Definition
A pallet constructed primarily from heavy-duty corrugated fiberboard rather than wood or plastic. Corrugated pallets are lightweight, recyclable, and exempt from ISPM-15 phytosanitary requirements since they are not solid wood. They are suitable for lighter loads and one-way shipping applications, especially in export markets where avoiding wood treatment costs is advantageous. However, they have lower load capacity and moisture resistance than wood pallets.
Related Terms
Expendable Pallet
A low-cost pallet intended for a single use, designed to be discarded or recycled after one shipping cycle rather than returned or reused. Expendable pallets are built from inexpensive materials such as lightweight wood, corrugated fiberboard, or molded pressed wood. They are common in export shipping where return logistics are impractical and in promotional displays where the pallet is not expected to survive beyond delivery.
Export Pallet
A pallet specifically prepared for use in international shipping, meeting the ISPM-15 requirements for phytosanitary treatment and marking. Export pallets must be made from debarked wood, treated using an approved method (heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation), and stamped with the internationally recognized ISPM-15 compliance mark. Non-compliance can result in shipment rejection, quarantine, or destruction at the destination port.
Molded Pallet
A pallet manufactured by compressing and molding wood fibers, recycled plastic, or other composite materials into shape under heat and pressure. Molded pallets are lightweight, consistent in dimensions, nestable, and often exempt from ISPM-15 requirements since the manufacturing process eliminates pest risks. They are popular for export shipping, air freight, and applications where pallet weight is a major cost factor.
Slip Sheet
A thin sheet of solid fiberboard, corrugated board, or plastic used as a pallet substitute. Slip sheets are placed under a unit load and handled by forklifts equipped with special push-pull attachments that grip the protruding edge of the sheet. Slip sheets are much thinner, lighter, and less expensive than pallets, and they save significant space in shipping containers. However, they require specialized handling equipment and are not compatible with standard pallet jacks or racking.
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