Frequently Asked Questions

Our standard minimum order is 50 pallets for local delivery in the Fresno metro area. For orders under 50 pallets, we offer a pickup option from our facility. For large-volume customers ordering 500+ pallets, we provide significant volume discounts and dedicated account management. Contact us for a custom quote tailored to your needs.

You can request a quote through our website contact form or by emailing info@fresnopallets.com. To provide the most accurate pricing, please include the pallet size, grade, quantity, and delivery location. We typically respond within 2 business hours during operating hours.

Yes. We offer tiered pricing based on order volume. Discounts generally begin at 200+ pallets and increase at 500, 1,000, and 5,000+ unit thresholds. We also offer contract pricing for businesses with recurring weekly or monthly orders. Our contract customers enjoy the most competitive rates and priority fulfillment.

We accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), ACH bank transfers, company checks, and wire transfers. Net-30 terms are available for established business accounts with approved credit. For first-time orders, we typically require payment upon delivery (COD) or prepayment.

Yes, we offer recurring order programs for businesses with predictable pallet needs. You can schedule weekly, biweekly, or monthly deliveries at a locked-in contract price. Recurring orders receive priority fulfillment and guaranteed stock availability, which is especially valuable during peak agricultural seasons in the Central Valley when demand spikes. Contact us at info@fresnopallets.com to discuss a recurring delivery plan.

No, all quotes and consultations are completely free of charge. We are happy to visit your facility, assess your pallet needs, recommend the most cost-effective solution, and provide a detailed written quote with no obligation. For businesses new to pallet procurement, we also offer guidance on choosing the right size, grade, and treatment for your specific application. Simply email info@fresnopallets.com or use our contact form to get started.

Standard orders can be modified or cancelled with at least 24 hours notice before the scheduled delivery date at no charge. Custom-manufactured pallets that are already in production cannot be cancelled, but we will work with you to adjust quantities or delivery timing. If you need to make changes to a confirmed order, reach out as soon as possible and our team will accommodate your needs wherever we can.

Grade A pallets are in like-new condition with no repairs, stains, or damage. Grade B pallets are in good condition with minor cosmetic imperfections and possibly 1-2 repaired boards. Grade C pallets show visible wear with multiple repairs but remain structurally sound. Economy grade pallets have extensive wear and are best for one-time use. Visit our Pallet Grades page for a comprehensive comparison.

For food-grade applications, we recommend Grade A pallets. Many retailers and food safety regulations require pallets that are clean, free of contamination, and in excellent structural condition. If you are shipping to major retailers like Walmart or Costco, Grade A is typically mandatory. For internal food warehouse transfers, Grade B may be acceptable depending on your facility requirements.

Yes. We welcome customers to visit our facility to inspect pallet samples of each grade. This helps you understand exactly what you will receive. We can also send photos of representative pallets for each grade upon request. For large orders, we encourage an in-person visit to ensure the grade meets your expectations.

Every pallet that leaves our facility goes through a multi-point inspection process. Our trained team checks for structural integrity, board condition, fastener security, dimensional accuracy, and cleanliness. Recycled pallets are inspected for broken or missing boards, protruding nails, contamination, and excessive wear. Any pallet that does not meet the standards for its assigned grade is either repaired, downgraded, or dismantled for lumber recovery. This process ensures consistent quality across every order.

A combo or mixed-grade load contains a mix of Grade B and Grade C pallets, typically in approximately a 50/50 ratio. This is a cost-effective option for customers who need functional pallets for general warehousing, internal transfers, or one-way shipments where cosmetic appearance is not a priority. The structural integrity of every pallet in a combo load is still verified, so you can trust they will perform safely. Many of our Central Valley agricultural customers choose combo loads during peak harvest season for maximum value.

ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is an international regulation that requires all wood packaging materials used in international trade to be heat treated or fumigated to prevent the spread of invasive pests and plant diseases. Heat treatment involves raising the core temperature of the wood to 56 degrees Celsius (132.8 degrees Fahrenheit) for a minimum of 30 minutes. Pallets that meet this standard bear the HT stamp.

You need heat-treated pallets if you are shipping goods internationally. Most countries require ISPM-15 compliant packaging for all imported wood packaging materials. Even for domestic shipments, some industries and retailers prefer heat-treated pallets for hygiene reasons, particularly in food, pharmaceutical, and medical supply chains. We recommend heat treatment for any pallets used in food-contact or export applications.

Every ISPM-15 compliant pallet is branded with a specific stamp that includes the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) logo, the two-letter country code (US for United States), a unique facility registration number assigned by APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), and the treatment code "HT" for heat treatment. This stamp is typically burned or ink-stamped onto at least two sides of the pallet. If you cannot locate the stamp or it is illegible, the pallet should not be used for international shipment, as customs officials may reject it at the border.

Heat treatment at ISPM-15 standard temperatures (56 degrees Celsius core temperature for 30 minutes) has negligible impact on the structural integrity of the wood. The process does slightly reduce moisture content, which can actually make the wood slightly stronger and lighter. However, excessive or repeated heat treatments at temperatures well above the standard could potentially weaken wood fibers. Our heat treatment process is carefully monitored with calibrated temperature probes to ensure we meet the standard without over-treating the lumber.

The most common wood species used in pallet manufacturing in the United States are southern yellow pine, oak, and mixed hardwoods. In the western US, Douglas fir and various pine species are also widely used. Southern yellow pine is favored for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and widespread availability. Oak and other hardwoods are used when higher load capacity and durability are required. At Fresno Pallets, we use a mix of species depending on availability and the performance requirements of the order, and we can specify a particular species upon request for customers with strict material requirements.

Hardwood pallets (oak, maple, birch) are denser, heavier, and more resistant to damage, making them ideal for heavy loads, racking applications, and repeated reuse cycles. They can also be more difficult to repair because hardwood is tougher to nail into. Softwood pallets (pine, spruce, fir) are lighter, easier to manufacture and repair, and generally less expensive. Softwood absorbs heat treatment more readily, which can be an advantage for ISPM-15 compliance. For most general-purpose applications, softwood pallets provide the best balance of cost, performance, and weight. For heavy-duty or high-cycle applications, hardwood is the better investment.

Stringer pallets use two or three long boards (called stringers) running the length of the pallet to support the deck boards. They are the most common pallet design in North America and are less expensive to manufacture. Block pallets use solid wood blocks (typically nine) at the corners, center, and midpoints to support the deck, creating a stronger and more versatile design. Block pallets are true four-way entry pallets, meaning a forklift can pick them up from any side, whereas stringer pallets are technically two-way entry unless notches are cut into the stringers for partial four-way access. Block pallets are more common in European markets and in industries where four-way access and high load capacity are critical.

Pallets are assembled using a variety of fasteners depending on the application and performance requirements. Standard pallets use helically threaded (spiral) or annularly threaded (ring shank) nails, which provide superior withdrawal resistance compared to smooth nails. Some high-performance pallets use screws for even greater holding power. Automated pallet assembly equipment typically drives nails pneumatically at high speed. At Fresno Pallets, we use industry-standard helically threaded nails for our new pallet manufacturing and repairs, ensuring that boards stay securely fastened even under the stress of heavy loads and forklift handling.

A rackable pallet is designed to span the open beams of a warehouse racking system without sagging or breaking under load. This requires stronger construction — thicker deck boards, additional bottom boards, and a higher-grade lumber selection. Rackable pallets must support the full load with only two edges resting on the rack beams, which puts significant stress on the deck. A stackable pallet, by contrast, only needs to support weight when resting on a flat surface (floor stacking) or when stacked on top of another loaded pallet. If you are using selective pallet racking in your warehouse, make sure to specify rackable-grade pallets when ordering, as standard pallets may flex or fail in racking applications.

Yes. We manufacture heavy-duty pallets engineered for loads exceeding standard weight capacities. Reinforced pallets feature thicker stringers (typically 2x4 or 2x6 instead of standard 1x4), additional deck boards to reduce span distance, higher-grade lumber, and more fasteners per joint. We can build pallets rated for static loads of 10,000+ lbs for applications such as machinery, engines, steel coils, and industrial equipment. When you request a heavy-duty pallet, our team will work with you to understand the exact load weight, dimensions, and handling requirements, then engineer a pallet design that meets or exceeds those specifications.

As of current international trade regulations, virtually all countries that are signatories to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) require ISPM-15 compliant wood packaging materials for imports. This includes all member states of the European Union, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Australia, India, Brazil, and more than 180 other countries. The United States requires ISPM-15 compliance for all inbound wood packaging as well. If you are exporting goods in any wood packaging — pallets, crates, dunnage — you should assume ISPM-15 compliance is required unless you have confirmed otherwise with your buyer or customs broker.

Yes, used and recycled pallets can be shipped internationally as long as they bear a valid ISPM-15 compliance stamp. The stamp must be legible and visible on the pallet. If a used pallet has been repaired using untreated lumber, it must be re-treated and re-stamped before it can be used for international shipment. At Fresno Pallets, all of our heat-treated pallets — whether new or recycled — carry a valid ISPM-15 stamp. If you are purchasing recycled pallets specifically for export, let us know at the time of order so we can ensure every pallet in your shipment has a clear, legible stamp.

Both fumigation and heat treatment are approved methods under ISPM-15 for sanitizing wood packaging materials, but they work very differently. Heat treatment (HT) uses thermal energy to raise the wood's core temperature to 56 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes, killing pests through sustained heat. Fumigation, specifically methyl bromide treatment (MB), uses a chemical gas to kill pests. However, methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance, and many countries — including all EU member states, Canada, and China — have banned or restricted methyl bromide-treated packaging. For this reason, heat treatment is the preferred and most universally accepted method. At Fresno Pallets, we exclusively use heat treatment.

For most international shipments, the ISPM-15 stamp on the pallet itself is the primary form of compliance documentation — no separate phytosanitary certificate is needed for standard wood packaging. However, you should ensure that your commercial invoice and packing list accurately describe the wood packaging materials used. Some countries may require additional documentation such as a phytosanitary certificate for specific commodity types or during pest outbreak alerts. We recommend consulting with your freight forwarder or customs broker about destination-specific requirements. Fresno Pallets can provide certificates of treatment and compliance letters upon request to supplement your shipping documentation.

No. Both Mexico and Canada are signatories to the IPPC and require ISPM-15 compliant wood packaging for all imports. This has been enforced since 2005 for Canada and 2009 for Mexico. Non-compliant wood packaging can be refused entry at the border, resulting in costly delays, re-treatment charges, fines, or forced return of the shipment. Given the significant volume of cross-border trade between the US, Canada, and Mexico, we strongly recommend defaulting to heat-treated pallets for any shipment that might cross an international border, even if it is initially intended for domestic use.

Proper storage significantly extends the usable life of your pallets. Store pallets in a dry, well-ventilated area, ideally under cover or indoors. If outdoor storage is unavoidable, elevate the bottom pallet off the ground on concrete blocks or runners to prevent moisture absorption from the soil. Avoid stacking pallets more than 15 high, as excessive stacking weight can damage the pallets at the bottom of the stack. Keep pallets away from standing water, sprinkler zones, and areas prone to flooding. In the Central Valley, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, avoid storing pallets in direct prolonged sunlight, as UV exposure and heat can dry out and crack the wood over time.

Before putting a pallet into service, perform a quick visual and physical inspection. Check the top and bottom deck boards for cracks, splits, or missing boards. Ensure no nails are protruding above the surface, as these can damage products or injure workers. Verify that the stringers or blocks are intact with no major cracks running through them. Give the pallet a light push test — if it flexes or wobbles excessively, it may not be structurally sound. Look for signs of mold, stains, or chemical contamination, especially if the pallet will be used for food or pharmaceutical products. If the pallet is intended for export, verify that the ISPM-15 heat treatment stamp is visible and legible. A 30-second inspection can prevent product damage, workplace injuries, and shipping delays.

A pallet should be retired from use when it exhibits any of the following: more than two broken or missing deck boards, a cracked stringer (the long support boards that run the length of the pallet), excessive board separation or warping that prevents stable load support, widespread mold or fungal growth that cannot be cleaned, contamination from chemicals or hazardous materials, or significant nail pop (nails protruding above the deck surface). Additionally, if a pallet has been repaired multiple times and the remaining original lumber is visibly fatigued, it is safer to retire it. Retired pallets should not be discarded — contact us at info@fresnopallets.com and we will pick them up for dismantling and lumber recovery.

The lifespan of a pallet depends on its construction, the wood species used, the operating environment, and how it is handled. A well-built new hardwood pallet in a controlled warehouse environment can last 10 years or more through dozens of use cycles. A softwood pallet used in a rough distribution environment may last 3-5 years. On average, a standard 48" x 40" pallet circulates through the supply chain 7-10 times over a 3-5 year period before it requires significant repair or retirement. Proper handling — avoiding dropping pallets, not dragging them, and using appropriate forklift techniques — is the single biggest factor in extending pallet life. Investing in slightly higher-grade pallets upfront often results in lower total cost of ownership over time.

Yes, most damaged pallets can be repaired, and it is almost always more economical than buying new. A typical pallet repair — replacing one or two broken deck boards and re-securing loose nails — costs a fraction of the price of a new pallet. Even pallets that need extensive repairs (three or more boards replaced, stringer reinforcement) are usually worth repairing. The break-even point is generally around 50-60% of the pallet being damaged; beyond that, dismantling for parts is more cost-effective. At Fresno Pallets, we repair thousands of pallets every week, and we guarantee that every repaired pallet meets the structural standards for its assigned grade. If you have a stockpile of damaged pallets, we offer on-site repair services or can transport them to our facility for repair.