallets runs a buyback program with 250+ pallet single-size minimum. We pick up at your yard, grade on-site, pay by check or ACH within 7 business days, and refurbish or resell the pallets to downstream buyers (automotive, grocery, retail, specialty industrial). The seller gets a market-rate price for pallets that would otherwise occupy yard space or get scrapped at zero recovery.
Mid-size and large pallet users (manufacturers, 3PL warehouses, distribution centers, construction yards, agricultural packhouses) typically accumulate several thousand pallets per month. Our buyback program converts that inventory to cash within a weekly or monthly scheduled pickup cycle.
What we buy (and what we do not)
We buy GMA 48x40 pallets exclusively, single-size per load. 250 pallet minimum per pickup. Pallets must be structurally sound - no broken stringers that compromise load-bearing. Cosmetic damage (deckboard replacement, companion-board repair) is fine - we grade on arrival and pay per grade.
What we do NOT buy: block pallets (unless specifically contracted), custom-size pallets (36x36, 42x42, 48x48, 60x40 - these have narrow resale markets), chemical-contaminated pallets (we require clean dry pallets - no spill residue, no mold), pallets with internal metal or non-wood fasteners that complicate recycling.
We also do not buy single-use pallets or pallets below 250-unit lot size - the pickup logistics do not economically work at smaller volumes.
Grading on arrival + pricing
Pallets are graded on arrival at our yard:
- Grade A: Structurally sound, cosmetically clean, original stringers, repair-ready. Price per pallet: $4-$7 depending on CME lumber index state
- Grade B: Structurally sound, cosmetic damage (companion-board repair, plug repair, deckboard replacement needed). Price per pallet: $2-$4
- Grade C (scrap): Structurally compromised, broken stringers, mold. Not priced per unit; we take at $0 and recycle lumber for other uses. Discuss on quote
Price per pallet moves with CME softwood lumber front-month futures: a 15% futures move translates to roughly 7-10% buyback-rate adjustment within 2-4 weeks. For standing weekly programs we lock cap-and-collar rates that smooth volatility.
Pickup logistics + payment
For 250-500 pallet lots: standard LTL pickup within 5-10 business days of contract signing. For 500-2,000 pallet lots: dedicated truck pickup within 5-10 business days. For 2,000+ pallets: flatbed or dedicated-trailer pickup within 10-15 business days.
Payment: we grade on arrival, provide a signed count-and-grade report, and pay by check or ACH within 7 business days of pickup completion. For standing weekly programs we offer net-15 pay cycles with monthly billing cycles.
For sellers with multiple pickup locations (3PL networks, multi-site distribution centers) we quote a program-rate contract with scheduled pickups across all sites. Program rates typically beat spot pickup pricing by 10-20%.
Who sells to us
- 3PL warehouses and distribution centers (empty pallet accumulation from receive flows)
- Manufacturers (receive flows with inbound pallets that do not match outbound spec)
- Retailers and grocery (receive flows from CPG brands)
- Construction yards and lumber retailers (pallet accumulation from inbound material shipments)
- Agricultural packhouses (seasonal pallet accumulation from field-pack shipping)
- Automotive 3PL and specialty industrial (returnable program pallets that fall out of the pool)
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum pallet quantity for buyback?
250 pallets single-size per pickup. Below 250, the pickup logistics do not economically work. For 250-500 pallet lots we use LTL; for 500+ we use dedicated truck pickup. For sellers with multiple locations we quote program-rate contracts for scheduled multi-site pickups.
How much do you pay per pallet?
Grade A GMA 48x40: $4-$7 per pallet depending on CME lumber index state. Grade B: $2-$4. Grade C (scrap): $0 - we take at no cost and recycle lumber. Rates move with CME softwood lumber front-month contract; standing programs lock cap-and-collar rates for predictability.
Do you buy block pallets or custom-size pallets?
Not typically - block pallets have narrower resale markets than GMA 48x40 stringer pallets, and custom-size pallets (36x36, 42x42, 48x48) are difficult to resell to downstream buyers. We can discuss specific programs on request if you have 1,000+ pallets of a specific non-GMA spec.
How long does payment take?
7 business days from pickup completion. We grade on arrival at our yard, generate a signed count-and-grade report, and pay by check (standard) or ACH (on request). For standing weekly programs we offer net-15 pay cycles with consolidated monthly billing.
Do you pick up at my yard or do I need to deliver?
We pick up at your yard. Standard LTL pickup for 250-500 pallet lots within 5-10 business days of contract signing. Dedicated truck for 500+ pallet lots. For sellers with their own freight capacity we quote a drop-ship rate (cheaper per pallet since we skip pickup logistics).
What is the typical pickup lead time?
5-10 business days for standard lots. 10-15 business days for 2,000+ pallet lots. For urgent clear-out (space emergency, lease transition) we expedite to 2-3 business days at a slight premium.
Can I sell contaminated or chemical-residue pallets?
No - we require clean dry pallets with no chemical spill residue, no mold, no significant staining. For chemically-contaminated pallets we recommend specialty disposal services; we can refer local contacts. For food-grade-contact pallets with light residue, we discuss case-by-case on photos.
Do I need to sort pallets by grade before pickup?
No - we grade on arrival at our yard. You can send mixed grades in one load. Our graders separate at receive, generate the per-grade count report, and pay per grade. For standing programs with high-volume consistent flow we work on grade thresholds.
What is cap-and-collar pricing for standing programs?
For sellers with consistent weekly volume (500+ pallets per week), we lock cap-and-collar buyback rates anchored to CME softwood lumber index. The cap-and-collar sets a maximum and minimum pass-through - so your per-pallet buyback cannot swing more than X% up or down within a 30 or 90 day window regardless of index moves. Predictable pricing both sides.
How do you handle the empty-pallet-recovery flow for 3PL networks?
For 3PL networks with multiple distribution centers we quote a program-rate contract with scheduled pickups across all sites, consolidated billing, and dedicated account management. Program rates typically beat spot pickup by 10-20%. Email a site list for a program quote.
Updated 2026-10-07