The Complete Pallet Guide: Grades, Sizes & ISPM15

Buying used pallets for the first time, or want to know which grade fits your load? This guide explains pallet grades A, B and C, standard sizes, when to buy used versus new, ISPM15 export rules and load ratings — in plain English. Lothian Pallets supplies graded used pallets and new pallets in bulk, but the facts below apply to wooden pallets anywhere.

Pallet grades explained: A, B and C

Most used pallets are sold by condition grade, so you can match quality to the job and the budget. There's no single national standard for grades, but the industry — and we — use a simple A/B/C scale:

In short: Grade A is basically new but devalued; Grade B is the everyday workhorse; and Grade C is heavily used but still does the job. See each grade on our pallet range page.

Used or new pallets: which should you buy?

For most loads a sound used pallet does the same job as new at a lower price — which is why used and reclaimed pallets make up the bulk of the market and around 80% of what we supply. A Grade A or B used pallet carries a similar load to new and is far kinder to your budget and your carbon footprint. Choose new when you specifically need a clean, uniform pallet: hygiene-critical food or pharmaceutical loads, retail presentation, or where a guaranteed specification is written into a contract. One thing worth knowing — there's no general-supply "new Euro" pallet: new EPAL pallets can only be made by EPAL-licensed manufacturers, so any Euro pallets we supply are quality used stock.

What are the standard pallet sizes?

There is no single "standard" pallet worldwide, but two sizes dominate in the UK: the 1200 × 1000 mm UK pallet and the 1200 × 800 mm Euro (EPAL) pallet. Here are the common sizes you'll encounter:

We supply the first two as standard, used and new (used only for Euro). Need another size for a specific route? Ask us.

What is an ISPM15 pallet, and do I need one?

An ISPM15 pallet is a wooden pallet that has been heat-treated to a core temperature of 56°C for at least 30 minutes and stamped with the IPPC mark. ISPM15 (International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) exists to stop timber pests spreading between countries. If you export goods outside the UK on solid-wood packaging, that packaging almost always has to be ISPM15-compliant, or your shipment can be held or refused at the border. Good news for used-pallet buyers: a used pallet that already carries a clear, valid IPPC stamp — and hasn't been repaired with untreated wood — can be reused for export.

The IPPC stamp tells inspectors the pallet is compliant. It shows four things:

• IPPC symbol — the wheat/globe logo that identifies the scheme.
• Country code — e.g. GB for the United Kingdom.
• Producer number — the registered facility that treated the wood.
• Treatment code — HT for heat treatment (the method we use).

How much weight can a pallet hold?

Capacity depends on how the load sits. The three ratings buyers ask about are static, dynamic and racking load. A sound used pallet carries a similar load to new — grade reflects wear and appearance more than rated strength. As a general guide for a standard timber pallet:

Figures are typical industry guidance — the exact rating depends on timber, board thickness and construction. Tell us your load and we'll spec the right grade.

How many pallets fit in a lorry or container?

A useful planning rule for single-stacked, floor-loaded pallets:

Double-stacking increases these numbers wherever the load and its fragility allow.

Pallets and export for Edinburgh & Lothian businesses

The Lothians are home to a lot of exporters — food and drink producers, Scotch whisky and spirits, and the precision manufacturing and life-sciences firms clustered around Edinburgh, Livingston and West Lothian. Almost anything leaving the UK on a wooden pallet has to travel on ISPM15-treated timber, whether it goes out through the Forth ports at Grangemouth, Rosyth or Leith or is trunked south to a deep-sea container terminal. For export you can use a new or a used pallet, as long as it carries a clear, valid ISPM15 stamp. Trading mainly within the UK? Graded used pallets are the cost-effective everyday choice.

What are pallets made from?

Most transport pallets are softwood (typically pine or spruce), which is strong, light and cost-effective; hardwood is used where extra durability is needed. Timber is the material of choice because it's repairable, recyclable and easy to treat for export — which is exactly what makes a healthy used-pallet market possible. Board thickness, the number of bearers and the moisture content of the wood all affect strength and weight.

How are used pallets graded and reconditioned?

Every pallet that comes back to us is inspected and sorted. Sound pallets are graded A, B or C on condition; those needing work are reconditioned — reboarded, re-nailed or blocks replaced — and re-graded; and any beyond repair are dismantled for parts or chipped for reuse, so very little goes to landfill. We also run a buy-back and collection service, paying cash or credit for your surplus and damaged pallets and keeping timber in circulation.

How do I order used pallets in bulk?

Ordering with us takes five steps:

Pallet glossary

Quick answers