Pallet Industry Glossary
Over 55 pallet industry terms defined in clear, practical language — your complete reference for the terminology used throughout the pallet supply chain.
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A
Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS)
A computer-controlled warehouse system that automatically places and retrieves unit loads from defined storage locations using cranes, shuttles, or robotic equipment. AS/RS systems require pallets with very tight dimensional tolerances (typically within 1/4 inch) and consistent weight because the automated equipment cannot adjust to irregular pallets the way a human forklift operator can.
B
Block Pallet
A pallet design that uses rectangular wood blocks (typically 9) as the primary support structure between the top and bottom decks. Block pallets allow true four-way forklift entry from any side. The EUR/EPAL pallet is the most well-known block pallet standard.
Learn more →Board Foot
A unit of lumber volume equal to 1 inch thick by 12 inches wide by 12 inches long (144 cubic inches). Used to calculate the amount of raw lumber in a pallet. A standard 48x40 GMA pallet contains approximately 20 board feet of lumber.
Bottom Deck
The lower set of deck boards on a pallet. Bottom deck boards provide stability when the pallet is resting on a floor or racking beams and protect cargo stacked below from protruding nail points. Not all pallets have bottom decks — skids have only a top deck.
Banding (Strapping)
Steel or plastic straps used to secure products to a pallet and hold the unit load together during transport. Banding supplements or replaces stretch wrap for heavy loads, irregularly shaped items, or loads that need to breathe (such as agricultural products). Common banding widths for pallet loads are 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch.
C
Chamfer
A beveled edge on the lead board of a pallet, angled at 45 degrees, to make it easier for forklifts and pallet jacks to slide under the pallet. Also called a lead board chamfer.
Companion Board (Sister Board)
A repair board attached alongside a cracked or damaged stringer to restore structural integrity. Companion boards are commonly used in Grade C pallet repairs and are typically secured with multiple nails or bolts.
Learn more →Cant (Pallet Cant)
A thick, rectangular piece of lumber sawn from a log and used to produce pallet stringers and blocks. Cants are typically 3.5 to 4.5 inches thick and are resawn at pallet manufacturing facilities into finished stringers. The term distinguishes the raw lumber input from the finished pallet component.
CHEP
The largest pallet pooling company in the world, operated by Brambles Limited. CHEP rents blue-painted pallets (primarily 48x40 and 1200x1000mm) to manufacturers and retailers on a trip-fee basis. Pallets are returned to CHEP service centers for inspection, repair, and reissue. CHEP pallets are proprietary and should not be resold or disposed of by users.
Close-Boarded Deck (Full Deck)
A pallet deck where the boards are placed edge-to-edge with no gaps between them. Close-boarded decks provide a continuous surface that supports small items, prevents products from falling through, and allows smooth rolling of loads using pallet jacks. Common in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical distribution.
Corner Board (Edge Protector)
An L-shaped protector made of compressed paperboard, plastic, or foam placed over the corners of a palletized load before stretch wrapping. Corner boards prevent the stretch wrap from cutting into product packaging, distribute compression forces during stacking, and protect the load edges during transport.
D
Deck Board
The horizontal boards that make up the top and bottom surfaces of a pallet. Deck boards carry the load and distribute it to the stringers or blocks. Standard deck boards are 5/8 to 3/4 inch thick.
Dynamic Load Capacity
The maximum weight a pallet can safely carry while being lifted and moved by a forklift, pallet jack, or other handling equipment. Dynamic load capacity is always lower than static load capacity because movement creates additional stress from vibration, shock, and uneven forces.
Learn more →Dunnage
Loose wood, foam, inflatable bags, or other materials placed between or around products on a pallet to prevent shifting, cushion impacts, and fill voids. In the context of ISPM-15, dunnage refers to any solid wood used to brace or support cargo in a shipping container, and it is subject to the same treatment requirements as pallets.
Learn more →E
EPAL (European Pallet Association)
The organization that manages the EUR pallet standard, including licensing production and repair facilities, auditing quality, and maintaining the pallet exchange pool system across Europe. EPAL licenses are required to legally produce or repair EUR-stamped pallets.
Learn more →Expendable Pallet
A pallet intended for a single one-way trip that is not expected to be returned or reused. Expendable pallets are typically the lowest-cost option (Grade C recycled or lightweight new construction) and are used for export shipments, one-way domestic shipping, or applications where the pallet will be disposed of by the receiver.
F
Flush Pallet
A pallet where the deck boards are cut to the exact same dimensions as the stringer or block structure, with no overhang. This is the standard configuration for GMA and EUR pallets.
Four-Way Entry
A pallet that can be accessed by a forklift or pallet jack from all four sides. Block pallets inherently offer four-way entry. Stringer pallets achieve four-way entry by cutting notches in the stringers to allow fork access from the non-standard sides.
Forklift Pocket (Fork Opening)
The opening between the top and bottom decks of a pallet (or between the top deck and the ground in a single-deck design) where forklift tines are inserted for lifting. Standard forklift pocket height is 3.5 inches (the height of a standard 2x4 stringer). Wider or taller pockets may be specified for specialty equipment.
G
GMA Pallet
The 48x40-inch pallet standardized by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (now Consumer Brands Association). It is the most widely used pallet in North America, accounting for roughly 30% of new production and 45% of all pallets in circulation.
Learn more →Grade (Pallet Grade)
A classification system for recycled pallets based on physical condition and structural integrity. The standard system uses three tiers: Grade A (premium/like new), Grade B (standard/good condition), and Grade C (economy/utility). All grades carry the same rated load capacity.
Learn more →Green Lumber
Freshly sawn lumber that has not been dried. Green lumber has high moisture content (often 60-120% depending on species), which makes pallets significantly heavier than those built from kiln-dried or air-dried wood. Green lumber pallets are less expensive but heavier, and they require longer heat treatment times for ISPM-15 compliance.
Learn more →Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
The total weight of a loaded truck, including the vehicle, trailer, cargo, fuel, and driver. GVW limits (typically 80,000 lbs on U.S. highways) can restrict the number of pallets that can be loaded on a truck, especially for heavy products. Pallet tare weight contributes to the total GVW and is a consideration when choosing wood species.
H
Hardwood
Wood from deciduous (leaf-bearing) trees such as oak, maple, ash, and poplar. Hardwood pallets are generally stronger, more durable, and more resistant to surface damage than softwood pallets, but they are heavier and more expensive.
Learn more →Heat Treatment (HT)
The process of raising the core temperature of pallet wood to 56°C (132.8°F) and maintaining it for at least 30 minutes. Required by ISPM-15 for all solid wood packaging materials used in international trade. Heat treatment kills wood-boring insects and pathogens that could spread between countries.
Learn more →I
IPPC Mark
The stamp applied to wood packaging materials (including pallets) that have been treated in accordance with ISPM-15. The mark includes the IPPC logo, the country code, producer number, and treatment code (HT for heat treatment, MB for methyl bromide). Required for international shipping.
ISPM-15
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 — the international regulation governing wood packaging materials used in global trade. ISPM-15 requires that all solid wood packaging (pallets, crates, dunnage) be treated (heat treated or fumigated) and stamped with the IPPC mark to prevent the spread of invasive pests.
Learn more →J
Janka Hardness
A standardized test (ASTM D143) that measures the force required to embed a 0.444-inch steel ball halfway into a wood sample. Janka hardness indicates a wood species' resistance to denting, wear, and surface damage. Higher Janka numbers mean harder wood. For pallets, Janka hardness correlates with surface durability and resistance to forklift tine damage.
Learn more →K
Kiln-Dried (KD)
Lumber that has been dried in a controlled-temperature kiln to reduce its moisture content, typically to 6-12%. Kiln-dried lumber is lighter, more dimensionally stable, and less prone to mold than green or air-dried lumber. It also requires less time in the heat treatment kiln for ISPM-15 compliance. Kiln-dried pallet lumber costs more than green lumber but produces a higher-quality product.
L
Lead Board
The outermost deck board on either end of a pallet. Lead boards are wider than inner deck boards (typically 5.5 inches vs 3.5 inches) because they bear the greatest stress from forklift tines during handling. They are also the first point of contact during loading and unloading.
Load Bearing Surface (LBS)
The total area of a pallet's top deck that directly supports the product. In open-deck pallets, the LBS is the combined width of the deck boards times their length. A higher LBS percentage (deck board area divided by total pallet area) provides better weight distribution and support for flexible-bottomed packaging such as bags and drums.
M
Mulch
Ground wood produced by shredding pallets that have reached the end of their useful life. Pallet mulch is used in landscaping, playgrounds, animal bedding, and as biomass fuel. Converting end-of-life pallets to mulch prevents them from entering landfills.
Methyl Bromide (MB)
A fumigant gas historically used to treat wood packaging for ISPM-15 compliance as an alternative to heat treatment. Methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance and its use has been phased out in most countries under the Montreal Protocol. Heat treatment (HT) has replaced MB as the standard phytosanitary treatment in nearly all markets. Some countries still accept MB-treated wood but the trend is toward universal HT adoption.
N
Nestable Pallet
A pallet designed to stack (nest) inside other pallets of the same type when empty, dramatically reducing storage space. Most nestable pallets are made of plastic with a nine-leg design. They are popular in e-commerce, air freight, and applications where empty pallet return logistics are a concern.
Notch (Stringer Notch)
A rectangular cutout on the bottom edge of a stringer that allows forklift forks to enter from the non-standard sides of a stringer pallet. Notching converts a two-way entry stringer pallet into a four-way entry pallet. Notches are typically 9 inches wide by 1.5 inches deep.
Nail Pattern
The specific arrangement and number of nails used to attach deck boards to stringers or blocks. The nail pattern is engineered for each pallet design based on the expected load, species of wood, and nail type. Common patterns use 2-3 nails per deck board-stringer joint. Under-nailing reduces load capacity; over-nailing increases cost and can split thin boards.
NWPCA
The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association — the primary trade association for the wood pallet and container industry in the United States. NWPCA provides pallet design software (PDS), industry statistics, safety training, and advocacy on regulatory issues. The organization represents approximately 700 member companies that produce, recycle, and distribute wooden pallets.
O
Overhang
When a product or load extends beyond the edge of the pallet on any side. Overhang creates safety hazards (product can fall during handling), causes damage to the overhanging portion, and interferes with racking and automated systems. Proper pallet sizing eliminates overhang.
Learn more →P
Pallet Exchange Pool
A system where pallets of a standardized design can be exchanged one-for-one at any point in the supply chain. The EPAL system in Europe is the largest pallet pool. CHEP and PECO operate pooled pallet systems in North America and Australia using proprietary (rental) pallets.
Pallet Jack (Pallet Truck)
A wheeled device used to lift and move pallets at ground level. Manual pallet jacks are human-powered with a hydraulic pump; electric pallet jacks are battery-powered. Unlike forklifts, pallet jacks cannot lift pallets more than a few inches off the ground.
Pallet Design System (PDS)
Software developed by the NWPCA in collaboration with Virginia Tech that engineers pallet designs for specific load requirements. PDS calculates the required board thickness, stringer dimensions, nail patterns, and overall pallet dimensions based on the product weight, stacking configuration, handling method, and environmental conditions. It is the industry standard for engineered pallet design.
Pallet Collar
A hinged wooden frame that sits on top of a pallet to create an open-top bin. Multiple collars can be stacked to increase the height of the bin. Pallet collars are used to contain loose items, small parts, or irregularly shaped products on standard pallets. When not in use, collars fold flat for efficient storage and return logistics.
R
Racking Load
The maximum weight a pallet can support when placed across the beams of a storage rack system, with its edges supported but its center spanning freely. Racking loads are lower than static loads because the pallet must resist bending across the span.
Reversible Pallet
A pallet with identical top and bottom decks, allowing it to be flipped over and used from either side. Reversible pallets effectively double the usable life of the deck surface because when one side becomes worn, the pallet can be turned over. They are heavier and more expensive than single-deck designs but offer superior longevity for multi-trip applications.
S
Skid
The oldest pallet design, consisting of a top deck and stringers but no bottom deck. Skids sit directly on their stringers. They are lighter and less expensive than full pallets but cannot be double-stacked and are less stable in racking. Also known as a single-deck pallet.
Softwood
Wood from coniferous (needle-bearing) trees such as pine, spruce, fir, and cedar. Softwood pallets are lighter and less expensive than hardwood. Southern Yellow Pine is the most common softwood used in North American pallet production.
Learn more →Static Load Capacity
The maximum weight a pallet can support when resting on a flat, solid surface without being moved. Static load capacity is always higher than dynamic load capacity because there are no additional forces from movement, vibration, or impact.
Learn more →Stringer
A continuous structural member (typically a 2x4 or 2x6 board) that runs the full length of a stringer pallet, supporting the deck boards and transferring the load to the ground or racking. Standard stringer pallets have three stringers: two outside edges and one center.
Stringer Pallet
A pallet design that uses two or three long, continuous boards (stringers) as its primary structural support. The most common pallet design in North America. GMA 48x40 pallets are typically stringer pallets with notched stringers for four-way entry.
Learn more →Slip Sheet
A thin sheet of corrugated fiberboard, plastic, or kraft paper used as a pallet substitute. Products are stacked directly on the slip sheet, which is then handled with a push-pull attachment on a forklift. Slip sheets reduce packaging weight, storage space, and cost compared to pallets, but they require specialized handling equipment and are not compatible with standard racking.
Stretch Wrap
A highly stretchable plastic film (typically linear low-density polyethylene) wound around a palletized load to contain and stabilize the products during storage and transport. Machine-applied stretch wrap provides more consistent tension than hand wrapping. The wrap force, number of revolutions, and overlap pattern are specified based on load weight and product fragility.
T
Top Deck
The upper set of deck boards on a pallet — the surface on which cargo is placed. Top decks can be flush (boards touching with no gaps) or open (spaced boards with gaps). Flush decks are used for small items; open decks are the standard for most applications.
Two-Way Entry
A pallet that can only be accessed by a forklift or pallet jack from two opposite sides — the sides where the stringer openings face. The other two sides are blocked by the stringers. Quarter pallets (24x20) are common two-way entry pallets.
Tare Weight
The weight of an empty pallet without any product loaded on it. Tare weight varies by pallet size, wood species, moisture content, and construction type. A standard 48x40 GMA pallet weighs approximately 30-50 lbs depending on whether it is hardwood (heavier) or softwood (lighter). Tare weight is subtracted from gross weight to determine the net product weight.
Learn more →U
Underhang
When a product or load is significantly smaller than the pallet surface, leaving unused pallet area. While less hazardous than overhang, underhang wastes trailer and warehouse space. Choosing a right-sized pallet or custom dimension eliminates underhang.
Learn more →Unit Load
The combined assembly of a pallet, the products stacked on it, and any securing materials (stretch wrap, strapping, corner boards). The unit load is the fundamental unit of handling in warehouse and transportation logistics.
W
Wing Pallet
A pallet where the deck boards extend beyond the stringers or blocks on one or both sides, creating overhanging "wings." Wing pallets are used for products that need a wider deck surface without increasing the stringer span. Common in the paper and beverage industries.
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