Real humans read every request · typical reply in 2 hours · All 67 Florida counties. Same-day dispatch in most FL metros. Standing weekly programs statewide.
Florida Pallet Supply • Updated August 2026
The GMA pallet - named after the Grocery Manufacturers Association - is the de facto standard pallet in the United States. Walk into virtually any US distribution center, grocery warehouse, or food manufacturing facility and you will find 48x40 GMA pallets stacked floor to ceiling. Understanding this standard is essential for any purchasing manager, warehouse operator, or logistics professional in the US supply chain.
This guide covers everything: the exact GMA spec, why it became dominant, its load capacities, common variants, and how to source GMA-compliant pallets efficiently.
Stamped kiln-dried pallet lumber, bulk warehouse stock, dimensional yard inventory, raw softwood logs, and sawmill operations - the supply chain behind every custom and standard pallet we ship.
| Specification | GMA Standard Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 48 inches x 40 inches |
| Construction | Stringer (3-stringer), notched for partial 4-way entry |
| Deck Boards (top) | 7 boards (5 full-width + 2 side boards) |
| Deck Boards (bottom) | 5 boards |
| Static Load Capacity | 2,500 lbs (rack) / 5,500 lbs (floor) |
| Dynamic Load Capacity | 2,800 lbs |
| Pallet Weight | About 30-48 lbs (wood stringer; varies by species and moisture) |
| Wood Species | Southern yellow pine, oak, mixed hardwood |
| Grade | Condition | Repairs | Best use | Typical price (48x40) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New GMA | Full spec, unused, all-new lumber | None | Food/pharma, export, retail vendor programs, racking | $11 to $18 new |
| Grade A (#1) | Premium recycled, near-new, no broken boards, notches intact | None or cosmetic | Food and beverage, retail DC, closed-loop racking | $6 to $9 (avg about $7) |
| Grade B (#2) | Functional recycled, one or two board or stringer repairs | 1 to 2 repairs OK | General warehouse, return-trip shipping | $3 to $6 (avg about $4.75) |
| Grade C / Core | Broken deck boards, repaired stringers, structurally usable | Multiple repairs | Non-racking, one-way shipping, ground stacking | $1 to $3 |
| Remanufactured / Combo | Rebuilt from salvaged plus new boards to A or B condition | Rebuilt | Cost-sensitive racking, bulk one-way | $4 to $7 |
July 2026 note: Grade A recycled 48x40 GMA has held near a $7 national average through 2026, with new-pallet cost pressured by softwood lumber prices and Section 232 tariffs on Canadian softwood. When a spec allows it, stepping from new to Grade A recycled typically cuts per-pallet cost 40 to 55 percent with no loss of racking capacity for closed-loop use.
| Specification | GMA 48x40 (US) | EUR/EPAL 1 (Europe) |
|---|---|---|
| Deck dimensions | 48 in x 40 in (1219 x 1016 mm) | 47.2 in x 31.5 in (1200 x 800 mm) |
| Deck area | About 13.3 sq ft (1.24 sq m) | About 10.3 sq ft (0.96 sq m), roughly 22 percent smaller |
| Construction | Stringer, 3 stringers, notched | Block, 9 blocks with perimeter base boards |
| Forklift entry | Partial 4-way (notched stringer) | True 4-way |
| Empty weight | 35 to 48 lbs (new hardwood) | About 55 lbs (25 kg) |
| Dynamic load (published) | 2,800 lbs | 3,300 lbs (1,500 kg) |
| Static load (published) | 2,500 lbs racked / 5,500 lbs floor | 8,800 lbs (4,000 kg) stacked |
| Licensing | Open standard, no license fee, no exchange pool | Licensed EPAL mark, exchangeable pool |
| Export treatment | ISPM-15 heat treatment plus HT stamp | ISPM-15 heat treatment plus HT stamp |
| Where it dominates | US and Canadian distribution, grocery and retail vendor programs | European supply chains and EPAL exchange networks |
Florida Pallet Supply delivers new, recycled, and custom pallets across FL, GA, NJ, MD & DE. Fast quotes, reliable weekly delivery.
Get Free Quote →or call
The GMA pallet is a 48x40 inch wood pallet established as the North American standard by the Grocery Manufacturers Association. It has a 2,800 pound dynamic load capacity, a 30,000 pound static capacity, and a 2,500 pound racking capacity. The GMA 48x40 pallet accounts for approximately 35% of all pallets in circulation in the United States and is the default specification for warehouse racking, truck trailers, and retail distribution systems across North America.
