Frequently Asked Questions

We carry a comprehensive range of pallet types to suit virtually any application. Our inventory includes standard wood pallets in all common sizes (48x40, 42x42, 48x48, 48x45, and more), plastic pallets for hygiene-sensitive industries, metal pallets for heavy-duty applications, and presswood pallets made from recycled wood fiber. We stock pallets in Grade A (like-new), Grade B (good condition with minor wear), and Grade C (economy, fully functional but showing significant use). We also carry heat-treated (ISPM-15 compliant) pallets for international shipping, pallet collars, lids, and other accessories. If you need a non-standard size or specification, our custom pallet program can build to your exact requirements.

Choosing the correct grade is about matching quality to your specific application. Grade A pallets are in like-new or nearly new condition with no repairs, tight boards, and no staining. They are the best choice for retail display, pharmaceutical shipments, export orders, or any situation where appearance and maximum strength matter. Grade B pallets are the most popular choice for general warehouse and shipping use. They may show minor cosmetic wear and could have one or two repaired boards, but they are structurally sound and fully functional. Grade C pallets have visible wear, may include multiple repairs, and are ideal for one-time shipments, heavy industrial use, or applications where cost is the primary consideration. Our team can help you identify the most cost-effective grade for your operation. In many cases, Grade B pallets deliver the best balance of quality and value.

Absolutely. We encourage prospective customers to visit our facility and inspect sample pallets from each grade before committing to a large purchase. You can schedule a visit during our regular business hours, and one of our team members will walk you through our inventory, explain the differences between grades, and help you select the best option for your specific needs. If you cannot visit in person, we can send photographs and detailed specifications of the pallets you are considering. For new accounts placing their first large order, we also offer the option of a small trial order so you can evaluate the pallets in your own facility before scaling up.

Stringer pallets use two or three parallel boards (called stringers) running between the top and bottom deck boards to provide structural support. They are the most common type in the US and typically offer two-way forklift entry, though notched stringers can allow partial four-way access. Block pallets use blocks of solid wood or compressed material at the four corners and along each edge, with both stringers and perpendicular boards providing support. Block pallets offer true four-way forklift entry, tend to be stronger, and are preferred in automated warehouse environments. Block pallets generally cost more than stringer pallets but provide superior handling flexibility.

Absolutely. We purchase used pallets of all types, sizes, and conditions. Whether you have a few dozen clean Grade A pallets or a yard full of broken and weathered pallets, we are interested. We accept standard-size pallets as well as odd sizes, painted pallets, pallets with company markings, damaged pallets, and even pallet scrap wood. Our experienced team will assess your inventory and provide a fair, transparent quote based on current market conditions, pallet condition, quantity, and your location. In many cases, we can arrange free pickup for larger quantities, which also eliminates any disposal costs you might otherwise incur.

Pallets that are beyond economical repair are never wasted. We disassemble them and sort the lumber into categories. Sound boards and stringers are stockpiled as repair components for other pallets, giving them a second purpose even if the original pallet cannot be saved. Wood that is too damaged or too small for structural reuse is processed through our grinding equipment and converted into landscape mulch, playground surfacing material, animal bedding, or biomass fuel for energy generation. By cascading the wood through these successive value tiers, we achieve a near-zero landfill rate for the pallet materials we process.

Yes. For businesses that accumulate used pallets on an ongoing basis, we offer regularly scheduled pickup services. We can set up weekly, biweekly, or monthly pickups depending on your accumulation rate. Scheduled pickups keep your facility organized, prevent pallet stockpiles from becoming safety hazards, and provide a consistent revenue stream from your used pallets. There is no cost for the pickup service when the quantity and quality of pallets justify it. Many of our regular sellers appreciate the hands-off nature of the program: we show up on schedule, assess and load the pallets, and issue payment promptly.

Pallet pricing is influenced by several factors, and we are fully transparent about how we arrive at our quotes. The main variables include the pallet size (standard 48x40 pallets are generally the most economical due to high availability), material type (wood is typically less expensive than plastic or metal), condition and grade (Grade A costs more than Grade B or C), quantity ordered (volume discounts apply at various tiers), heat treatment requirement (ISPM-15 treatment adds a per-pallet cost), and delivery distance from our facility. We provide free, no-obligation quotes and encourage you to reach out so we can give you exact pricing based on your specific requirements. Market conditions can also affect pricing, as lumber costs and supply-demand dynamics fluctuate throughout the year.

Yes, volume discounts are a core part of our pricing structure. We offer tiered pricing based on order size, with meaningful price breaks at several levels. Orders of 100 or more units qualify for our standard volume discount, orders of 250 or more receive a deeper discount, and full truckload orders of 400 to 500 pallets (depending on size) receive our most competitive pricing. For businesses with ongoing pallet needs, we also offer annual contract pricing that locks in favorable rates and guarantees supply. If you have a large one-time order or anticipate regular ongoing needs, we encourage you to discuss a custom pricing arrangement with our sales team.

For exceptionally large orders or new business relationships involving significant capital commitments, we can discuss extended payment arrangements on a case-by-case basis. While we do not offer formal financing programs, qualified businesses may be eligible for extended net-60 terms, milestone-based payments for multi-delivery orders, or other customized arrangements. Our priority is building long-term business relationships, and we work with our customers to find payment structures that support their cash flow needs while ensuring a sustainable business partnership.

Our primary service area covers the greater Portland metropolitan area and the broader Pacific Northwest, including cities throughout Oregon and Washington. Within our core delivery zone, we operate our own fleet of trucks and can typically deliver within one to three business days of order confirmation. For customers outside our primary service area, we partner with reliable regional and national carriers to arrange delivery anywhere in the contiguous United States. Long-distance deliveries are most cost-effective for full truckload orders, as freight costs can be spread across a larger quantity. We also accommodate customer pickup from our facility for those who prefer to arrange their own transportation.

Our delivery fleet includes a range of vehicles to match different order sizes and site requirements. For standard deliveries, we use flatbed trucks and box trucks equipped with forklifts for off-loading at your location. For full truckload orders, we use 53-foot semi-trailers that can carry approximately 400 to 500 pallets depending on size and stacking configuration. For smaller deliveries or locations with tight access, we have shorter-wheelbase trucks that can navigate narrow streets and smaller loading areas. All of our drivers are trained in safe loading practices and are equipped to off-load pallets at your facility, even if you do not have a forklift on site.

Delivery pricing depends on the order size, delivery distance, and any special access requirements at your location. For full truckload orders within our primary service area, delivery is often included at no additional charge. For partial truckload and smaller orders, a delivery fee applies and is quoted at the time of order. We are always transparent about delivery costs and include them as a separate line item on your quote so you can see exactly what you are paying. If delivery costs are a concern, customer pickup from our Portland facility is always available at no charge.

Quality control is embedded at every stage of our operation. When pallets arrive at our facility, they go through an initial sorting process where trained inspectors assess each pallet against our grading criteria. Pallets are evaluated for structural integrity, board condition, fastener security, contamination, moisture content, and dimensional accuracy. Pallets destined for resale are assigned a grade (A, B, or C) based on this assessment, and any pallet that fails to meet the minimum standards for its designated grade is downgraded or sent to repair. Repaired pallets undergo a secondary inspection to verify that all work meets our standards. We also conduct periodic quality audits of our grading process to ensure consistency. Our goal is that every pallet we sell performs reliably for its intended application.

Yes. For all heat-treated pallets, we provide documentation confirming ISPM-15 compliance, including treatment dates, temperatures achieved, and the certified facility identification number. Each treated pallet also carries the official IPPC stamp that customs agents worldwide recognize. If you need additional documentation for your own quality management system, regulatory compliance records, or customer audits, we can provide certificates of treatment, pallet specification sheets, material safety data, and chain-of-custody documentation. Our administrative team is experienced in preparing the paperwork that import/export operations require, and we are happy to work with your compliance team to ensure you have everything you need.

We offer pallets suitable for food and pharmaceutical applications. Our Grade A pallets are clean, free of contamination, and meet the hygiene standards required by most food processing and distribution operations. For operations that require FDA-compliant or FSMA-aligned pallet handling, we can provide additional documentation about our material sourcing and storage practices. Plastic pallets, which we also carry, are often the preferred choice for food-grade applications because they are non-porous, easy to sanitize, and resistant to bacteria, mold, and moisture. Contact us to discuss your specific food safety requirements and we will recommend the best solution.

Absolutely. Our custom pallet program is one of our most valued services. We can build pallets to virtually any specification, including non-standard dimensions, specific lumber species, particular board thicknesses, custom deck configurations (number and spacing of boards), notched or chamfered stringers for automated handling, color-coded markings for inventory management, and branded logos or identification stamps. The process begins with a consultation where we understand your product, racking system, handling equipment, and supply chain requirements. We then provide engineering drawings and a prototype if needed before moving into full production. Custom orders typically have a minimum of 50 units and a lead time of five to ten business days, though we can often expedite for urgent needs.

Yes. If you have an existing pallet design that you want us to replicate, simply provide us with a sample pallet, engineering drawings, or detailed dimensions and specifications. Our team will measure and document every aspect of the pallet, including board thicknesses, spacing, fastener types, stringer dimensions, and any special features. We can produce an exact match or, if you are open to it, suggest improvements that could enhance performance, reduce weight, or lower cost. Many customers come to us when their current supplier cannot meet their volume or timeline requirements, and we are experienced at seamlessly taking over production of existing pallet programs.

Purchasing recycled pallets delivers significant environmental benefits across multiple dimensions. Each recycled pallet that re-enters the supply chain prevents one new pallet from being manufactured, which saves approximately 12 to 15 board feet of lumber, avoids the energy consumption and emissions associated with sawmilling and assembly, and reduces transportation impacts from shipping raw materials. When you multiply these savings across hundreds or thousands of pallets per year, the cumulative impact is substantial. Additionally, pallet recycling diverts wood waste from landfills, where it would decompose and release methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO2. Companies that switch from all-new to a mix of new and recycled pallets typically reduce their pallet-related carbon footprint by 40 to 70 percent while simultaneously lowering their procurement costs.

Yes. We can provide documentation to support your environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting and sustainability disclosures. This includes data on the number of recycled pallets purchased, estimated board feet of lumber conserved, CO2 equivalent emissions avoided, and landfill diversion volumes associated with your purchases. Many of our customers use this data for Scope 3 emissions reporting, annual sustainability reports, B Corp certification applications, and supplier sustainability scorecards. If you have specific reporting requirements or metrics frameworks you need to align with, our team can work with you to provide the data in the format your compliance team requires.

Pallet handling requires attention to several safety considerations to prevent injuries. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment including heavy-duty work gloves (to protect against splinters, nails, and rough edges), steel-toed boots, and safety glasses when working in areas where pallet repair or disassembly is occurring. When manually moving pallets, use proper lifting techniques: bend at the knees, keep your back straight, and grip the pallet firmly on opposite sides. Never stand on a pallet, as the deck boards are designed for distributed loads, not concentrated point loads, and can break underfoot. Keep walkways and work areas clear of stacked pallets to prevent tripping hazards. When using forklifts, ensure the forks are fully inserted into the pallet openings before lifting, and never carry unstable loads. Report any damaged pallets immediately so they can be removed from service before they cause an accident.

Before putting a pallet into service, conduct a quick visual and physical inspection. Check for broken or missing deck boards, as gaps in the deck surface can cause product falls and forklift damage. Examine the stringers and blocks for cracks, splits, or rot, which compromise structural integrity. Look for protruding nails or staples that could injure workers or damage products. Check for signs of contamination such as chemical stains, strong odors, or biological growth (mold, fungus). Test the pallet's rigidity by applying pressure to the deck and checking for excessive flex or sagging. Verify that the pallet is not excessively warped, which prevents stable stacking. If a pallet fails any of these checks, remove it from service and mark it for repair or recycling. Implementing a standardized pre-use inspection checklist for your team ensures that damaged pallets are caught before they cause problems.