Wood Pallets
The most versatile and widely used pallet material. Our wood pallets are inspected, graded, and ready for your supply chain.
Bakersfield Pallet Co. processes over 200,000 wood pallets per year at our facility at 3240 Patton Way, Bakersfield, CA 93308. We carry new, recycled, and reconditioned wood pallets in every standard size and grade. Whether you need a truckload of GMA 48x40s or a custom-built specialty pallet, our team delivers.
Order Wood Pallets
Get a quote for any size or grade.
Why Wood Pallets?
Wood pallets remain the global standard for shipping and storage, accounting for over 90% of all pallets in circulation. Their versatility, repairability, and cost-effectiveness make them the go-to choice for businesses of all sizes.
At Bakersfield Pallet Co., we specialize in used wood pallets — giving these workhorses a second, third, or even fourth life. Our recycled wood pallets deliver the same performance as new at a fraction of the cost.
Every wood pallet we sell has been through our multi-point inspection process. We check for structural integrity, board condition, protruding nails, and dimensional accuracy.
Wood pallets are also the most environmentally friendly option when sourced through recycling programs. By purchasing used wood pallets, you are diverting material from landfills and reducing the demand for virgin lumber. Our Sustainability Director, Wren Castellano, has helped us build relationships with over 40 local businesses who contribute to our pallet recycling program.
For international shipping, we offer ISPM-15 compliant heat treatment that eliminates wood-boring pests and meets the requirements of over 180 countries. Every heat-treated pallet receives the internationally recognized HT stamp.
Available Grades
Minimal wear, no broken boards, clean appearance. Suitable for retail-facing and export shipments. Boards are tight with no more than minor surface scuffing. All stringers or blocks are intact with no repairs. Nails are flush. This is our premium recycled grade — these pallets look nearly new and are ideal when your pallet will be visible to end customers.
Common uses: Retail display, branded shipments, food-adjacent warehousing, pharmaceutical support loads.
Some wear and discoloration but structurally sound. May have minor repairs such as replaced deck boards. This is our most popular grade and represents the best balance of cost and quality. Pallets may show some staining or fading but all boards are firmly attached and load-bearing capacity is uncompromised.
Common uses: General warehousing, distribution centers, internal logistics, non-retail shipping.
Shows significant wear, may have multiple repairs and staining. Fully functional for one-way shipping and storage. These pallets may have darker discoloration, replaced boards of varying wood types, and visible nail repairs. They are structurally sound but not suited for retail-facing or multi-trip applications.
Common uses: One-way shipping, construction materials, heavy goods that will be immediately removed from the pallet.
Brand new pallets built to standard or custom specifications. Available for orders requiring new materials. Constructed from kiln-dried or green lumber (your choice) using ring-shank nails for maximum holding strength. We can build to GMA standards or your custom blueprint.
Common uses: Custom applications, export compliance, specific customer requirements, automated systems requiring exact tolerances.
Detailed Size Specifications
We carry all standard pallet sizes used in North American logistics. Below are the detailed specifications for each size, including load capacities, typical weights, and recommended applications.
48" x 40" (GMA / GROCERY)
GMA Standard — Grocery, Retail, General Freight
The most widely used pallet size in North America. Accounts for approximately 30% of all new wood pallets produced annually. Fits standard 53-foot trailer configurations (20 pallets per load, double-stacked). Compatible with all major grocery, retail, and general freight systems. This is the default size for most businesses and the one we stock in the highest volume.
42" x 42" (TELECOM / PAINT)
Telecom, Paint, Chemical
The telecommunications industry standard. Also widely used in the paint and coatings industry. The square footprint provides equal support in all orientations and works well with round containers like paint cans and wire spools. Less common than the GMA size but consistently in demand in the Central Valley due to the region's agricultural chemical and coating suppliers.
48" x 48" (CHEMICAL / DRUMS)
Chemical, Beverage, Drums, Bulk Materials
The standard for the chemical industry and drum storage. The 48x48 square footprint perfectly accommodates a four-drum configuration (4 x 55-gallon drums). Also popular in the beverage industry for bulk distribution. Block-style construction is common in this size for superior racking performance. We maintain high inventory of this size given the Central Valley's agricultural chemical sector.
48" x 45" (AUTOMOTIVE)
Automotive Parts, Manufacturing
The automotive industry standard established by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG). Designed to maximize trailer utilization in automotive parts distribution. The extra 5 inches of width compared to GMA pallets provides additional surface area for larger auto parts containers. Less common in general circulation but essential for automotive supply chains.
44" x 44" (CHEMICAL / DRUMS)
Chemical, Drummed Goods
An alternative chemical industry size used for certain drum configurations and smaller bulk containers. Less common than the 48x48 but preferred by some chemical distributors for specific container sizes. The slightly smaller footprint saves space in some warehouse racking configurations.
36" x 36" (BEVERAGE)
Beverage Distribution, Small Loads
A smaller pallet size popular in beverage distribution and for lighter, smaller loads. The compact footprint works well for point-of-sale displays and smaller retail environments. Also used in some food service distribution for portion-sized cases. We can build these to custom specifications for unique display or storage needs.
48" x 36" (BEVERAGE / PAPER)
Beverage, Paper, Publishing
Popular in the beverage and paper industries. The 48" length matches standard rack beam spacing while the 36" depth keeps the pallet compact. Commonly used for cases of bottled water, canned beverages, and paper products. Can be configured as two-way or four-way entry depending on your handling equipment.
Custom Sizes
Specialty Applications, Any Industry
Need a non-standard size? We build custom pallets to your exact dimensions. Common custom requests include oversized pallets for machinery, narrow pallets for tight aisles, and half-pallets for retail display. Minimum order quantities apply for custom builds — typically 50 pallets. Lead time is usually 5 to 10 business days depending on complexity and lumber availability.
Stringer Pallets vs. Block Pallets
Understanding the difference between stringer and block construction is essential for choosing the right pallet for your application. Each design has distinct advantages depending on your handling equipment, storage system, and load requirements.
Stringer Pallets
Stringer pallets use two or three parallel boards (stringers) running between the top and bottom deck boards. The stringers provide the main structural support. Notches are cut into the stringers to allow fork entry from all four sides (four-way entry), though entry from the notched sides has limited clearance.
Specifications
Best Applications
Block Pallets
Block pallets use solid wood or composite blocks (typically 6 to 12 blocks) positioned between the top and bottom deck boards. This design provides true four-way entry with full fork clearance from any side. Block pallets are generally stronger and more durable than stringer pallets, making them preferred for racking, automation, and heavy loads.
Specifications
Best Applications
Lumber Types Used in Our Pallets
The type of lumber used in a pallet affects its weight, strength, durability, and cost. We use several lumber species depending on the grade, application, and customer requirements.
Southern Yellow Pine (SYP)
Strong, widely available, moderate weight. The most common pallet lumber in the United States.
Used for: General purpose pallets, new builds, structural stringers
Oak (Red & White)
Very strong and dense hardwood. Excellent for heavy-duty applications but significantly heavier than softwood options.
Used for: Heavy-duty pallets, block pallets, industrial applications
Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF)
Lightweight softwood blend common in Canadian lumber. Good strength-to-weight ratio for shipping applications.
Used for: Lightweight pallets, export pallets, one-way shipping
Poplar / Cottonwood
Light hardwood with moderate strength. Often used for deck boards in combination with stronger stringer lumber.
Used for: Deck boards, lightweight applications, recycled pallets
Mixed Hardwood
Recycled pallets often contain a mix of hardwood species. This provides good structural performance at the lowest cost.
Used for: Grade B and C recycled pallets, economy applications
Kiln-Dried (KD) Lumber
Any species that has been kiln-dried to reduce moisture content below 19%. Required for some applications and all ISPM-15 heat treatment.
Used for: Export pallets, food-grade, pharmaceutical-adjacent, ISPM-15
Heat Treatment & ISPM-15 Compliance
International Shipments of wood pallets are regulated under ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15), a set of guidelines developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). The standard requires that all wood packaging material used in international trade be treated to eliminate wood-boring pests.
At Bakersfield Pallet Co., we operate a certified heat treatment chamber that heats the core of the wood to a minimum of 56 degrees Celsius (132.8 degrees Fahrenheit) for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes. This process is monitored with calibrated temperature probes and documented for every batch.
Once treated, each pallet is stamped with the internationally recognized IPPC/HT mark, which includes our facility registration number, the country code (US), and the treatment type (HT). This stamp is accepted by customs authorities in over 180 countries.
Heat treatment does not affect the structural integrity of the pallet. In fact, the process can slightly harden softwood lumber and reduce moisture content, which may improve dimensional stability. We recommend heat treatment for any pallet that will cross international borders, even if not strictly required, as regulations can change and enforcement varies by country.
Heat Treatment Specifications
When Heat Treatment Is Required
Wood Pallet Applications by Industry
Wood pallets serve virtually every industry, but the optimal size, grade, and construction type varies. Here are the most common configurations we supply for key industries in the Central Valley and beyond.
Agriculture & Produce
48x40 GMA, Grade B/C
Ventilated deck board spacing for airflow. Often used once per season and returned to recycling. High volume orders are common during harvest season from June through October in the Central Valley.
Grocery & Retail
48x40 GMA, Grade A/B
Clean appearance for store-facing pallets. Grade A for display areas; Grade B for back-of-house. High inventory turnover means frequent reordering — we can set up recurring delivery schedules.
Food & Beverage
48x40 or 48x48, HT, Grade A
Heat-treated for food safety compliance. Clean, splinter-free boards. Some food manufacturers require new pallets only — we can accommodate both new builds and premium recycled.
Chemical & Hazmat
48x48 or 44x44, Block, Grade B
Block construction for drum stability. The square footprint fits standard 55-gallon drum configurations. Heavy-duty construction with additional deck boards for weight distribution.
Automotive
48x45, Stringer, Grade B
The AIAG standard size for automotive parts distribution. We carry a dedicated inventory of 48x45 pallets for the automotive sector. Available in both stringer and block configurations.
Construction
48x40 or Custom, Grade C
Economy-grade pallets are ideal for construction materials that will be offloaded at the job site. Grade C provides full structural support at the lowest per-unit cost. Often used once and then recycled.
Manufacturing
Various sizes, Grade B, New
Manufacturing facilities often need a mix of standard and custom sizes. We can supply an ongoing mix of recycled and new pallets based on your production schedule and material flow.
E-Commerce Fulfillment
48x40 GMA, Grade A/B
High-volume fulfillment centers use thousands of GMA pallets monthly. Grade A for outbound retail shipments; Grade B for internal warehouse operations. We offer scheduled weekly delivery for fulfillment centers.
International Export
48x40 or Custom, HT, Grade A/B
All export pallets must comply with ISPM-15. We provide heat-treated pallets with the IPPC stamp for hassle-free customs clearance. Custom sizes available for international container optimization.
Wood Pallet Pricing Guide
Wood pallet pricing depends on size, grade, construction type, and order volume. Below are approximate price ranges for our most common products. Contact us for a firm quote based on your specific requirements.
48x40 GMA — Grade C (Economy)
Per pallet, 100+ unit orders
48x40 GMA — Grade B (Good)
Per pallet, 100+ unit orders
48x40 GMA — Grade A (Like New)
Per pallet, 100+ unit orders
48x40 GMA — New Build
Per pallet, 50+ unit orders
48x48 Block — Grade B
Per pallet, 50+ unit orders
42x42 Stringer — Grade B
Per pallet, 50+ unit orders
Heat Treatment (ISPM-15)
Per pallet, added to base price
Custom Build (any size)
Per pallet, 50+ unit minimum
Prices fluctuate based on lumber market conditions, seasonal demand, and fuel costs. Volume discounts of 5% to 25% are available for orders over 100 pallets. Contact us for current pricing and availability.
Quick Reference: Common Wood Pallet Sizes
GMA Standard — Grocery, Retail
Telecom, Paint Industry
Chemical, Beverage, Drums
Automotive Industry
Chemical, Drums
Beverage Distribution