Pallet ProcurementThe purchasing manager's pallet playbook
Wood pallet PPI WPU084101361.8 in September 2026 (preliminary)+1.5% on the month, +7.7% on the yearRead the September 2026 reportSource: BLS

Cost per trip (CPT)

The total cost of using a pallet for one shipment, including everything beyond its price.

Last reviewed October 27, 2026. How we check facts

Cost per trip lets you compare buying, renting, closed loops and plastic on one basis. For a one-way pallet it is price plus disposal minus buyback; for loops it spreads the price across the trips each pallet actually makes and adds retrieval, handling, repair and loss.

Add tare freight, the cost of hauling the pallet's own weight, to every model.

See also

Closed loop
A pallet program in which the same pallets circulate between known locations and come back to the owner.
Tare weight
The weight of the pallet itself, as opposed to the goods it carries.
Break-even dwell
The dwell time at which a pooled pallet costs the same per trip as an owned one.
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