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Quick Service Guide 705b
Special Standards
Pallets, Pallet Boxes, and Trays on Pallets
January 2006
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General (705.8.1)
Pallets are plastic or wooden platforms upon which mail (trays, sacks,
bundles, or parcels) is stacked.
The Postal Service supplies pallets to mailers.
Dimensions (705.8)
Pallets measure approximately 40" x 48".
Height:
- Maximum height, single pallet: 77" (pallet + mail + top cap).
Some Parcel Post discounts have different height requirements. See
individual
QSGs.
- Maximum height, stacked pallets: 84" (pallets + mail + top
caps).
Weight:
- Minimum load: 36 linear feet of letter trays or 3 full levels
of trays. For bundles (flats), parcels, or sacks, 250 pounds. Trays
on pallets
and some Parcel
Post discounts do not have minimum weight requirements. See 705.8.5.3 for
exception to the minimum weight.
- Maximum weight: 2,200 pounds (pallet(s) + mail + top cap(s)).
Labels (705.8.6)
Pallets are labeled according to content and destination of the mail.
At least two clearly visible labels must be affixed to two adjacent
sides of
each pallet.
Use pink labels for Periodicals or white labels for Standard Mail and
Package Services.
Labels must be at least 8" x 11"; lettering for required information
must be at least 1/2" high.
Top Caps (705.8.2)
Top caps may be used on any pallet. They must be used on stacked pallets
when individual pallets do not have a sturdy, flat top surface. Top
caps must be strapped
or stretchwrapped onto the pallet. Mailers must supply their own top caps.
Strapping and Stretchwrap (705.8.1.3)
Each pallet must be secured with at least two straps or bands or be wrapped
with plastic stretchwrap (or both). Stretchwrap must be wrapped completely
over the
lip of the pallet.
Stretchwrap is preferred for most pallets.
Stacking Pallets (705.8.3)
Pallets may be stacked to a maximum of four high or 84". Individual
pallets must be strapped or stretchwrapped (or both); the entire pallet
stack must be
securely banded (not stretchwrapped). The heaviest pallet must be on the bottom
of the stack; the lightest pallet must be on the top. There must be enough space
between pallets to allow for a forklift.
Measuring a Pallet
Measuring points on a pallet are shown on reverse.
How a pallet is measured is determined by the type of container (e.g.,
trays vs. sacks) and the type of discount. See individual Quick Service
Guides.
For the specific DMM standards applicable to this category of mail,
consult the DMM sections referenced above and the general sections
within each DMM
module.
Pallet Measurements
Pallet Components
Stacked
General (705.8.4)
A pallet box is a sturdy corrugated fiberboard box placed on a pallet.
Pallet boxes may be filled with sacks or parcels (machinable or nonmachinable
or both depending on rate category). Mailers must supply their own pallet
boxes, which must meet the requirements in 705.8.4.
Dimensions (705.8.4)
Pallet Box (without pallet)
Base: 40" x 48"
Height:
- For Parcel Post DSCF and DDU: not greater than 60 inches.
- For Parcel Post OBMC Presort and BMC Presort: must equal 69 inches.
Pallet Box with Pallet
Height:
- Maximum height, single pallet: 77" (pallet + pallet box +
top cap).
- Maximum height, stacked pallets: 84" (pallets + pallet boxes
+ top caps).
The contents may not stick up over the rim of the pallet box.
Weight:
- Minimum weight: 250 pounds. See 705.8.3 for exception to minimum
weight. Some Parcel Post rates and discounts have different
minimum load requirements.
See 705.8.11.
- Maximum weight: 2,200 pounds (pallet(s) + pallet box(es) + mail
+ top cap(s)).
Labels (705.8.6)
Pallet boxes are labeled according to content and destination of the
mail. See individual QSGs.
At least two clearly visible labels must be affixed to two adjacent
sides of each pallet box.
Use pink labels for Periodicals and white labels for Standard Mail
and Package Services.
Top Caps (705.8.2)
Top caps are not required on single pallet boxes; they are required on
stacked pallet boxes. Top caps must be securely fastened onto the pallet
box and pallet.
Strapping and Stretchwrap (705.8.4)
Each pallet box must be securely strapped or stretchwrapped (or both)
to its pallet for safe transport (except when the pallet is accepted
at the postal facility where the contents are distributed and the weight
of the mail in the box will hold the box in place during transport and
processing).
Stacking Pallets of Pallet Boxes (705.8.3)
Pallet boxes may be stacked to a maximum of four high or 84". Individual
pallets must be strapped or stretchwrapped (or both); the entire pallet
stack must be securely banded
(not stretchwrapped). There must be enough space between pallets to allow
for a forklift.
Measuring a Pallet Box
Measuring points on a pallet box are included in "Pallet Measurements." See
individual QSGs for how to measure mail for specific discounts.
A Pallet Box
General (705.8.10)
Trays are stacked on pallets so that many trays can be moved as a single
unit.
Trays must be individually sleeved, strapped, and labeled. See 705.8.13.5 for
exception to the strapping requirement.
Any combination of trays (1-foot, 2-foot, EMM) can be stacked on the
same pallet, as long
as the finished pallet is sturdy and meets all height and weight requirements.
Trays may not be combined with other containers (parcels, sacks) on
the same pallet.
Dimensions (705.8.5)
Height:
- Minimum volume: 36 linear feet of letter trays or 3 full levels
of trays. See 705.8 for exception to the minimum height.
- Maximum height, single pallet: 77" (pallet + mail + top cap)
or 12 layers of MM trays (11 layers of EMM trays).
- Maximum height, stacked pallets: 84" (pallets + mail + top
caps).
Weight:
- Minimum weight: none. Based on number of tray levels.
- Maximum weight: 2,200 pounds.
Labels (705.8.6)
Pallets are labeled according to content and destination of the mail.
See individual QSGs.
At least two clearly visible labels must be affixed to two adjacent
sides of each pallet.
Use pink labels for Periodicals and white labels for Standard Mail
and Package Services.
Labels must be at least 8" x 11"; lettering for required information
must be at least 1/2" high.
Top Caps (705.8.2)
Top caps are not required except when pallets are stacked. If used, top
caps must be stretchwrapped or banded onto the trays and pallet.
Stretchwrap (705.8.14.5)
Stretchwrap must be used to secure the trays to the pallet and must be
securely wrapped around
the pallet. Banding alone is not permitted.
Tips on Stacking Trays
Trays should be counter-stacked where possible to build the sturdiest
pallet possible.
It is easy to build a very sturdy locking pallet of all 2-foot trays
(see diagram below for
recommended method).
All trays on a pallet should be stacked right-side-up with labels facing
outward (where possible).
Stacking Pallets of Trays
Pallets of trays may be stacked to a maximum of four high or 84".
Individual pallets must be stretchwrapped; the entire pallet stack must
be securely banded (not stretchwrapped). There must be enough space between
pallets to allow for a forklift.
Trays on a Pallet
Building a Locking Skid
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