What Are the GMA Pallet Guidelines for Food Industry Pallets?

GMA is an abbreviation for Grocery Manufacturers Association. A GMA pallet is one of the six most common-size pallets and is by far the most popular size in the US. 

The term “GMA pallet” comes from the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s efforts to standardize pallet sizes for efficiency across the supply chain. As the organization represented major food and beverage manufacturers, they played a key role in defining what became the industry standard pallet.

Grocery stores, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants all use pallets to handle food and beverages. To ensure the process of moving products between warehouses and locations is quick and standardized, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), now known as the Consumer Brands Association (CBA), has established a set of guidelines for all food industry pallets.

These GMA pallet guidelines contain detailed dimensions and specifications, as well as quality classification parameters.

GMA pallets follow a standard set of specifications to ensure consistency across industries. These include:

• Four-way forklift entry with two notches on the side
• Top and bottom deck boards are a minimum of 1/2 inch thick
• A 5 1/2″ x 40″ board on each end of the pallet top and five 3 1/2″ x 40″ boards in the center
• A 5 1/2″ x 40″ board on each end of the pallet bottom and three 3 1/2″ x 40″ boards between the notches

GMA Pallets are 48” by 40” (48×40) and are considered the standard pallet size. 

For more information, visit our page on Standard Pallet Sizes

Typically, they have a minimum load-bearing capacity of 2,500 pounds. They also have a predicted maximum safe load of 4,600 pounds if the fork tine is parallel to the length of the pallet.

A standard 48×40 GMA pallet will weigh around 44-59 lbs, depending on the type of wood it is made out of.

For more information, view our blog on How Much Does A Pallet Weigh

While GMA pallets can be heat-treated, it is not a requirement of the CBA in order to meet the guidelines of a GMA pallet. However, if you are using a pallet for international shipping, it must be heat-treated. 

The GMA pallet is either new or a recycled pallet that is categorized into three general grades: Premium, A, and B. In certain regions, these categories may be referred to as Supers/Wide-lead, #1, and #2.

Grade A or #1 is the highest quality recycled pallet. These are products that are generally in good condition and may feature mending plates or staples but cannot include block or companion board repairs.

Within the Grade A GMA Pallet product segment, there are two subcategories: Premium Grade and Standard Grade.

The most significant difference between the Premium Grade and Standard Grade pallets is the presence of a wide-lead (nominal 6″) lead board on both the top and bottom decks. Premium Grade A pallets should have 6″ lead boards on both the top and bottom. Some Standard Grade A pallets may include wide-lead boards solely on the top and be considered Standard Grade A.

Summary:

• No block repairs to stringers
• Lead board chip-back breakage of up to 1” x 8” is acceptable
• Each stringer may have one set of repair plates or staples to strengthen any split
• Minimal small blackout markings on the sides are acceptable

Grade B or #2 pallets show an indication of more extensive use than Grade A pallets. They may be worn and discolored or have broken stringers that have been repaired with companion runners.

Summary:

• Block/Plug repairs to stringers are acceptable
• Block/Plugs can be in various locations & of various lengths
• No more than two extra blocks (stringers) thick at any one point
• Lead board chip-back breakage of up to 1” x 20” is acceptable
• Popular for those who can accept the standard due to the lower cost compared to Grade A pallets.

A standard trailer can accommodate a maximum height of 104”. This translates to roughly being able to house around 30 pallets, 60 if they can be double stacked. However, it’s worth noting that some goods can not be stacked.

While many pallet manufacturers can produce pallets that meet GMA specifications, there are a few key factors to consider when choosing the right supplier:

Do you need heat-treated GMA pallets? If so, make sure the supplier is ISPM-15 certified and equipped to provide properly treated pallets.

Is your supplier knowledgeable enough to assess whether a GMA pallet is the best fit for your product? Depending on the size, weight, and nature of what you’re shipping, there may be more efficient or cost-effective options. A good supplier can also help you find the most optimized pallet program for your needs.

Can the supplier meet your current and future volume demands? If your business grows, can they scale with you? Consider whether they serve just one region or if they can support your operations nationwide.

At Kamps, we sort, repair, and deliver thousands of GMA pallets every day – it’s one of our specialties. Our first and main location in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is home to many food processors and manufacturers, as well as grocery stores and restaurants. Our clients rely on Kamps to provide the pallets that keep this food chain moving so that fresh and packaged food gets to their customers on time and in good condition. We take this responsibility very seriously.

We also make it a point at Kamps to standardize these grades across all locations nationwide. We believe that our customers and their clients deserve consistent quality and a partner that can meet expectations, regardless of size.

If your business uses GMA pallets and you would like to discuss which grade of pallet would best meet your needs and your company’s budget, contact us today. We’d love to go through your options and supply you with a great pallet at a great price.

This article was originally published on Oct 30, 2018, updated on April 22nd, 2025