What the placard says
Every deck board is whole, the stringers are not cracked, and no plugs or companion stringers have been added. A good Grade A pallet looks like it was used a few times, not a few dozen. The nails are flush and the deck boards are evenly spaced.
Why pay for A
- It stacks flat, so a loaded layer does not rock.
- It is the safest bet on an automated line, where a loose board can jam a conveyor.
- It presents well when a customer unloads it.
- It tends to be drier and cleaner, which helps near food.
Where it falls short
Grade A is not new. It has a history, and wood can pick up odours or stains. If your freight is sensitive to smell or contamination, a new pallet is the safer route; see new pallets. For a bulk purchase where cost matters more than appearance, Grade B usually does the job.
Salt Lake specifics
Winter changes Grade A fast. A stack left outside during a Salt Lake season, which averages about 60 inches of snow, soaks up moisture, and wet wood is heavier and can mold. Ask whether the stock has been kept dry, and read keeping yard pallets dry.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many can I ask for? | Any count; one trailer-load is common |
| Can it be heat-treated? | Only if marked; ask on heat-treated pallets |
| Is it four-way? | Most 48 x 40 stringer pallets are notched for four-way entry |
Ready to ask? Use the quote form and say Grade A, the size and your count.
Who asks for Grade A
- Shippers whose pallets are seen by the customer.
- Docks with automated conveyors that dislike protruding nails.
- Food-adjacent warehouses that want clean, uniform decks.
- Anyone who has had a repaired pallet jam a lane.
What Grade A does not guarantee
The label says nothing about dryness, species, or heat treatment. A Grade A pallet that sat in a wet yard may be mouldy. A Grade A pallet bound overseas still needs the IPPC mark. Put the extra requirement beside the grade in the same sentence.
When comparing, hold two grades up against each other. Grade A with one dark stain is still Grade A; Grade B with a clean plug is still Grade B. The boundary is repair, not colour.