2026 industry-typical pricing for new GMA, recycled, ISPM-15, block, and food-grade pallets across all 50 states.
National Pallet Price Benchmark (as of July 2026)
As of July 2026, the national benchmark for a Grade A 48x40 pallet sits near $9.04, the Q1 2026 average across 396 verified US suppliers, with a $7.91 median and a state range of $4.62 (Michigan) to $24.00 (Rhode Island). That is up about 54 percent since 2023. The USP spot ranges below track this benchmark, adjusted for grade, volume, and delivery lane.
| Pallet | Typical price (per unit) | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Recycled Grade A 48x40 | $7-11 (USP spot) | $9.04 national avg / $7.91 median, Q1 2026 index |
| New GMA 48x40 | $11-18 (USP spot) | New softwood build, reflects lumber index |
| Recycled vs new | 30-60% below new | Grade and repair condition dependent |
Driver note: softwood lumber traded near $615 per thousand board feet in early July 2026, easing from a late-June high. A 10 percent Section 232 tariff on softwood has been in force since October 2025, with an additional 10 percent taking effect in August 2026; pallet-grade lumber is not yet specifically tariffed, but the Commerce Department review due October 1, 2026 could extend it. Firm new-build lumber keeps recycled 48x40 stock the value play for volume buyers. Figures are market ranges as of July 2026, not quotes.
Sources: 2026 Used Pallet Pricing Report (usedpalletrecycling.com, Q1 2026, 396 suppliers); TradingEconomics / US Section 232 tariff notices, July 2026.
Recycled 48x40 Pallet Prices by US Region (as of July 2026)
Pallet pricing is regional because pallets do not ship economically over long distances. The bands below describe typical recycled Grade A 48x40 pricing by region, derived from the Q1 2026 national index ($9.04 average, $7.91 median across 396 verified US suppliers) and the observed state spread of $4.62 (Michigan, national floor) to $24.00 (Rhode Island, national high). They are directional market bands, not firm quotes; ask for a lane-specific number.
| Region | Recycled Grade A 48x40 | vs. national avg | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast (ME to PA/NJ) | $9-16 (RI outlier to $24) | above (highest) | Dense demand, freight-constrained supply; Rhode Island is the national high |
| West / Pacific (CA, WA, OR, NV, AZ) | $9-14 | above | California port and distribution demand, long inbound lumber lanes |
| Midwest (OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA, MO) | $5-9 | below (lowest) | Deep recycling supply in the manufacturing core; Michigan is the national floor |
| Southeast (FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, AL) | $6-10 | near median | Fast-growing distribution demand tracking the national median |
| South-Central (TX, OK, LA, AR, KS) | $6-11 | near median | Large freight lanes with oil, ag, and border-trade swing |
Read the bands as recycled Grade A 48x40; new GMA runs $11-18 and lower grades (B, core, broken) run below these ranges. For the national methodology and monthly index, see the USP Pallet Price Index. Figures are directional market bands as of July 2026, derived from the cited national index and state spread, not firm quotes.
Pallet Price Trend, 2021 to 2026
Are pallet prices going up or down? Recycled Grade A 48x40 prices peaked during the 2021 to 2022 lumber shortage, then corrected as softwood lumber normalized. In 2026 they sit roughly 30 percent below the peak. The table tracks the directional national average by year:
| Year | Recycled Grade A 48x40 (national avg) | vs. 2022 peak | Market condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11-15 | rising | Lumber shortage and supply-chain disruption drive prices up |
| 2022 | $13-18 | cycle peak | Softwood lumber and pallet demand at record highs |
| 2023 | $10-14 | about 20% below | Lumber prices ease, recycled supply recovers |
| 2024 | $8-12 | about 30% below | Market normalizes; core and recycling volumes rebuild |
| 2025 | $7-11 | about 35% below | Stable lumber market; steady recycled availability |
| 2026 | $7-11 (avg near $9) | about 30-35% below | Stable; a favorable window for pallet procurement |
Directional national averages for recycled Grade A 48x40, derived from the published softwood-lumber cycle and the USP 2026 national index (Grade A average near $9), not firm quotes. As of July 2026.
By Pallet Type
Pallet Lumber & Sawmill Operations
Stamped kiln-dried pallet lumber, bulk warehouse stock, dimensional yard inventory, raw softwood logs, and sawmill operations - the supply chain behind every custom and standard pallet we ship.
- New GMA 48x40 Pallet - typical range $11-18
- Recycled Grade A Pallet - typical range $7-11
- ISPM-15 Heat-Treated Export Pallet - typical range $12-22
- Block Pallet (4-Way Entry) - typical range $18-28
- FDA Food-Grade Pallet - typical range $13-22
By State (50 states x 5 types = 250 pricing references)
Each state-and-type combination gives a 2026 spot pricing range, volume-tier discounts, and state-specific pricing drivers.
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Companion Tools
- USP Pallet Price Index (monthly per-pallet benchmark)
- Lumber Index Tracker
- State Pallet Market Index
- 2026 State Pricing Reference (Free PDF)
- How Much Does Kamps Pay for Pallets? (2026 buy-back rates)
- We Buy Pallets - Buy-Back Rates by Grade
How does United States Pallets compare to United States-based local pallet suppliers?
Local United States suppliers offer geographic proximity. United States Pallets offers nationwide sourcing depth, multi-grade inventory always in stock, sub-2-business-hour quote response, audit-ready documentation, and standing-order automation that local yards typically don't match.
Does United States Pallets supply pallet pricing for export from national?
Yes, with ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets carrying IPPC stamps and full ISPM-15 documentation. Required for international shipments to all WTO member countries. Common for national customers with port access via United States's major export gateways.
What documentation accompanies pallet pricing 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.
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.
Buy Pallets - Get Line-Item Pricing
Response under 2 business hours. Same-day shipping in core states, scheduled weekly to all 50.
