Buy / Custom
Custom pallets for loads that do not fit a 48x40
A custom pallet is drawn for a load that will not sit well on a 48x40. Send the unit's footprint, weight and how it is lifted, and say whether it ships by truck, rail or container.
The measurements to send
Custom work starts from the product, not the pallet. Give the length, width and height of the unit as it sits packed, then the weight of the heaviest one. Say where its weight concentrates: a compressor at one end changes the deck plan.
- Footprint of the unit, and how much overhang is acceptable (none, an inch, more).
- Lift points: forks from two sides or four, a clamp, a crane strap.
- Load style: single unit, or stacked layers, and whether pallets stack on one another in storage.
- Where it travels: a 53-foot van, a container, or rail. Container and van width limit the footprint; see pallets per trailer.
Examples of builds for heavy units
These show how a footprint follows a product. They are patterns, not stock.
| Product | What the pallet needs | Typical build |
|---|---|---|
| A rooftop HVAC unit | A long footprint that matches the unit base, support under the compressor | Block or stringer, extra stringers, heavy deck boards |
| Drums or totes | Square footprint, perimeter support | 48 x 48 with full deck coverage |
| Appliances in stacks | Wide, flat, stackable | 48 x 45 or wider, with leading boards |
| Long tube or pipe bundles | Length beyond 48 inches, centre support | Custom length with added stringers |
HVAC and equipment plants in Norman and Moore ship the first kind constantly. 48x45 and 48x48 are the two most common departures from 48x40.
When to stay standard
A custom pallet is worth ordering when the standard one costs you damage, extra freight or a failed customer inspection. If a 48x40 carries the product without overhang, the standard pallet is simpler to source and to resell later. A used or combo standard pallet is often the cheaper answer.
Preparing a custom specification
Give the product's length, width and height, its weight and how it is handled. State whether forklifts enter from two sides or four, and whether the load will be stacked. A drawing or sketch helps, and a photograph of the product on a ruler helps more. Say if the pallet will be exported, because heat treatment must then be specified.
Questions, answered
Do custom pallets need ISPM 15 treatment?
Only if they leave the country. Wood packaging material in international trade falls under ISPM 15, so say in the request if any units are headed abroad.
Sources, last reviewed 2026-11-12
Send the request
One form covers buying, selling and clearing. Start with the basics; more detail is optional afterwards.