Understanding the Differences Between Pallets, Skids, and Crates
Shipping terminology gets confusing fast. Operations managers and logistics professionals across Georgia use the terms “pallet,” “skid,” and “crate” interchangeably every day and that mix-up can lead to real problems when the wrong packaging ends up on the dock. Choosing the right platform or enclosure for your shipment directly affects protection, handling, and compliance. At Atlanta International Packaging and Crate, we want to make sure your team starts every shipment with the right foundation. Pallet vs Skid vs Crate in Georgia and surrounding areas: learn which you should choose.
What Is a Pallet?
A pallet is a flat, horizontal platform used to stack, store, and transport goods. It serves as the base on which freight is secured before moving through a supply chain.
Key features of a pallet include:
- Bottom deck boards that allow entry from all four sides by a forklift or pallet jack
- Top and bottom decks connected by stringers or blocks
- Standard dimensions of 48″ x 40″ for most North American freight
Pallets are the backbone of industrial freight. They simplify loading and unloading, reduce handling time, and keep goods stable during transit.
What Is a Skid?
A skid is similar to a pallet but has one critical difference: it has no bottom deck. Think of a skid as the original pallet, a single-layer platform supported by legs or runners.
Custom skids work well for:
- Heavy machinery that needs to be slid into position
- Equipment that requires ground-level access at the destination
- Loads that do not need forklift entry from all sides
Custom skids offer less stability than pallets on certain surfaces, but they work exceptionally well for industrial equipment and large loads that require a simpler base structure.
What Is a Crate?
A crate is a fully or partially enclosed wooden structure built to surround and protect a specific item during shipping. Unlike pallets and skids, custom crates provide structural protection on multiple sides.
Crates are the right call when cargo is:
- Fragile, high-value, or irregularly shaped
- Destined for international export
- Subject to rough handling conditions or ocean freight
At Atlanta International Packaging and Crate, our custom crates use ISPM-15 heat-treated (HT) stamped lumber, which is required for most international shipments. Reputable crating companies build each enclosure to match the exact dimensions, weight, and transit requirements of the item inside.
Key Differences Between Pallets, Skids, and Crates
Understanding pallet vs. skid vs. crate comes down to three factors: structure, protection, and application.
Structure: Pallets have two decks with full forklift access; skids have a single deck with no bottom; crates fully enclose the cargo on multiple sides.
Protection Level: Pallets and skids offer surface support but leave cargo exposed. Crates provide impact protection, stacking resistance, and environmental shielding.
Compliance Requirements: For international or export shipments, crates and pallets must use ISPM-15-certified lumber. Skids may fall under the same regulations depending on the destination.
Weight and Stability: Pallets distribute weight evenly and resist racking. Skids handle extremely heavy or oversized loads well. Crates absorb shock and protect fragile or precision cargo.
Cost: Pallets are the most economical. Custom skids scale based on size. Custom crates carry higher upfront costs but dramatically reduce the risk of damage claims and cargo loss.
When Should You Use Each?
Use a pallet when your freight is stable, stackable, and moving domestically through standard warehouse environments. Pallets suit bulk goods, boxed products, and loads that require fast turnaround.
Use a custom skid when you are shipping heavy industrial equipment, machinery that must slide into a tight space, or loads that will be set in place rather than stacked. Custom skids give technicians and riggers ground-level access at the point of installation.
Use a custom crate when the cargo is fragile, oversized, high-value, or heading overseas. Custom crates protect machinery, electronics, taxidermy mounts, trade show displays, and any item that standard freight packaging cannot safely handle. For businesses in Georgia and surrounding areas, partnering with experienced crating companies ensures your crate meets all domestic and international shipping regulations before the shipment ever leaves the facility.
Get the Right Packaging for Your Next Shipment
Knowing the difference between a pallet, skid, and crate gives your logistics team a clear starting point, but the right choice always depends on the cargo, the destination, and the stakes involved. The team at Atlanta International Packaging and Crate has over 35 years of hands-on experience helping businesses across Atlanta, Chattanooga, Augusta, and Columbus protect their freight from origin to destination. Contact us today for a free estimate and let our specialists recommend the right solution for your shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Main Difference Between a Pallet and a Skid?
A pallet has both a top and bottom deck, which allows forklift entry from all four sides. A skid only has a top deck supported by runners or legs, with no bottom boards. Skids work best under heavy equipment that needs to be slid or set in place, while pallets suit standard warehouse and freight operations.
When Do Crating Companies Recommend a Custom Crate Over a Pallet?
Crating companies recommend custom crates for cargo that is fragile, high-value, oddly shaped, or heading overseas. A crate fully encloses the item to protect it from impact, moisture, and stacking pressure—conditions a flat pallet cannot handle.
Do Custom Pallets and Custom Crates Need to Meet International Shipping Standards?
Yes. For most international destinations, wood packaging materials must comply with ISPM-15 regulations, which require heat-treated (HT) stamped lumber. At Atlanta International Packaging and Crate, every crate we build for export uses certified HT lumber to keep your shipment compliant and moving.
Can One Company Handle Custom Pallets, Custom Skids, and Custom Crates?
Absolutely. Atlanta International Packaging and Crate designs and builds all three, including EU pallets and skid design, at our Stone Mountain, GA facility and on-site at your location across Georgia and surrounding areas.