1. Count and sort what you have
Euro pallets that arrive under European goods are rarely uniform. Before you call anyone, split the stack into four piles:
- EPAL pallets: EPAL in oval brand on the outer blocks and a control staple in a centre block. These have a recognised specification and grading scheme.
- Generic euro-footprint pallets: 1200 × 800 or 1200 × 1000 mm, no EPAL brand. Same size, no exchange status.
- Pooled or rental pallets: anything carrying a pool operator's name or colour. These usually still belong to the operator.
- Damaged pallets: broken or missing boards and blocks, contamination, protruding nail tips.
Our identifier takes one pallet through these checks in under a minute and tells you which pile it belongs in.
2. Deal with pooled pallets first
Pooled pallets are not yours to sell. Contact the operator named on the pallet and arrange collection. Mixing them into a sale lot can make the whole lot harder to move.
3. Grade the EPAL pile
EPAL's Quality Classification sorts used Euro pallets into classes A, B and C, plus not fit for use. It is a non-binding recommendation that applies only when buyer and seller agree to use it, but it is the shared vocabulary most buyers understand. The grade pages explain each class. A sorted lot with a stated class split is easier to price than an unsorted one.
4. Decide what to keep
If you also export to Europe, sound EPAL pallets may be worth keeping for return shipments, because your European customers may ask for EPAL. Check that they still carry a legible IPPC mark: wood packaging that crosses a border needs one, and US rules let inspectors order unmarked wood packaging re-exported on arrival.
5. Sell what you do not need
Sound EPAL and generic pallets can be sold to the used pallet market. Give the buyer what they need to quote: count by type, an honest class split, ZIP code, loading access (dock or ground), and how often the pallets arrive. Use our sell form. We pass the request to a North American used-packaging marketplace partner; we do not publish prices.
6. Recycle what cannot be used
Not-fit-for-use EPAL pallets cannot go back into the exchange pool without repair, and only EPAL-licensed repairers may repair them. EPAL says unlicensed repair of EPAL pallets is prosecuted. For most North American holders, recycling is the practical route for broken pallets. Use the recycle form.
7. Make it routine
If euro pallets arrive with every container, a recurring pickup is usually simpler than one-off sales. Tick "recurring" on the form and say roughly how many arrive per month.