Product Grading Guide
Understanding our comprehensive grading system helps you choose the right products for your specific needs and budget.
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Understanding Product Grades
Our grading system provides transparency and consistency. Each grade has specific criteria that help you match the right product condition to your application and budget. Higher grades offer better appearance and longer life, while lower grades provide economical options for single-use or non-critical applications.
Grade A - Premium
Like new condition. Best appearance and longest life.
Grade B - Standard
Good condition. Best value for most applications.
Grade C - Economy
Usable condition. Budget-friendly single-use option.
Pallet Grading System
Our pallets are graded according to industry standards with additional criteria for maximum transparency.
Premium / Like New
Pallets in excellent condition with minimal wear. Perfect for customer-facing shipments, export, or retail displays. These pallets have been carefully inspected and meet the highest quality standards.
Life Expectancy: 10+ trips remaining
Quality Criteria:
- No broken or missing boards
- No protruding nails or staples
- Minimal staining or discoloration (less than 10%)
- Structurally sound - all blocks/stringers intact
- Clean appearance suitable for retail
- Full load capacity maintained
- Corners intact with no significant damage
- No evidence of pest damage
Best For:
Export shipments, retail displays, customer deliveries, pharmaceutical, food industry
Not Ideal For:
Budget-conscious one-way shipping, internal warehouse use only
Typical Uses:
- • International export (meets ISPM-15 requirements when heat-treated)
- • Retail store displays
- • Direct customer shipments
- • Pharmaceutical distribution
Standard / Good Condition
Pallets in good working condition with light wear. The best value option for most business applications. These pallets offer excellent functionality at a lower price point than Grade A.
Life Expectancy: 5-10 trips remaining
Quality Criteria:
- May have 1-2 professionally repaired or replaced boards
- Light staining acceptable (up to 30%)
- Fully functional for normal use and rated loads
- All repairs properly secured with nails/screws
- Minor cosmetic imperfections acceptable
- Sound structural integrity
- Some deck board gaps acceptable (within spec)
- No active pest issues
Best For:
Warehousing, internal use, standard B2B shipping, manufacturing
Not Ideal For:
Customer-facing retail, export (unless treated), pharmaceutical
Typical Uses:
- • Warehouse storage and racking
- • Manufacturing plant operations
- • B2B shipping (non-retail)
- • Distribution center operations
Economy / Usable
Pallets that show visible wear but remain fully functional for their rated capacity. Best for one-way shipping, single-use applications, or operations where appearance is not a concern.
Life Expectancy: 1-3 trips remaining
Quality Criteria:
- Multiple repairs acceptable (3+ boards)
- Visible wear and staining throughout
- May have minor damage that doesn't affect function
- Still meets minimum weight requirements
- Most economical option available
- Sound enough for single trips
- May have mismatched repair boards
- Requires inspection before heavy loads
Best For:
One-way shipping, recycling operations, non-critical storage, budget projects
Not Ideal For:
Racking systems, repeated use, customer shipments
Typical Uses:
- • One-way shipping (ship and dispose)
- • Recycling facility collection
- • Scrap metal collection
- • Landscaping projects
Gaylord Box Grading System
Corrugated bulk boxes are graded based on structural integrity, appearance, and remaining capacity.
Brand new, unused boxes direct from manufacturer. Maximum strength and clean appearance.
Features:
- Never used - factory fresh
- Full 65 lb. burst strength
- Clean, unmarked appearance
- Maximum stacking strength
- All flaps intact and crisp
- No exposure to moisture
Best For:
Food industry, pharmaceutical, clean room applications, export
Capacity: 2,000-2,500 lbs
Gently used boxes in excellent condition. Light use with minimal wear.
Features:
- Used 1-2 times only
- Clean with minimal marking
- Strong corners and flaps
- Multiple uses remaining
- Near-full strength retained
- Minor printing acceptable
Best For:
Customer shipments, light industrial, retail distribution
Capacity: 1,800-2,200 lbs
Good usable condition with visible wear. Excellent value for most applications.
Features:
- Moderate use visible
- Some cosmetic imperfections
- Corners may show wear
- Still structurally sound
- Best price-to-value ratio
- Printing/labels present
Best For:
Warehousing, internal transfers, recycling collection, non-customer facing
Capacity: 1,500-2,000 lbs
Economical option for single-use applications. Visible wear but functional.
Features:
- Heavy wear visible
- May have repairs
- One more use expected
- Most affordable option
- Good for recycling
- Best for disposable needs
Best For:
Scrap collection, one-way shipping, recycling, disposal items
Capacity: 1,000-1,500 lbs
IBC Tote Grading System
IBC totes have specific grading based on condition, certifications, and suitability for different contents.
Never used, original manufacturer condition with full warranty.
Features:
- Factory sealed
- Full manufacturer warranty
- No prior contents
- All certifications valid
- Maximum lifespan
- Original documentation
Certifications:
- • UN/DOT rated
- • FDA compliant options
Best For:
Sensitive chemicals, food ingredients, pharmaceutical applications
Professionally cleaned, tested, and certified for reuse. New valve and gaskets installed.
Features:
- Pressure tested
- New valves installed
- New gaskets/seals
- Interior cleaned/sanitized
- Exterior cleaned
- Full inspection completed
Certifications:
- • Recertified UN/DOT
- • Test certificates available
Best For:
Industrial chemicals, non-food liquids, general liquid storage
Specifically prepared and certified for food-contact applications. Traceable history.
Features:
- Food-safe cleaning process
- Traceable prior contents
- FDA compliant
- New food-grade valve
- Sanitized interior
- Lot tracking available
Certifications:
- • FDA compliant
- • Food-grade certified
- • Kosher options
Best For:
Beverages, food ingredients, edible oils, syrups, food processing
Used totes sold as-is for non-critical applications. May need cleaning.
Features:
- Sold as-is condition
- Prior contents disclosed
- May need cleaning
- Budget-friendly option
- Good for non-liquid use
- Cage intact and functional
Certifications:
- • Original certifications may be expired
Best For:
Rainwater collection, non-food storage, garden use, DIY projects
Grade Comparison Chart
Quick reference comparison across all grade levels.
| Factor | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Like new | Light wear | Visible wear |
| Structural Integrity | Excellent | Good | Acceptable |
| Repairs Allowed | 0 | 1-2 | Multiple |
| Load Capacity | 100% | 90-100% | 75-90% |
| Reuse Cycles | 10+ | 5-10 | 1-3 |
| Price Point | Premium | Value | Economy |
| Customer-Facing | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Export Suitable | Yes | With treatment | Rarely |
Our Grading Process
Every product goes through our rigorous 4-step grading process for consistent quality.
Visual Inspection
Each item is visually inspected for overall condition, damage, staining, and repairs.
- • Surface condition
- • Structural damage
- • Staining levels
- • Repair quality
Structural Testing
Pallets are tested for load-bearing capacity. Boxes tested for burst strength.
- • Weight capacity
- • Compression strength
- • Corner integrity
- • Joint stability
Grade Assignment
Based on inspection results, items are assigned A, B, or C grade.
- • Meets criteria checklist
- • Consistent standards
- • Quality verification
- • Documentation
Sorting & Storage
Graded items are sorted and stored by grade for easy fulfillment.
- • Organized inventory
- • Grade separation
- • Clean storage
- • Easy access
Recommended Grades by Industry
Not sure which grade to choose? Here are our recommendations based on industry standards and best practices.
| Industry | Pallet Grade | Gaylord Grade | IBC Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Beverage | Grade A (heat-treated) | New or Grade A | Food Grade |
| Pharmaceutical | Grade A only | New | New or Food Grade |
| Manufacturing | Grade B | Grade B | Reconditioned |
| Warehousing | Grade B | Grade B | Reconditioned |
| Retail | Grade A | Grade A or B | N/A |
| Recycling | Grade C | Grade C | Used/As-Is |
| Agriculture | Grade B or C | Grade B | Reconditioned |
| Chemical | Grade B | Grade A | New or Reconditioned |
Tips for Choosing the Right Grade
Match Grade to Application
Don't over-spec or under-spec. Grade A for customer-facing, Grade B for internal use, Grade C for disposal items.
Consider Total Cost
Grade A pallets may cost more upfront but last 3x longer than Grade C, reducing long-term costs.
Ask for Samples
Not sure which grade you need? Request samples before ordering in quantity.
Communicate Requirements
Tell us your specific needs. We can customize grade criteria for bulk orders.
Grading FAQ
Can grades be mixed in a single order?
Yes! Many customers order different grades for different applications. We can include multiple grades in a single delivery to help you optimize costs.
How consistent is grading between orders?
We maintain strict grading standards with documented criteria. Our team is trained to apply consistent standards, so Grade B today will match Grade B next month.
What if I receive items below the expected grade?
We stand behind our grading. If any items don't meet the grade specifications, contact us within 7 days and we'll replace them or issue a credit.
Are heat-treated pallets available in all grades?
Heat treatment (ISPM-15) is typically applied to Grade A pallets for export. We can heat-treat Grade B upon request for an additional fee.
Do you offer custom grading criteria?
For large-volume customers, we can establish custom grading specifications that match your exact requirements. Minimum order quantities apply.
How should I store different grades?
All grades should be stored off the ground, undercover, and away from direct sunlight. Grade A items benefit from climate-controlled storage.
Need Help Choosing a Grade?
Not sure which grade is right for your application? Our team is here to help. Tell us about your needs and we'll recommend the best grade options for your budget and requirements.
Call Us
(419) 433-8888
Email Us
info@ohio-packaging.com
Request Grade Consultation
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