Pooled pallet: renting pallets from CHEP, PECO and iGPS

What is a pooled pallet?

A pooled pallet belongs to a pallet-pooling company, not to the shipper or the receiver. The shipper rents pallets, loads them and ships them; the pool operator recovers them downstream, inspects and repairs them, and issues them again. Pooled pallets are color-branded so they can be identified as pool property.

Because the pallets are rented, a pooled pallet is not something a manufacturer quotes or builds to a buyer's design. If the buyer's customer requires pooled pallets, the answer is to open an account with a pool, not to issue an RFQ.

How pooled pallets are built

North American pooled pallets are 48 x 40 in block pallets with full four-way entry.

For the construction of a wood block pallet in general, see the 48 x 40 block pallet page. Pool operators' exact specifications are their own.

When pooled pallets make sense

• The receiver requires them. Costco requires pooled block pallets and accepts purpose-built pallets only by exception, with a PDS report that includes racking capacity and a deflection limit, and approval that lasts one year. Confirm with the current Costco policy.
• Open-loop distribution to many retail receivers, where you would otherwise lose your own pallets.
• Programs that want four-way block pallets without owning and managing them.

When they don't

• Non-standard sizes or heavy, special loads. Pools offer standard footprints.
• Closed loops where you get your own pallets back and can amortize a durable pallet.
• One-way exports outside the pool's network.
• Loads that need a custom design: bolted machinery, drums on tight decks, wings.

Pooled vs purpose-built pallets

How to specify around pooled pallets

When a customer mentions pooling, ask:

1. Does the receiver require a specific pool, or any pooled block pallet?
2. Are purpose-built pallets allowed by exception, and what documents are required (for Costco, a PDS report)?
3. Does the load fit a 48 x 40 footprint without overhang?
4. Is the load within the pool's published ratings for the way it will be stored?

If a purpose-built pallet is allowed, palletdesign.ai can lay out a 48 x 40 block pallet, drawing and parts list for the exception request; the certified rating itself must come from a PDS analysis or physical test. See Costco pallet requirements and reusable vs single-use pallets.