Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our pallets, services, and ordering process.
Products & Grades
What types of pallets do you sell?
We sell a complete range of pallets including used pallets in Grade A, B, and C conditions, new custom-built pallets, and heat-treated (HT) pallets for international shipping. We carry the standard 48x40 GMA pallets that represent the industry standard, plus various other sizes including 42x42, 48x48, 36x36, and custom dimensions built to your specifications.
What's the difference between Grade A, B, and C pallets?
Grade A pallets are in like-new condition with no broken boards, minimal wear, and clean appearance—ideal for retail displays, food/pharmaceutical use, and automated systems. Grade B pallets show some wear and may have minor repairs but are fully functional for general warehousing and shipping. Grade C pallets have visible wear and multiple repairs, best for one-way shipping, internal storage, or budget-conscious applications where appearance doesn't matter.
How do I know which grade I need?
Consider your use case: Grade A for customer-facing applications, automated systems, or when appearance matters. Grade B for general warehouse use, domestic shipping, and manufacturing where function is more important than looks. Grade C for one-time shipping, internal use, or projects where cost is the primary concern. Our team can help you assess your needs—often a mix of grades is the most cost-effective approach.
Do you have heat-treated pallets?
Yes! We maintain a large inventory of ISPM-15 certified heat-treated pallets, both new and used. We also offer heat treatment services for pallets you already own. Our facility is certified and we stamp all HT pallets with the proper IPPC mark required for international shipping. Same-day heat treatment is available for urgent needs.
What sizes do you carry in stock?
We always have 48x40 (GMA standard) pallets in all grades. We typically stock 42x42, 48x48, 48x42, and 36x36 sizes as well. For other dimensions, we can source them quickly or build custom pallets to your exact specifications—usually within 2-3 business days.
Can you build custom size pallets?
Absolutely. Our manufacturing facility can build pallets to any dimension you need. We can customize length, width, deck board spacing, stringer dimensions, entry type (2-way or 4-way), and more. Custom pallets typically have a 50-100 unit minimum and 2-5 day lead time depending on complexity. Get a quote through our contact form.
Pricing & Payment
What are your prices?
Prices vary by grade, quantity, and current market conditions. As a general guide: Grade C starts around $4-6, Grade B around $8-10, Grade A around $12-14, and new pallets from $18-25. Volume discounts are available starting at 100 units. Heat-treated pallets carry a small premium. Contact us for current pricing and a custom quote—we're often able to beat competitors on price while maintaining quality.
Do you offer volume discounts?
Yes! We offer tiered discounts: 5% off for 100-499 pallets, 10% off for 500-999 pallets, and 15% off for 1,000+ pallets. For enterprise-level volumes (10,000+ annually), we offer custom pricing programs with additional benefits like locked rates, priority delivery, and dedicated account management.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, check, ACH bank transfer, and all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). For businesses with established credit, we offer Net-30 terms after approval. First-time orders typically require payment on delivery (COD) or prepayment.
Is there a minimum order?
There's no minimum for pickup orders at our facility. For delivery, we typically require a minimum of 20 pallets in our core service area (Austin metro), though this may be flexible depending on your location and order frequency. Smaller quantities can be delivered for an additional fee.
How much does delivery cost?
Delivery is FREE for orders over $500 in our core service area (Austin and surrounding 30-mile radius). For smaller orders, delivery fees start at $35. Extended service area (30-60 miles) has a $50-75 delivery fee, waived for larger orders. Long-distance delivery (outside 60 miles) is quoted individually. Same-day rush delivery adds $75-150 depending on distance.
Selling & Buyback
Do you buy used pallets?
Yes! We actively purchase used pallets of all grades and conditions. We buy standard 48x40 pallets as well as many other common sizes. Contact us with details about your pallets (quantity, size, condition, location) and we'll provide a quote within 24 hours. We pay based on grade and quantity, with higher per-pallet prices for larger volumes.
How much will you pay for my pallets?
Prices vary by condition and quantity. General guidelines: Grade A quality pallets up to $6-8 each, Grade B up to $3-5 each, Grade C up to $1-2 each. For larger volumes (500+), we pay premium rates and can often arrange same-day pickup. Prices also vary by current market conditions. Get an exact quote by contacting us with your pallet details.
Do you pick up pallets for purchase?
Yes! We provide FREE pickup for qualifying volumes—typically 50+ pallets in our service area. For smaller quantities, we can arrange pickup for a small fee, or you can bring them to our facility. We also offer scheduled recurring pickups for businesses that generate pallets regularly.
What condition do pallets need to be in to sell?
We buy pallets in any condition—from like-new to heavily damaged. Even broken pallets have value as we repair and recycle them. The better the condition, the more we pay. Pallets should be reasonably dry and free of contamination (chemicals, food waste). When in doubt, send us photos and we'll make an offer.
Delivery & Pickup
What areas do you deliver to?
We deliver throughout Central Texas with our own fleet. Our core service area includes Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, San Marcos, Kyle, Pflugerville, Leander, Bastrop, and surrounding communities (roughly 30-mile radius). Extended service reaches New Braunfels, San Antonio, Temple, and more. For large orders, we deliver statewide and beyond.
How fast can you deliver?
Same-day delivery is available for orders placed by 10 AM (rush fee applies). Our standard service is next business day delivery. For urgent needs, we can often accommodate even faster turnaround—call us to discuss. Scheduled recurring deliveries can be set up for any day of the week.
What are your delivery hours?
Standard delivery hours are 6 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. We offer early morning (5-7 AM) and evening (5-9 PM) delivery windows by special arrangement. Saturday delivery is available for an additional fee. We'll work with your receiving schedule to ensure someone is available.
Can you deliver to locations without a loading dock?
Yes! Our box trucks are equipped with liftgates for ground-level delivery. For flatbed deliveries to locations without docks, we can arrange forklift unloading, or you'll need equipment on-site to unload. Let us know your facility setup when ordering and we'll recommend the best delivery method.
Can I pick up at your facility?
Absolutely! Our facility at 4201 Supply Ct, Austin, TX 78744 is open for pickups Monday-Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. For pickup orders, you'll need appropriate transportation—a trailer, flatbed, or truck bed. We can help load with our forklift. Call ahead for large orders so we can have them staged and ready.
Services
Do you offer pallet repair services?
Yes! We repair damaged pallets at a fraction of the cost of replacement—typically $3-8 per pallet versus $12-20+ for new. Services include board replacement, stringer repair, nail repair, and structural fixes. We offer in-shop repair, on-site repair for large quantities, and a pallet exchange program where we swap your damaged pallets for repaired ones.
How does the pallet exchange program work?
Our exchange program is simple: we deliver repaired/reconditioned pallets and pick up your damaged ones in the same trip. You pay only for the net pallets received plus a small reconditioning fee per pallet exchanged. This keeps your operations running without waiting for repairs and reduces the number of trips needed.
Do you recycle damaged pallets?
Yes! We operate a comprehensive recycling program. Pallets that can't be economically repaired are recycled into mulch, animal bedding, biomass fuel, and other wood products. We provide recycling certificates for your sustainability reporting. Our goal is zero waste to landfill—and we achieve 100% material recovery.
Can you provide recycling certificates?
Absolutely. For businesses tracking sustainability metrics, we provide detailed recycling certificates documenting the volume of pallets recycled, the end products created, and the environmental impact (landfill diversion, carbon offset equivalent). These certificates can support your ESG reporting and sustainability initiatives.
Do you offer storage solutions?
While we don't offer dedicated warehouse storage, many customers use our scheduled delivery program as a just-in-time inventory solution. We maintain stock and deliver on your schedule, effectively serving as your pallet warehouse. For businesses needing to store excess pallets temporarily, we may be able to accommodate—contact us to discuss.
Heat Treatment & Export
What is ISPM-15 and do I need it?
ISPM-15 is the international standard requiring heat treatment of wood packaging materials for international shipping. If you're shipping anything on wood pallets across international borders, you need ISPM-15 compliant (heat-treated) pallets. Non-compliance can result in shipment rejection, delays, and fines. For domestic US shipping only, ISPM-15 is not required.
How do I know if a pallet is heat-treated?
Properly treated pallets bear an IPPC stamp showing the treatment. The stamp includes the IPPC wheat symbol, country code (US), state code, producer/treatment facility number, and "HT" for heat treatment. If you don't see this stamp, or if it's illegible, the pallet may not be compliant. We can verify compliance or re-treat pallets as needed.
Can you heat-treat pallets I already have?
Yes! We offer heat treatment services for customer-owned pallets. Bring them to our facility or arrange pickup, and we'll treat and stamp them to ISPM-15 standards. Turnaround is typically 1-2 business days, with same-day service available for urgent needs. The cost is approximately $3 per pallet for treatment.
What countries require heat-treated pallets?
Nearly all countries require ISPM-15 compliance for incoming wood packaging. This includes all of North America (US, Canada, Mexico), all EU countries, UK, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, India, Brazil, and most other nations. A few small countries don't enforce it strictly, but using HT pallets everywhere is the safest approach.
Account & Ordering
How do I place an order?
You can order by phone at (512) 555-1234, by email at info@austin-pallets.com, or through the contact form on our website. Let us know the quantity, grade, size, and delivery details. We'll confirm availability and pricing, then schedule delivery or pickup. For repeat customers, reordering is even easier—just reference your last order.
Can I set up a recurring order?
Absolutely! Many of our customers use scheduled recurring deliveries—weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. You get locked-in pricing, priority delivery slots, and dedicated support. We can also set up automatic reordering based on your typical usage, so you never run out. Ask about our Scheduled Delivery Program.
Do you have a customer portal?
We're currently focused on personalized service via phone and email rather than an online portal. Your dedicated account rep can quickly check order history, reorder previous orders, and manage your account. For enterprise customers, we can provide custom reporting on order history, recycling volumes, and spending.
What's your return policy?
We stand behind our quality. If pallets don't meet the grade specifications or have issues we missed, we'll replace them or provide a refund. Claims should be made within 48 hours of delivery. For larger orders, we recommend inspecting a sample upon delivery. Custom-built pallets are generally not returnable unless defective.
Quick Reference
Key information at a glance
Hours
- Mon-Fri: 7 AM - 5 PM
- Delivery: 6 AM - 6 PM
- Sat: By appointment
Contact
- (512) 555-1234
- info@austin-pallets.com
- 4201 Supply Ct, Austin
Pricing Starts At
- Grade C: $4
- Grade B: $8
- Grade A: $12
- New: $18
Delivery
- Free over $500
- Same-day available
- Next-day standard
Related Resources
Dive deeper into these topics
Pallet Size Guide
Complete guide to standard and custom pallet dimensions, weight capacities, and specifications.
Learn More →Pallet Types
Learn about stringer vs. block pallets, deck configurations, and specialty pallet types.
Learn More →Industry Standards
ISPM-15, GMA specifications, and quality grading standards explained in detail.
Learn More →Still Have Questions?
Our team is ready to help with any questions not covered here. Call us for immediate assistance or send a message.