Pallet shipping, from one pallet to a full truck
GET Express books pallet shipping for businesses across the U.S. Tell us how many pallets, how big and how heavy, and we put them on the mode that costs least for the lane.
Which mode fits your pallet shipping
| What you are shipping | Usual mode | How it moves |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 6 pallets | LTL | Shares a trailer and moves through terminals |
| More pallets, short of a full trailer | Volume LTL or partial truckload | Quoted against each other, cheaper one wins |
| A full trailer | Truckload | One trailer, dock to dock, no rehandling |
| Any count, a date that cannot move | Expedited | A dedicated vehicle, direct |
Not sure where your load falls? The linear feet calculator shows how much trailer your pallets take.
How much does it cost to ship a pallet?
There is no flat price per pallet. A carrier prices the weight, the density, the distance between the two ZIP codes, and any extras at either end. A light, bulky pallet can cost more than a heavy, compact one going the same way.
For LTL, live carrier rates come back on our quote page. Volume, truckload and expedited loads we price by hand and send back by email.
Getting pallets ready to ship
- Use a sound pallet. Most freight ships on a 48 by 40. Other sizes are fine if you give the real dimensions. See pallet sizes and weights.
- Stack inside the footprint. Boxes that hang over the edge get crushed and add to the measured size.
- Wrap it tight. Stretch wrap from the pallet base to the top, so the load moves as one piece.
- Label each pallet. Put the delivery address and the piece count on at least two sides.
- Weigh and measure it as it ships. Include the pallet and the wrap. These are the numbers the carrier checks.
Shipping for the first time? Our guide on how to ship a pallet walks through the paperwork too.
Pallets to a home, a store or a site without a dock
Ask for a liftgate truck, which lowers the pallet to the ground. A home delivery is also billed as residential, and many stores and warehouses require a delivery appointment. Each is an extra charge, so put them on the quote request rather than finding them on the invoice.
Pallet shipping questions
Can you ship a single pallet?
Yes. One pallet ships LTL, sharing a trailer with other freight, so you pay for that pallet’s space and weight.
What if my pallets are not 48 by 40?
Send the real length, width and height of each pallet as it ships. Carriers price what they measure, so the actual size keeps the quote and the invoice the same.
Can you ship pallets to an Amazon fulfillment center?
Yes. Amazon sets its own pallet and appointment rules, so check them in Seller Central before you build the pallets. Our guide to shipping to Amazon FBA by LTL covers the rest.
Who picks up the pallet?
The carrier collects it from your dock or door on the booked pickup date. Without a dock, book a liftgate for the pickup too.
Ship your pallets
Send the ZIP codes, the pallet count, the sizes and the weight. We work out the cost to ship a pallet, or a dozen, on the mode that fits.