A pallet built to the Grocery Manufacturers Association style specification: 48 x 40 inches, three notched stringers and partial four-way entry, widely accepted at US grocery and retail receiving.
Detailed Definition
A GMA spec pallet follows the 48 x 40 inch, three-stringer design associated with the Grocery Manufacturers Association, now the Consumer Brands Association. Notched stringers give partial four-way entry for forklifts. Weight is not fixed by the specification and varies with lumber species, moisture content, board thickness and whether the pallet is new or recycled. The term is often used interchangeably with GMA pallet.
Why spec pallets matter at receiving
Distribution centers design their racks, conveyors, pallet jacks and dock processes around a known pallet. A pallet that is the right size but built differently, for example a two-way block pallet or one with missing bottom boards, can jam conveyors or sit badly on rack beams. That is why many receivers ask for a spec pallet rather than any 48 x 40.
The specification describes size and construction, not a load rating. If you need a rated capacity for racking or heavy loads, ask for a design analysis or test results for the exact pallet being supplied.
Inspecting incoming GMA spec pallets
- Measure: 48 in. along the stringers, 40 in. along the deck boards.
- Count stringers and check that notches are present and not cracked through.
- Look for broken, missing or loose deck boards, especially the lead boards at each end.
- Check for protruding nails that can damage cartons.
- If exporting, look for a legible ISPM-15 mark on two opposite sides.
Weight is a useful buying check too. Ask the supplier for a typical weight range for the pallet you are buying, since a much lighter pallet usually means thinner boards or a different species.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a GMA spec pallet weigh?
There is no fixed weight in the specification. Weight depends on the wood species, how wet the lumber is, the thickness of boards and stringers, and whether the pallet has been repaired. Hardwood pallets built from green lumber are heavier than dry softwood pallets of the same design. If weight matters for freight or manual handling, ask the supplier to weigh a sample of the exact pallet you will buy.
Can a block pallet be a GMA spec pallet?
Usually not. In common usage a GMA spec pallet means a stringer pallet with three notched stringers. A 48 x 40 in. block pallet, such as many pool pallets, has the same footprint and true four-way entry but a different construction. Some receivers accept both, so the deciding factor is what the receiving customer's specification allows, not the footprint alone.