Plastic pallet best practices
Plastic Pallets Guide
Need a plastic pallet for export, food production, or automated storage? Review the main styles, footprint options, and load ratings before you place a purchase order. Use the calculator presets to validate volume and weight in seconds.
Quick answers
- Why is it illegal to own plastic pallet?
- Where can I buy plastic pallets?
- Where to buy plastic pallets (checklist)
- Who buys plastic pallets near me?
- How much weight can a plastic pallet hold?
Each FAQ page includes supplier shortlists and calculator presets to plug in straight away.
Core plastic pallet styles
Most manufacturers group plastic pallets into four families. Match the structure to your storage and handling flow:
- Rackable: Solid perimeter or steel-reinforced decks designed for beam and drive-in racking [ORBIS].
- Stackable: Full bottom decks that keep loads stable when one pallet sits on another.
- Nestable: Lightweight export pallets with cone feet; they nest when empty to save trailer space.
- Hygienic / one-piece: Seamless surfaces for pharma and food production where wash-down is critical.
Note whether you need fire-retardant resin, metal detection, or RFID tracking pockets before ordering.
Common plastic pallet sizes
Plastic formats mirror the major wooden standards so you can slot them into existing conveyance. Expect these footprints on catalog sheets:
| Size | Metric | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 × 40 in | 1219 × 1016 mm | US grocery / general warehousing | Available in rackable and nestable builds [Nelson] |
| 45 × 45 in | 1143 × 1143 mm | Drum & chemical | Popular for bulk liquid totes and drums [Nelson] |
| 1200 × 1000 mm | 47.2 × 39.4 in | Europe / Asia export lanes | Works with ISO containers, often in hygienic builds |
| 1100 × 1100 mm | 43.3 × 43.3 in | Asia sea freight | High utilisation for 40ft HC containers [Q-Pall] |
Confirm deck height and fork pocket openings when matching to automated guided vehicles or conveyors. Need wooden benchmarks for comparison? Review the standard pallet dimensions.
How much weight can a plastic pallet hold?
Capacity varies widely by mould, resin, and reinforcement. Always check the three ratings published on spec sheets:
- Static load: Up to 30,000 lb (13,600 kg) on heavy-duty rackable pallets [ORBIS].
- Dynamic load: 1,500–6,000 lb (680–2,720 kg) while in motion. Most 48×40 export pallets sit near 4,000 lb [PHS].
- Racking load: 2,250–3,300 lb (1,020–1,500 kg) when spanning rack beams [Craemer].
Input these limits into the pallet weight calculator to ensure box weight × quantity slots under the spec.
Compliance and export advantages
Plastic pallets sail through ISPM 15 rules because they are not wood packaging. That means no heat treatment or fumigation certificates are required for cross-border shipments [USDA APHIS].
If you reclaim pooled pallets like CHEP blue pallets, ensure you return them to the pooling provider—those assets remain company property [CHEP].
Plan loads with the calculator
Pair with the TI‑HI calculator to test rotation, then record weights in the weight tool.
FAQ
Why do people say it is illegal to own plastic pallets?
It is legal to own generic plastic pallets. The confusion comes from pooled pallets (like CHEP blue pallets) that remain the pooling company’s property—you must return or lease them, not resell.
Where can I buy plastic pallets?
Go direct to manufacturers (ORBIS, Craemer, Utz) for large programs, or work with distributors such as Premier Handling Solutions for mixed loads and regional delivery.
How much weight can a plastic pallet hold?
Check static, dynamic, and racking ratings on the spec sheet. Rackable 48×40 models often list 30,000 lb static, 4,000 lb dynamic, and 2,800 lb racking.
Why choose plastic pallets for export?
They are exempt from ISPM 15, resist moisture, and survive repeated wash-downs—ideal for food, pharma, and ocean freight.