GMA Pallets vs. Custom Pallets: Which Is Right for Your Business?

For most businesses in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, the standard GMA 48×40 pallet is the obvious choice. It fits standard racking, standard trailers, and standard forklifts. Used ones are available from $5 at our Surrey yard.

But not every business has standard needs. If your products are an unusual size, your racking is non-standard, or you are shipping internationally with specific requirements, a custom pallet might be the better investment.

What Is a GMA Pallet?

The GMA pallet is a 48×40 inch wooden stringer pallet standardized by the Grocery Manufacturers Association. It is the most widely used pallet in North America.

Advantages: Widely available and affordable (used from $5), compatible with standard racking and trailers, easy to source replacements.

Limitations: Fixed dimensions — if your product does not fit the 48×40 footprint efficiently, you waste space. Wood construction may not suit all food-contact or cleanroom applications.

What Are Custom Pallets?

Custom pallets are built to your exact specifications — any length, width, height, and load capacity. Common reasons businesses order custom pallets include non-standard product dimensions, non-standard racking, specific export requirements, unusual weight requirements, and food-grade or cleanroom applications.

When to Choose GMA Pallets

• Your products fit the 48×40 footprint without significant overhang or wasted space
• You use standard North American racking and trailers
• You need pallets quickly and in large quantities
• You are shipping domestically within Canada or to the USA
• Cost per pallet is the primary concern

When to Choose Custom Pallets

• Your products are significantly larger or smaller than 48×40
• You have non-standard racking or handling equipment
• You are exporting to destinations with specific pallet size requirements
• You need a specific load capacity that standard pallets cannot provide
• You are in a food-contact or cleanroom environment with specific material requirements

How to Order Custom Pallets in Surrey

Pallet Recycling Guys builds custom pallets at our yard at 12255 Industrial Road in Surrey. Call 604-761-5661 or send a WhatsApp message to discuss your requirements. We can usually provide a quote same-day for standard custom configurations.