Buying used pallets is a smart economic and environmental choice, but not all used pallets are created equal. A thorough inspection before purchase protects you from receiving pallets that could fail under load, damage your products, contaminate food-grade goods, or cause safety hazards in your facility. Whether you are buying from a recycler, picking up pallets from a secondary source, or evaluating pallets received on inbound shipments, knowing what to look for is essential.
The Five-Point Inspection Framework
Professional pallet inspectors use a systematic approach that evaluates five key areas. You can apply this same framework whether you are inspecting one pallet or a truckload.
Point 1: Structural Integrity
The most critical inspection area. A pallet that looks fine on the surface but has compromised structural components can fail catastrophically under load, potentially causing product damage, equipment damage, and worker injury.
Stringers (for stringer pallets): Examine each stringer for cracks, splits, and breaks. Run your hand along the stringer — you can often feel cracks that are not visually obvious. Pay special attention to the notch areas on notched stringers, as these are stress concentration points where cracks commonly originate. A stringer with a crack longer than 4 inches or a complete break should be rejected.
Blocks (for block pallets): Check all nine blocks for cracks, splits, crushing, and loose connections. Blocks should be firmly attached to the stringer boards and should not shift or rotate when pushed.
Deck boards: Press down on each deck board near the center and at the edges where it meets the stringer. The board should feel solid and rigid. A board that deflects more than a quarter inch under hand pressure may be weakened and prone to failure under load. Check for cracks — especially cracks that run perpendicular to the grain (cross-grain cracks), which indicate serious structural compromise.
Nails and fasteners: Look for protruding, bent, or missing nails. Shake the pallet gently and listen for rattling, which indicates loose fasteners. Nails that have backed out or are bent sideways suggest the pallet has been subjected to forces that may have weakened the overall structure.
Point 2: Board Condition
Beyond structural integrity, the condition of individual boards affects the pallet's performance, safety, and suitability for various applications.
Checking and splitting: Small surface checks (cracks along the grain) are normal wear and generally acceptable. However, splits that extend through the full thickness of a board or span more than half the board's length are structurally significant and reduce the board's load-carrying capacity.
Decay and rot: Press your thumbnail into the wood. If it sinks in easily or the wood feels soft and spongy, decay has compromised the board. In Albuquerque's dry climate, decay is less common than in humid regions, but pallets that have been stored in wet conditions or exposed to standing water can still develop rot.
Warping and twist: Lay the pallet on a flat surface and check for wobble. A pallet that does not sit flat is warped or twisted. Minor warping (less than a quarter inch) is generally acceptable for manual handling but may cause problems in automated systems. Severe warping should be rejected.
Point 3: Contamination
Contaminated pallets can transfer harmful substances to your products or your facility.
Chemical stains and odors: Look for dark stains that are not consistent with normal wood coloring. Smell the pallet — a strong chemical odor indicates possible contamination from spills during previous use. Chemical-contaminated pallets should be rejected, especially for food, pharmaceutical, or consumer product applications.
Mold: While uncommon in Albuquerque's dry climate, pallets sourced from other regions or stored in damp conditions can carry mold. Look for fuzzy patches, black spots, or discolored areas, particularly on the undersides and between boards where moisture can accumulate. Surface mold can sometimes be cleaned, but deeply penetrated mold growth means the pallet should be rejected for food-grade use.
Pest evidence: Look for small round holes (woodworm or beetle exit holes), sawdust piles (indicating active boring), and bark remnants that could harbor insects. ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets (marked with the HT stamp) have been treated to eliminate pests, but re-infestation can occur in storage.
Point 4: Stamp and Markings
Pallet stamps provide important information about treatment, origin, and specifications.
ISPM-15 mark: If you need ISPM-15 compliant pallets for export, verify that the mark is present, legible, and includes all required elements (IPPC logo, country code, facility number, and HT treatment code).
Owner marks: Some pallets are marked with company logos or names indicating ownership. CHEP pallets are blue with white CHEP markings. PECO pallets are red with PECO markings. These are rental pallets owned by pooling companies and are not available for purchase — using them without authorization can result in claims for rental fees.
Grade marks: Some recyclers apply grade marks indicating the pallet's condition rating. Familiarize yourself with your supplier's grading system to ensure you are receiving the grade you ordered.
Point 5: Overall Fit for Purpose
Finally, evaluate whether the pallet is appropriate for your specific use case. Confirm that the dimensions match your requirements. Verify that the entry type (two-way or four-way) is compatible with your handling equipment. Assess whether the pallet's weight is acceptable for your operations. And consider whether the pallet's appearance meets your customer-facing requirements if applicable.
Building a Relationship with a Trusted Supplier
The most effective way to ensure consistent pallet quality is to build a relationship with a reputable recycled pallet supplier who inspects and grades pallets before sale. At Albuquerque Pallets, every pallet we sell has already passed our inspection process. We grade pallets to clearly defined standards and stand behind the quality of our products.
When you buy from us, you can specify the grade you need and trust that the pallets delivered will meet that standard. If any pallet does not meet grade upon delivery, we replace it. This quality assurance saves you the time and effort of inspecting every individual pallet yourself, while ensuring you receive the quality your operations require. Contact us today to discuss your pallet needs.