FAQ
Straight answers about pallets.
The questions we field most often, grouped by topic and answered plainly. Still stuck? The quote form reaches a real person.
Cincinnati Pallet sells to businesses and the public, buys used pallets for cash, delivers across the OH-KY-IN tri-state, builds custom and export-ready pallets, and recycles with zero landfill. We're email-first — no phone number.
Request a quote
Every field routes straight to our yard team. Tell us the product, the volume, and where you are — we reply by email within one business day.
Frequently asked
Buying pallets
Ordering recycled, new, or custom pallets — who we sell to and how it works.
Do you sell pallets to the public, or only to businesses?
Both. We supply everyone from single-pallet DIY buyers and small builders to warehouses ordering weekly truckloads. There's no minimum-business requirement and no membership.
Is there a minimum order?
No. We'll sell you one pallet or a full truckload. Larger and recurring orders earn better per-unit pricing, but there's no floor to get started.
Can I pick pallets up myself or do you deliver?
Either. You can pick up at the Este Ave yard during hours, or we'll deliver on our own fleet. Tell us your ZIP and we'll quote the delivered price.
Do you carry new pallets too, or only recycled?
Both. Recycled is our specialty and the best value, but we stock and build new pallets when a spec, cleanliness, or export requirement calls for it.
Frequently asked
Selling us your pallets
Turning surplus pallets and cores into cash and dock space.
Will you buy my used pallets?
Yes. We pay cash for pallets in volume — 48×40 GMA pays best. Send photos and rough counts and we'll quote a per-pallet buy price and schedule a pickup or drop-off.
What pallets are worth the most?
Standard 48×40 GMA (block or four-way stringer) pallets in reusable condition pay best because demand is highest. Odd sizes and heavily damaged units are worth less but can still be recycled rather than dumped.
How do I get paid, and how much?
Price is per pallet and depends on size, grade, and quantity — we quote it up front from your photos and count. Payment is arranged when we collect or you drop off; no surprises after inspection.
Do you offer recurring pickups for our surplus?
Yes. Many warehouses and manufacturers run a standing core-buyback with us — we collect on a set schedule, keep your dock clear, and pay for what's reusable.
Frequently asked
Recycling, removal & sustainability
What happens to wood that can't be reused, and how we keep it out of the landfill.
What happens to pallets you can't reuse?
They're dismantled for good boards and blocks, remanufactured into combo pallets, and — only at the very end — ground into mulch and biomass. We send zero collected wood to landfill.
Do you remove broken pallets and pallet piles?
Yes. Pallet removal and cleanup is a core service. Send the location, access details, and rough volume and we'll schedule a haul that diverts the wood from landfill.
Can you provide recycling or diversion numbers for our ESG report?
Yes. With a recurring account we can document the tonnage of wood we divert from landfill on your behalf each reporting period.
What does 'zero-landfill' actually mean here?
It means every pallet we collect gets reused, repaired, remanufactured, or ground into mulch and biomass — nothing goes to a landfill. It's been our standard since 2015, not a marketing line.
Is reusing a pallet really better than recycling it?
Yes. Reuse keeps a pallet doing its job with no remanufacturing energy at all, so we exhaust reuse and repair before we ever grind wood down. Recycling is the last resort, not the first.
Frequently asked
Sizes, grades & specs
Footprints, load ratings, grades, and building something custom.
What's the difference between Grade A and Grade B pallets?
Grade A (#1) pallets are near-new with minimal repairs; Grade B (#2) have been repaired at least once or show cosmetic wear. Both carry solid load ratings — B just costs less. See our Pallet Grades guide for detail.
What size pallet is 'standard'?
In North America the 48×40 GMA footprint is the standard most freight rides on. If you're unsure what you need, describe the load and how it ships and we'll recommend a size.
What's the difference between block and stringer pallets?
Stringer pallets use two-by lumber runners and are typically two- or four-way entry; block pallets use solid blocks and allow true four-way forklift and pallet-jack access. Our Block vs. Stringer guide breaks down when to use each.
Can you build a custom or odd-size pallet?
Yes. Our fabrication shop designs and builds custom pallets, skids, and crates from new or reclaimed lumber, engineered to your load and destination.
Do you offer heat-treated (ISPM-15) pallets for export?
We do. We supply and stamp ISPM-15 compliant, heat-treated pallets and crates for international shipments. Any pallet leaving the country in solid wood needs this — mention export when you request a quote.
Frequently asked
Delivery, logistics & pricing
How fast, how far, how much — and how we quote it.
What areas do you serve?
Greater Cincinnati and the OH-KY-IN tri-state — Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana included — for routine delivery, pickup, and removal. Truckload orders can ship farther; just ask about your location.
Do you deliver, and how fast?
We run our own fleet. Most local deliveries go out within the same week, and standing orders run on a set schedule you can rely on.
How much does a used pallet cost?
It depends on size, grade, and quantity — recycled 48×40 pallets cost a fraction of new. Send a quantity and grade through our quote form and we'll price it the same day.
How is a quote calculated?
Four honest levers: volume, grade, condition/size, and delivery. Higher volume and standard sizes cost less per unit; custom builds, odd sizes, and long hauls cost more. There's no hidden catalog markup.
How fast will I hear back on a quote?
Usually within one business day, and often the same day if you send complete details during yard hours. We're email-first, so a good written request gets a fast, accurate answer.
Frequently asked
About working with us
How to reach us, where we are, and why there's no phone number.
Is a phone number available?
We're an email-first company — no phone number. Emailing keeps your request documented and gets you a faster, more accurate answer, usually within one business day. It's a promise: replies by email, no phone spam.
Where are you located?
Our yard and office are at 5748 Este Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45232, in the Mill Creek Valley industrial corridor just off I-75.
What are your yard hours?
Monday through Friday 7:00 AM–4:30 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. We're closed Sunday.