Description of a GMA 48" x 40" Pallet

Premium Grade A

These are most commonly used at retail where they will sit out on the selling floor becoming an integral part of a display.

• 7 boards on top
• 5 boards on bottom
• 6" lead boards top and bottom
• Average top deck spacing 2-1/2" to 3-1/2"
• 3 stringers (1-1/2" x 3-1/2" each)
• 4-way entry
• Flush
• No block or metal repairs to stringers
• No colored or painted stringers.

Grade A

Pallets are mostly used by food, pharmaceutical or others

• 7 boards on top
• 5 boards on bottom
• Average top deck spacing 2-1/2" to 3-1/2"
• 3 stringers (1-1/2" x 3-1/2" each)
• 4-way entry
• Flush
• No block repairs to stringers
• Each stringer can have one metal repair plate to strengthen any split.

Premium Grade B  New Item!

The perfect fit between a Grade A and Grade B. This cost saving pallet will have had fewer transfer cycles than a Grade B and as a result will likely have fewer markings, chips, cracks or other wear and tear damage.

• Same as a standard Grade B pallet but with only one of the three stringers having added a plug or other type of repair.

Grade B

Considerably less expensive than Grade A and are used primarily for warehousing or shipping where it is likely the pallet will not be coming back.

• 6 to 7 boards on top, depending on board width which can be
  3-1/2" to 5-1/2" wide
• No less than 4 boards on bottom
• Average top deck spacing 2-1/2" to 3-1/2" but can be up to 4"
• 3 stringers (1-1/2" x 3-1/2" each)
• 4-way entry
• Flush
• Has plugs (repairs) on stringers
• Plugs can be various length and location
• No more than two boards (stringers) thick at any one point
• Chips or partial split boards are acceptable.

Grade C

Ideal cost saver for shipping lighter weight goods that are less prone to damage and where you must absorb the non-returning pallet cost

• 5 to 7 boards on top, depending on board width which can be 3-1/2" to 5-1/2" wide
• No less than 3 boards on bottom
• Average top deck spacing 2-1/2" to 3" but can be up to 4"
• 3 stringers (1-3/4" x 3-3/4" each)
• 4-way entry
• Flush
• Has plugs (repairs) on more than one stringer
• Plugs can be of various length and at multiple locations
• Part of an outside stringer can be missing with the proper repair component in place
• One stringer may have multiple repairs
• Chips or partial split boards are acceptable.
• Pallet will appear darker and more aged due to its longer in-use lifespan.

Most other sizes of pallets do not refer to the GMA grading process but they do come in different conditions. Tell your salesman what your use is and he can offer you the best choice for the size you need.