The GMA pallet is the dominant 48x40 inch US pallet specification originated by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
Detailed Definition
GMA pallets specify: 48x40 inch dimensions, 7 top deck boards, 5 bottom deck boards, 3 stringers with 9-inch fork notches, mixed hardwood or softwood construction. Required at major US retailer receiving (Walmart, Target, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc).
Authoritative Sources
- Consumer Brands Association (formerly GMA) (CBA): the trade association whose 48x40 inch pallet standard (the "GMA pallet") became the dominant US pallet specification.
- National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA): the US trade association representing wood pallet manufacturers, recyclers, and component producers, founded in 1947.
- Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA): the trade association representing the largest US retailers, whose member-driven pallet specifications define receiving requirements at distribution centers.
Related Glossary Terms
Does United States Pallets buy back used pallets in national?
Yes. We buy back used pallets from national collectors, recyclers, and warehouses - 250-pallet minimum per load, single-size only (no mixed-size loads). Fast ACH payment, typically same-day or net-7 depending on volume. Pickup arranged on standard outbound delivery routes.
Can national customers run a buyback program alongside their pallet purchases?
Yes. Backhaul logistics are coordinated on outbound delivery routes - empty or non-spec pallets get picked up on the return leg of new pallet deliveries. Per-pallet freight cost on the backhaul approaches zero for accounts running both new-pallet purchase + buyback simultaneously.
How fast does United States Pallets deliver to national, United States?
Same-day shipping in our Southeast/Mid-Atlantic core (FL, GA, AL, TN, MS, SC, NC, KY, VA) and scheduled weekly delivery elsewhere. Express options available for national rush orders. Quote response under 2 business hours, dispatch within hours of order confirmation.
What documentation accompanies pallet glossary loads?
BOL, packing list, grade certifications standard. Heat-treated loads add IPPC stamps and ISPM-15 documentation. Pharma-grade loads add batch records. Food-grade loads add FSMA Sanitary Transportation Rule certifications. All documentation ships electronically before delivery.
What's the minimum order quantity for pallet glossary?
50 pallets per order minimum on buy-side. Sell-side (buyback) minimum is 250 pallets per single-size load. Volume tiers kick in automatically as cumulative monthly volume increases - 500+/week accounts qualify for standing-order programs with reserved delivery slots.
