Cardboard pallets are single-use pallets used primarily for export or one-way shipping.
Detailed Definition
Cardboard pallets, also called paper or corrugated pallets, are made from corrugated board, paper honeycomb, paper tubes or a combination. Because they are made of paper rather than raw wood, they are not wood packaging material under ISPM 15 and need no treatment or IPPC mark. They are light, which can help in air freight where chargeable weight matters, and they can usually go into paper recycling after use. Their main limits are lower load capacity than most wood pallets, sensitivity to moisture, and limited suitability for racking.
Common cardboard pallet constructions
Designs vary widely, so two products both called cardboard pallets can perform very differently. Common types include:
- Corrugated pallets with folded or laminated corrugated runners
- Honeycomb pallets with paper honeycomb decks and blocks, which are stiffer for their weight
- Paperboard decks on paper tube or solid paper block legs
- Coated or wax-treated versions for added moisture resistance
Ask for the rated capacity for your load type and handling equipment, and test with real product.
Where cardboard pallets fit and where they fail
They work best for light to moderate one-way loads: export shipments where avoiding ISPM 15 is helpful, air freight, retail display bases and clean product shipments. They struggle in wet or humid environments, in cold storage where condensation forms, and in operations with rough forklift handling, because tines can puncture or crush the structure. Many cannot be safely stored in pallet rack. Compare total cost, including damage risk, against presswood and plastic pallets, which are also ISPM 15 exempt.
Testing before switching from wood
Before replacing wood pallets with cardboard, run a trial with real loads through every handling step, including forklift and pallet jack moves, stacking, trailer transit and storage in actual humidity. Record any crushing, tine damage or deck sag, and confirm the receiving customer accepts paper pallets.
Authoritative Sources
- Material Handling Institute (MHI): the largest US trade association for material handling, logistics, and supply chain technologies.
- FAO ISPM-15 Standard (ISPM-15): the international phytosanitary standard for wood packaging used in international trade, published by the FAO.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cardboard pallets need an ISPM 15 stamp?
No. ISPM 15 applies to wood packaging material made of raw wood. A pallet made entirely of corrugated board, paper honeycomb or paper tubes is not wood packaging, so it needs no heat treatment or IPPC mark. If the pallet includes solid wood parts, such as wood blocks or runners, those parts bring it back under ISPM 15. Check the exact construction before shipping internationally.
Can cardboard pallets go into pallet rack?
Usually not, unless the manufacturer has rated the specific design for racking with your load and beam span. Most cardboard pallets are designed to be supported across their full bottom surface, such as on the floor, a trailer deck or a conveyor. When spanning rack beams, the deck can sag or collapse. If storage in rack is needed, add rack decking or choose a pallet type rated for racked loads.