Metal pallets (steel or aluminum) serve heavy-duty industrial applications.
Detailed Definition
Metal pallets are made of steel or aluminum, usually welded or bolted from formed sections. They are used where loads are heavy, parts are dense or sharp, wood is not allowed, or a pallet must last through many trips in a closed loop, such as automotive and heavy manufacturing. Steel is strong and stiff but heavy, and it needs galvanizing or paint to resist rust. Aluminum is much lighter for its size and resists corrosion but costs more. Metal pallets are not wood packaging, so ISPM 15 treatment and marking does not apply to them.
Steel versus aluminum
Steel pallets suit very heavy or impact-prone loads, such as machined parts, castings, drums and dies. They can be built with integral containers, posts or stacking frames. Their weight increases handling effort and freight cost. Aluminum pallets are favored where weight matters, such as air cargo and some clean or sanitary environments, and they do not rust, though they can dent more easily than steel.
Both can be washed and sanitized, which suits some food and pharmaceutical uses, but welds, seams and coatings should be checked for areas that trap dirt.
What to check before switching to metal
- Fork entry and compatibility with pallet jacks, conveyors and automated systems built around wood pallets.
- Slipperiness: smooth metal decks may need friction coatings or load restraint.
- Rack compatibility, including how the pallet bears on beams.
- Return logistics: metal pallets usually only make economic sense if they come back.
- Total cost of ownership over expected trips rather than unit price alone.
Compare with plastic pallets, which offer some of the same durability and cleanability at lower weight, and with wood pallets for one-way shipments.
Authoritative Sources
- Material Handling Institute (MHI): the largest US trade association for material handling, logistics, and supply chain technologies.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Do metal pallets need ISPM 15 heat treatment for export?
No. ISPM 15 applies to wood packaging material made from raw wood. Steel, aluminum and plastic pallets are outside its scope, so they do not need heat treatment or an IPPC mark. Importing countries can still inspect cargo, and any wooden dunnage or blocking used with the metal pallet would need to comply. Check the destination country's requirements for any other packaging rules.
When is a metal pallet worth the higher cost?
Metal pallets tend to pay off when loads are very heavy or damaging to wood, when the pallet travels in a controlled closed loop and comes back, or when cleanliness or fire and pest concerns rule out wood. If pallets leave your control and rarely return, the higher purchase price is usually hard to recover. Model the number of trips, loss rate, repair cost and freight weight before deciding.