43 x 43 Plastic Pallets
Key information for 43 x 43 plastic pallet buyers
- Load capacity: 2,200 - 5,300 lbs dynamic; up to 20,000 lbs static, depending on deck and base style
- Price: $8-$18
- Common types: Rackable, stackable, and nestable - all available in 43 x 43.
- Per pallet: Sized to carry one standard FIBC/Super Sack bulk bag.
- Per truck: Roughly 420-1,260 pallets per load depending on nestable vs. rigid base style.
- More: Read how much plastic pallets are worth for a full pricing breakdown.
Overview
The 43" x 43" plastic pallet is a square-shaped export pallet designed to optimize space inside ISO freight containers and support FIBC (Super Sack) bulk bag loads. Its footprint and construction are built specifically for international shipping rather than domestic warehouse use.
Size and capacity
43 x 43 plastic pallets come in rackable, stackable, and nestable configurations. The square footprint is built for export shipping and bulk bag loads, and it is sized to make efficient use of space inside ISO freight containers.
Common types on this size
- Rackable - built with a cruciform or runner base for beam support. Works in standard selective racking when beam depth allows.
- Stackable - designed to stack loaded pallets on top of one another for floor storage or container loading.
- Nestable - legs nest inside each other when empty, cutting return freight volume. Common on a 9-foot nesting base.
Not sure which type fits your operation? Read how much plastic pallets are worth for a full breakdown of type vs. price tradeoffs.
43 x 43 vs. 48 x 40 vs. 48 x 48 plastic pallets
The 48 x 40 is the standard GMA pallet size and fits most grocery, retail, and general warehouse supply chains. The 48 x 48 is a square pallet sized for drums, bulk containers, and square industrial loads. The 43 x 43 is a smaller square export pallet built to optimize space inside ISO freight containers and carry FIBC/Super Sack bulk bag loads.
| 43 x 43 | 48 x 40 | 48 x 48 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Square | Rectangular | Square |
| Best for | Export shipping, FIBC/Super Sack bulk bags, ISO container loads | General warehouse, grocery, retail | Drums, bulk containers, square loads |
| GMA compatible | No | Yes | No |
| Availability used | More limited | More common | More limited |
| Export use | Purpose-built for ISO container export; plastic is ISPM-15 exempt | Works for export but not container-optimized | Works for export but not container-optimized |
| Fits one FIBC/Super Sack | Yes - purpose sized | No - overhang common | No - oversized for most bags |
If your operation runs a standard domestic supply chain with rectangular loads, the 48 x 40 plastic pallet will be easier to source used and will give you more listing options. If you're handling drums or square bulk containers, the 48 x 48 is the better fit. If you're exporting bulk bag or flowable product in ISO containers, the 43 x 43 is purpose-built for that job and, being plastic, is exempt from ISPM-15 wood packaging treatment requirements at customs.
Browse all sizes on the plastic pallets page.
Frequently asked questions about 43x43 plastic pallets
Why is the 43 x 43 plastic pallet used for exports specifically?
The 43 x 43 footprint is built to optimize space inside standard ISO freight containers, which is why it's one of the most common sizes for exporting flowable and granular product packed in FIBC (Super Sack) bulk bags. The square shape also resists load tipping better than a rectangular pallet when a single large bag sits on top, which matters during ocean transit. This is a specialty export size rather than a general warehouse pallet, so most buyers sourcing 43 x 43 are shipping internationally rather than moving product domestically.
Do plastic 43 x 43 pallets need ISPM-15 treatment to export?
No. ISPM-15 only applies to solid wood packaging materials. Plastic pallets, including the 43 x 43, are completely exempt from ISPM-15 regulations, so there's no heat treatment, stamping, or certificate to manage before shipping. This is one of the main reasons exporters choose plastic over wood for this size class - it removes a customs compliance step that wood pallets require in over 85 countries that have adopted the standard.
What load capacity does a 43 x 43 plastic pallet have?
It varies significantly by deck and base style. Dynamic load (capacity while being moved by forklift or hand jack) typically runs 2,200 to 5,300 lbs, while static load (stacked, stationary) can range from roughly 4,400 lbs up to 20,000 lbs depending on the base construction. Nestable versions built for lightweight export tend to sit at the lower end of that range, while rackable and heavier-duty rigid-base versions sit higher. Check the spec sheet for the specific pallet style you're sourcing rather than assuming a single number applies across all 43 x 43 pallets.
Is a 43 x 43 plastic pallet harder to source used than a 48 x 40?
Yes. The 43 x 43 is a specialty export size, while the 48 x 40 circulates in much higher volume through domestic grocery, retail, and general warehouse supply chains. Used 43 x 43 inventory comes primarily from exporters, chemical and feed companies, and manufacturers cycling out pallets after import/export runs. Availability is more limited and lot sizes tend to be smaller than what you'd find for standard GMA sizes.
Sources
Specs and sizing information on this page come from published manufacturer documentation and industry guides. Pricing comes from Verde Trader transaction records.
Manufacturer specifications
- Nelson Company - 43x43 plastic pallet listings. Load capacity, weight, and base/deck configuration ranges cited on this page.
- TranPak - 43x43 nestable export pallet. Used to confirm ISO container fit and ISPM-15 exemption for this size class.
Terminology and background
- One Way Solutions - 43 x 43 plastic pallets. Reference on export container optimization use case for this footprint.
- iGPS Logistics - Pallet requirements for export. Reference for ISPM-15 plastic pallet exemption.
- Go Plastic Pallets - Plastic pallet sizes: what's right for you. Size comparison reference used to contextualize the 43 x 43 footprint against other common sizes including the 48 x 40.
Our sales data (what people actually pay)
- Verde Trader sold-order data. [PENDING - pg-mcp auth still failing]
