If your business ships freight — domestically or internationally — the pallet is the foundation of every load. "Shipping pallets" is a broader category than most buyers realize: it covers standard GMA sizes, custom dimensions, heat-treated export pallets, recycled options, and specialty builds for heavy or oversized freight. Choosing the wrong pallet wastes money, risks product damage, and can hold up an entire international shipment if the wood is not ISPM-15 certified.
This guide breaks down what you need to know when buying shipping pallets in Kent, WA and the Pacific Northwest — standard sizes, material options, export requirements, and how to choose a supplier that can handle your volume and specifications.
Standard shipping pallet sizes
The pallet size you need depends on your freight, your warehouse racking, and the shipping lane. Here are the sizes most commonly used in Pacific Northwest freight:
48x40 (GMA) — the standard. The Grocery Manufacturers Association pallet is the dominant size in North American supply chains. If you ship through major retailers, distribution centers, or LTL carriers, the 48x40 is what your freight is expected to land on. A-1 Pallets Inc. stocks and manufactures new and used GMA 48x40 pallets as its core product.
42x42 — used heavily in telecommunications, paint, and chemical industries. If your freight fits this footprint, 42x42 pallets are readily available.
48x48 — designed for barrels, drums, and liquid containers. The square footprint provides stability for round freight that would overhang a 48x40.
36x36 — common in the beverage industry for soda and beverage distribution.
Custom sizes — when your freight does not fit a standard pallet, you need a manufacturer who can cut and build to your exact dimensions. A-1 Pallets Inc. builds custom pallets from raw lumber for specialized freight, oversized loads, and non-standard racking. See the custom pallet solutions guide for specs and examples.
If you are not sure which size you need, the safest starting point is the 48x40 GMA — it is the size that every warehouse, carrier, and distribution center in the region is set up to handle.
New vs. recycled vs. remanufactured pallets
Shipping pallets come in three condition tiers, and the right choice depends on your freight weight, your brand requirements, and your budget:
New pallets
Built from fresh-cut lumber with no prior use. New pallets carry the highest load capacity and the cleanest appearance — important if your pallets are customer-facing or if you ship to retailers with strict pallet quality standards. New GMA 48x40 pallets in the Pacific Northwest run $14–$22 each. For heavy freight or export, new is the safest option. See the new pallets guide for a detailed breakdown.
Recycled (refurbished) pallets
Used pallets that have been inspected, repaired (broken stringers or deck boards replaced), and returned to serviceable condition. Recycled GMA pallets run $8–$14 each — roughly half the cost of new. They are appropriate for closed-loop shipping, internal warehouse use, and freight where appearance is not critical. Load capacity is slightly lower than new, but a properly repaired recycled pallet handles standard freight without issue. Learn more in the used pallets guide.
Remanufactured pallets
Built from reclaimed lumber (cut from dismantled used pallets) into new pallet assemblies. These sit between new and recycled in both price and performance — they look new but use recovered materials. A pallet manufacturer with cutting and assembly equipment, like A-1 Pallets Inc., can produce remanufactured pallets in standard or custom sizes.
ISPM-15 heat treatment for international shipping
If you ship internationally — by ocean, air, or across land borders — your wooden pallets must comply with ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15). ISPM-15 requires that solid wood packaging material be heat treated to a core temperature of 56°C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated with methyl bromide, and stamped with the IPPC certification mark.
Without ISPM-15 compliance, customs at the destination port can refuse entry, quarantine the shipment, or require the freight to be re-palletized — all of which add days of delay and significant cost. Domestic shipments within the United States do not require heat treatment.
A-1 Pallets Inc. provides heat-treated (HT) pallets stamped with the ISPM-15 certification mark for export shipments. If you are shipping internationally, specify heat-treated pallets when ordering — a standard untreated pallet will not pass customs at the destination. For more on treatment standards, see the pallet treatment guide.
How to choose a shipping pallet supplier
Not every company selling pallets can handle the full range of shipping needs. Here is what separates a full-service pallet manufacturer from a yard that just resells inventory:
Manufacturing capability — a manufacturer can build custom sizes, adjust lumber grade, and produce to your spec. A reseller can only sell what they have in stock. If you need non-standard dimensions or consistent quality across large volume, you need a manufacturer. See the pallet manufacturers guide for the full breakdown.
Inventory depth — for businesses that ship daily, running out of pallets stops the line. A supplier with consistent inventory and delivery capability keeps your operation moving. A-1 Pallets Inc. delivers across King and Pierce Counties — see the pallet pickup and delivery guide.
Recycling and buyback — if you generate used pallets, a supplier that buys back and recycles them reduces your waste disposal cost and closes the loop. See who buys wooden pallets and where to drop off pallets.
Export certification — if you ship internationally, your supplier must be able to provide ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets with valid certification stamps. A supplier without this capability cannot serve your export lanes.
A-1 Pallets Inc. at 404 3rd Ave S in Kent, WA has been manufacturing, repairing, and selling shipping pallets for over 22 years. The yard stocks new and used GMA 48x40 pallets, builds custom sizes from raw lumber, provides heat-treated export pallets, and delivers across the Pacific Northwest. If you are buying shipping pallets for volume freight, export, or custom applications, contact the yard directly for current inventory, pricing, and delivery scheduling.