Wood pallets are pallets built from lumber and wood components, and they are the most widely used pallet type in the United States.
Detailed Definition
Wood pallets are made from softwood, hardwood or both, assembled with nails or staples in stringer or block designs. Wood is renewable, repairable and recyclable: damaged pallets are commonly repaired, taken apart for parts, or ground into mulch, animal bedding or fuel. Pallets for international shipping must meet ISPM 15, usually through heat treatment. Engineered wood such as plywood and molded wood fiber is also used for pallet decks and blocks.
Softwood, hardwood and engineered wood
Softwood pallets, often southern yellow pine or western species, are lighter and nail easily. Hardwood pallets, often mixed species such as oak and maple, are heavier and resist wear. Block pallets may use solid wood, glued composite wood or wood-fiber blocks. Species, grade and moisture content all affect strength, weight and mold risk, so a specification should state them along with dimensions.
Wood compared with plastic and metal
Wood pallets are generally cheaper to buy, easy to repair and widely available in standard sizes. Plastic pallets resist moisture, are easier to wash and are consistent in weight, which suits closed loops and some food and pharmaceutical uses. Metal pallets serve very heavy or high-temperature applications. Wood absorbs moisture, can grow mold if stored wet and needs ISPM 15 treatment for export, while plastic and metal pallets fall outside ISPM 15.
What to specify when buying
- New or recycled, and the written grade definition you will accept.
- Footprint, entry type, deck coverage and fastener pattern.
- Rated load for floor, rack and stacking, ideally from design software or testing.
- Heat treatment and marking if pallets may be exported.
Authoritative Sources
- National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA): the US trade association representing wood pallet manufacturers, recyclers, and component producers, founded in 1947.
- US Forest Service (USFS): the federal agency that manages the National Forest System and reports on US lumber supply used in pallet production.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a wood pallet last?
There is no fixed service life. It depends on the design, the lumber, how pallets are handled, how heavy the loads are and whether they are repaired. Pallets in a controlled closed loop with careful handling last much longer than one-way export pallets that are dropped off and never seen again. Track damage and repair rates in your own operation to estimate useful life under your conditions.
Are wood pallets safe for food shipments?
Wood pallets are widely used to ship packaged food. Buyers usually require pallets that are clean, dry, free of mold, pests and odors, and free of protruding nails, and some specify new or heat-treated pallets. For exposed food or strict hygiene areas, plastic pallets are often chosen because they are easier to wash. FDA does not certify pallets; the food business is responsible for using equipment in sanitary condition.