§1When to buy it
Choose block when you need true 4-way entry for pallet jacks, when loads are racked or conveyed both ways, or when a closed loop will run each pallet many times.
Expect a higher price per pallet than a stringer of the same footprint. Whether it pays back depends on trips and damage rates; compare in the cost-per-trip calculator.
§2RFQ fields
| Footprint | 48 × 40 in, ±1/8 in |
|---|---|
| Construction | Nine blocks (solid wood, laminated or composite: state which), top and bottom stringer boards, top deckboards |
| Entry | True 4-way, pallet-jack accessible from all sides (bottom deck perimeter or cruciform: state which) |
| Rated loads | Dynamic, static and racking loads in lb with the rating method |
| Wood | New lumber; species and moisture state |
| Treatment | HT only if the pallets will travel internationally |
| Volume and cadence | Pallets per month, delivery ZIP |
§3Acceptance and reject criteria
| Accept a pallet when… | Reject a pallet when… |
|---|---|
| Jack entry checked on all four sides with your own pallet jack. | Split, crushed or missing blocks. |
| Blocks square, fully fastened, no split blocks. | Bottom deck boards that block a pallet-jack wheel from entering. |
| Overall height consistent within tolerance across a stack. | Any broken or missing board, or protruding fasteners. |
§4Inspecting deliveries
- Sample each delivery with an attribute sampling plan agreed in the contract (ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 general inspection level II is a common reference), and record the lot size, sample size and defects found.
- Count a pallet as defective on the first reject criterion it meets; don't add up minor faults into a reject unless the contract says so.
- Photograph every rejected pallet with the delivery's bill of lading number visible, and send the photos with the debit note within the contract's notice window.
§5What to watch in the contract
Block pallets are heavier than stringer pallets of the same footprint, which matters for tare freight and for handlers lifting empties.
If you own block pallets in an open loop, they can drift into pooled-pallet recovery streams. Mark them clearly.
Grade words vary by supplier and region; confirm every field with your receivers and your own engineering.
For the engineering standards behind these fields, see palletstandards.com.