Start with a sound pallet
The most common pallet size in the United States is 48 by 40 inches, often called a GMA or Consumer Brands Association pallet. It is not the only size that ships, but it is the default for a lot of grocery, retail, and warehouse freight, and two of them fit across a standard trailer. Other sizes, such as 48 by 48 or 42 by 42, are fine when the product needs them — just tell us the actual footprint so the quote matches the space the freight will occupy.
Use a pallet that is in one piece: no broken or missing deck boards, no cracked stringers, and no nails sticking out. A pallet that flexes under a forklift can be refused at the dock, and it can fail in transit. Four-way entry helps at terminals and warehouses. If the product is heavy, a sturdy wood pallet is usually the safer base.
Build the load so it stays a single unit
Stack cartons squarely, with heavier boxes on the bottom, and keep every carton inside the edge of the pallet. Overhang is a common source of damage, and it also changes the dimensions a carrier will use to rate LTL freight. A load that hangs past the deck is larger than the pallet size you had in mind.
Stretch wrap is what turns a stack into a unit. Start at the base and wrap around the pallet itself several times so the cartons are tied to the wood, then work up with each pass overlapping the last, and finish over the top layer. Wrap that only goes around the cartons can leave the whole stack free to slide off when a forklift stops. Corner boards and bands help on dense freight, bags, or anything that can shift. If the top of the pallet cannot support another pallet, do not mark it stackable. “Do not stack” is the right call when a second pallet would crush the product; it can also reduce how densely the freight can be loaded, which is worth telling us on an LTL quote.
Measure and weigh after wrapping
Length, width, and height of the finished pallet, plus its gross weight including the pallet, are the numbers that should appear on the quote, the label, and the bill of lading. Measure the wrapped freight, not the product alone. Those four figures also determine density, which is a major input to LTL freight class. Our LTL freight classes guide shows the density formula.
There is no single legal height or weight cap that applies to every carrier and every trailer. Door heights, terminal handling, and each carrier’s rules vary. If a pallet is unusually tall, unusually heavy, or an odd size, flag it in the notes so we do not quote it as a standard grocery pallet. The same is true if the freight is not palletized at all and has to be floor-loaded or loaded by hand.
Label two sides, and prepare the bill of lading
Label two adjacent sides of every pallet so one label still faces out after the freight is loaded. Include the consignee name, the pallet number out of the total (for example, 2 of 6), and a bill of lading or reference number. Put the label on the outside of the wrap.
Every shipment should travel with a bill of lading. It is the receipt and the contract for the move. At a minimum it should name the shipper and the consignee, a piece count, the weight, a freight description, the origin and destination, and any special instructions such as a liftgate, an appointment, or a “do not stack” note. If you have a class or NMFC item, it belongs there too. Our bill of lading basics guide covers this in more detail. You do not need a finished bill of lading just to request a quote; send us the same details in the form and we can help you get the paperwork right before pickup.
Choose LTL, a dedicated trailer, or a partial
A few pallets usually belong on LTL. A trailer you can fill, or nearly fill, usually belongs on a dedicated dry van or reefer. There is no single legal cutoff. In our FTL vs LTL guide we use a practical rule of thumb: LTL is often a good fit for about 1 to 6 pallets, or for freight under about 15,000 pounds, and a full truckload quote is usually worth requesting once you are above that range. Pallet size and stackability change the picture. Six short, stackable pallets are a different shipment from six tall pallets that already cover most of the trailer floor.
If you are in the middle, we can quote more than one mode, and we can look at a partial truckload when it is realistic for the lane and date. Choose LTL, Dry Van, Reefer, or “Not sure” on the form, and include the pallet count.
Flag accessorials before the freight is picked up
A liftgate, a residential or limited-access location, inside pickup or delivery, and a required appointment are all extras that should be on the quote, especially for LTL. Hiding them does not make them free; it usually delays the freight or shows up on the invoice later. If the dock cannot receive a standard trailer, or if no one will be there with a forklift, tell us. Our accessorial charges guide explains the extras we are asked about most.
What to send for a palletized quote
- Pickup and delivery city, state, or ZIP
- Pallet count, and dimensions of each pallet if you have them
- Gross weight, including the pallets
- Whether the pallets can be stacked
- Commodity, and a temperature if the freight needs a reefer
- Liftgate, appointment, or limited-access needs
- Ship date, and any delivery date you have to meet