48x40 / STR / A-B
Used pallets, sorted by size and grade
Used pallets are sold by size and grade: grade A has had no repairs, grade B has had boards, plates or plugs replaced, and grade C looks rough and carries several repairs. Name the size and the grade you can accept and the request is ready to price.
- Common size
- 48 x 40 in
- Typical weight
- 33-49 lb empty
- Grades
- A, B, C
01 Grades in plain terms
| Grade | What you will see | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Also called grade 1. No repairs, none needed | Clean lines, food-adjacent docks, loads that go to a customer |
| Grade B | Also called grade 2. Replaced deck boards, plates or plugs | Most outbound freight and internal moves |
| Grade C | Also called grade 3. Rough look, usually several repairs, deck boards may not be whole | Internal staging, one-way loads, or rebuilding stock |
The grading is not a regulated scale. The GMA organization no longer governs pallet specifications, so buyers and sellers trade on written descriptions such as these. That is a good reason to say the grade in words on your request, and to ask for the size in inches.
02 Sizes you can ask for
| Size | Metric | Deck area | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 x 40 | 1,219 x 1,016 mm | 13.3 sq ft | GMA standard |
| 48 x 48 | 1,219 x 1,219 mm | 16.0 sq ft | drums, totes |
| 42 x 42 | 1,067 x 1,067 mm | 12.3 sq ft | telecommunications, paint |
| 48 x 45 | 1,219 x 1,143 mm | 15.0 sq ft | automotive |
| 48 x 42 | 1,219 x 1,067 mm | 14.0 sq ft | chemical, beverage |
| 800 x 1200 mm | 1,200 x 800 mm | 10.3 sq ft | Euro |
Deck area is length times width. A 48 x 40 deck is 13.3 square feet, close to the 13.3 sq ft that trade sources quote for the American standard pallet, and a 48 x 48 gives 16.0 sq ft.
03 What to send with the request
- Size in inches, for example 48 x 40, and say if a few inches either way would still work.
- Grade you can accept: A only, A or B, or any grade that is structurally sound.
- A rough count and whether it repeats weekly or once.
- Delivery ZIP and whether the dock has a lift gate or a ground-level door.
- Heat treatment, if the pallets will cross a border.
04 Checking a used load
A used pallet is judged by its stringers and its deck boards. A cracked stringer is the commonest repair and it is where a pallet most often fails when picked up. A plug is a short board nailed beside a broken one and can run from 6 to 24 inches. A plate is a metal plate hammered over a split stringer or block. Both are normal on grade B, and both are worth reading before you accept a load.
- Run a hand along the stringers: splits at the fork pockets are the ones that matter.
- Check that deck boards are fastened at every stringer, not just at the ends.
- Look for a bleached, dusty surface that suggests mould, and read the guide on moisture.
- Check for coloured paint or brand marks that mean a pooled pallet. Those belong to a pool, as described on the pooled pallet page.
05 Used, combo or new
A combo pallet is remanufactured from a mix of recycled and new lumber, so it is stronger and more consistent than a used pallet and cheaper than an all-new build. If your load keeps outgrowing grade B, look at combo before jumping to new. If the load needs a specific size or fastener, new built to a spec sheet is the safer route.
06 Used pallets across the metro
Used 48 x 40 stock is the everyday supply for distribution centers along the airport corridor, in New Stanton and in Cranberry. Plants on the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela valleys more often ask for 48 x 48 and block builds, where used supply is thinner and a spec matters more. Browse the areas to see what each stretch of the region ships.
Q Questions
Are used pallets safe for food?
A pallet is lumber, so ask for grade A and say the load is food-adjacent. Mould and spills are the concern, not the wood itself.
What if I need two sizes?
List both. A request can carry a main spec and a second one.
Does grade A mean new?
No. New means built from all-new lumber. Grade A is a used pallet that has not been repaired.
Can I mix grades A and B in one order?
Yes. Say the share you want of each, or say 'A or B' and let the reply decide by what is sorted and available.
Src Sources
Req Send the request
Say what you need or what you have. The form is short, and the optional second step takes the details.