As of July 2026, used 48x40 GMA pallets sell for about $6 to $9 each for Grade A and $3 to $6 each for Grade B at the buy-back level, with national averages near $7 (Grade A) and $4.75 (Grade B). Florida Pallet Supply buys clean, single-size loads of 250+ pallets, pays toward the top of these ranges, and arranges pickup on our delivery routes with fast ACH payment.
2026 Buy-Back Rate Table by Grade
The single biggest driver of what a used pallet is worth is its grade. The table below is the FPS per-pallet buy-back range for the standard 48x40 footprint, as of July 2026. Rates move with the lumber market, so treat these as current ranges, not a locked price list.
Table 1: 48x40 buy-back by grade · Florida · as of July 2026
| Grade | Condition | FPS pays (per pallet) | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A (#1) | Sound, reusable, no major repair, clean | $6.00 to $9.00 | ~$7.00 |
| Grade B (#2) | Repaired / companion stringer, usable wear | $3.00 to $6.00 | ~$4.75 |
| Grade C / Core | Damaged; bought for repair or dismantle | $1.00 to $3.00 | ~$2.00 |
| Heat-treated (ISPM-15), reusable | Stamped, export-grade, sound | Grade A + premium | varies |
Sources: UsedPalletRecycling.com state price data 2026; Repackify buy/sell market data 2026; 48forty recycled-pallet benchmarks. National averages: Grade A ~$7, Grade B ~$4.75.
July 2026 Florida market note
Used-pallet buy-back demand across Florida held firm through mid-2026. Nationally, the most recent used-pallet price index (Q1 2026, 396 verified suppliers) put the average Grade A 48x40 resale at $9.04 with a $7.91 median, up 54.3 percent since 2023, and Florida sits near that national average. The pressure point for Florida shippers is new-pallet cost: softwood lumber traded near $615 per thousand board feet in early July 2026, and the Section 232 10 percent softwood tariff (in force since October 2025), stacked with countervailing and anti-dumping duties, now pushes the total burden on Canadian softwood past 40 percent. Because Florida produce, beverage, and JAXPORT and PortMiami export shippers move heavy pallet volume while new-build lumber stays expensive, more operators are recovering value from used 48x40 stock through buy-back instead of scrapping it. Our per-pallet ranges above reflect these July 2026 conditions.
Buy-Back Rates by Pallet Type
The 48x40 GMA pallet is the most liquid and sets the reference price. Other sizes and constructions are worth more or less depending on how easily they resell. The table below shows typical FPS buy-back ranges by type for Grade A condition.
Table 2: Buy-back by pallet type · Grade A · as of July 2026
| Pallet type | Footprint | FPS pays (Grade A) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMA 48x40 | 48″ × 40″ | $6.00 to $9.00 | Most in demand; sets the market |
| 48x48 | 48″ × 48″ | $5.00 to $8.00 | Drum / chemical handling |
| 42x42 | 42″ × 42″ | $4.00 to $7.00 | Telecom, paint, beverage |
| Block pallet (4-way) | varies | $5.00 to $9.00 | Premium for true 4-way entry |
| Odd / custom size | non-standard | $1.00 to $4.00 | Quoted by spec; harder to resell |
| Plastic pallet | various | By spec | Quoted individually; condition-driven |
Source: FPS buy-back desk, July 2026. Standard 48x40 GMA is the reference; other sizes priced relative to resale liquidity.
How Region Changes the Rate
Pallet buy-back prices are regional because they track local supply and demand. The Northeast and coastal California run hot; the rural South and Midwest run cheaper. Florida sits near the national average. The table below shows the 2026 regional adjustment relative to the national Grade A reference.
Table 3: Regional Grade A 48x40 adjustment · as of July 2026
| Region | vs national avg | Typical Grade A range |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast (NY, NJ, Boston) | +20% to +25% | $8.00 to $10.00 |
| Coastal California | +20% to +25% | $8.00 to $10.00 |
| Southeast (incl. Florida) | at or slightly above avg | $6.50 to $9.00 |
| Texas / Gulf | near avg | $6.00 to $8.50 |
| Rural Midwest / South (AR, MS) | below avg | $4.50 to $7.00 |
Source: UsedPalletRecycling.com per-state 2026 data. Northeast and California coastal markets pay 20-25% above the national average; rural states pay below.
Volume and Load Requirements
- Minimum: 250 pallets per load, single size only (no mixed-size loads).
- Best rate: full single-size truckloads (roughly 500 to 560 stacked 48x40 in a 53-ft van).
- Pickup: arranged on an outbound delivery route to keep your freight cost near zero.
- Payment: ACH, same-day to net-7 depending on volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do used pallets sell for in 2026?
As of July 2026, used 48x40 GMA pallets sell for roughly $6 to $9 each for Grade A and $3 to $6 each for Grade B at the recycler buy-back level. National averages run about $7 (Grade A) and $4.75 (Grade B). FPS pays toward the upper end for clean, single-size, sorted loads of 250+ pallets.
What does Florida Pallet Supply pay for used pallets?
As of July 2026: $6-$9 per Grade A 48x40, $3-$6 per Grade B, $1-$3 for Grade C/core, and by-spec quotes for non-standard sizes. Reusable heat-treated (ISPM-15) pallets earn a premium. Rates depend on grade, size uniformity, volume, and pickup location.
What is the difference between Grade A and Grade B pallets?
Grade A (#1) is structurally sound, clean, and ready for immediate reuse with no major repair. Grade B (#2) has been repaired (companion or plugged stringers, replacement boards) and is usable but worn. Grade C/core units are bought for repair or dismantling. Grade A pays the most; Grade B is typically 30-50% lower.
Do pallet buy-back prices vary by region?
Yes. In 2026 the Northeast and coastal California pay 20-25% above the national average; the Southeast (including Florida) sits near average; rural Midwest and South states pay below. Lumber tariffs and supply swings move these rates weekly.
How do I sell my used pallets to FPS?
Submit a quote with size, grade mix, quantity, and pickup location. FPS confirms a per-pallet rate and schedules pickup on a delivery route. Single-size loads, 250 minimum. Payment by ACH, same-day to net-7.
How many pallets are in a truckload for buy-back?
A 53-ft dry van holds roughly 500 to 560 stacked 48x40 pallets. Buy-back loads start at a 250-pallet minimum (partial, on a backhaul) and scale to full truckload, which earns the best per-pallet rate.
Related
- 48x40 GMA Pallet Specs (dimensions, board count, capacity)
- Custom Pallets
- Florida Pallet Suppliers Hub