How to Ship Pallets in Canada: A Complete Guide to LTL Freight

Shipping pallets is how most businesses move freight in Canada. Whether you’re sending a single skid across Ontario or multiple pallets from Toronto to Vancouver, the process follows the same core steps - but getting the details right is what separates a smooth shipment from an expensive headache.

Customs reclassifications, damaged freight, surprise accessorial charges - these are the kinds of problems that hit shippers who skip the basics. And they’re entirely avoidable.

This guide walks through how pallet shipping works in Canada, what affects your rate, how to prepare your freight properly, and how to get a competitive quote - whether you’re shipping domestically or cross-border to the United States.

What Is Pallet Shipping (and How Does LTL Freight Work)?

Pallet shipping means loading your goods onto a flat wooden or plastic platform - a pallet - and sending it via a freight carrier. It’s the standard way businesses ship anything too heavy or bulky for parcel carriers like Canada Post or Purolator.

Most pallet shipments in Canada move via LTL freight: less-than-truckload. That means your pallets share space on a truck with other shippers’ goods. You pay only for the space you use, not the entire trailer. LTL is the go-to option when you’re shipping between one and six pallets, with a combined weight between 100 and 10,000 pounds.

If your shipment fills a full trailer - typically 12+ pallets or over 10,000 lbs - full truckload (FTL) shipping is usually more cost-effective and faster, since your freight moves directly from origin to destination without terminal stops.

Standard Pallet Sizes in Canada: Dimensions, Weight Limits, and Types

The GMA Standard Pallet (48” × 40”)

The most common pallet in North America is the GMA (Grocery Manufacturers Association) standard, measuring 48 inches long by 40 inches wide (122 cm × 102 cm). This is the size virtually all Canadian LTL carriers are set up to handle, and the one you should default to unless you have a specific reason not to.

Most carriers allow a maximum height of 84 inches (213 cm) including the pallet itself, and a maximum weight of 1,500 to 2,500 lbs per pallet depending on the carrier.

Other Pallet Types: Euro, Block, and Double-Wing

You’ll occasionally encounter 42″×42″ pallets (common in paint and telecom), 48″×48″ pallets (used in drums and barrels), and Euro pallets (1200 mm × 800 mm), which are rare in Canadian domestic shipping but show up in import freight.

One distinction worth knowing: a skid is similar to a pallet but has no bottom deck boards - just top boards and stringers. Both are used in LTL freight, but pallets are more common because they’re easier to handle with forklifts and pallet jacks.

Carrier Pallet Requirements: What Canadian LTL Carriers Expect

Before booking, confirm your carrier’s pallet requirements. The general standards across most Canadian LTL carriers:
Maximum pallet dimensions: 48″L × 48″W × 84″H (including pallet height). Maximum weight per pallet: 1,500–2,500 lbs (varies by carrier). Pallet condition: no broken boards, cracked stringers, or protruding nails.

Overhang: freight must not extend beyond the pallet edges. Overhanging goods are significantly more likely to be damaged and may be refused by the carrier.

How to Prepare Your Pallet for Shipping

Step 1: Stack and Secure Your Freight

Place the heaviest boxes or items at the bottom of the pallet. Stack in an interlocking brick pattern when possible - this distributes weight evenly and prevents shifting during transit. Nothing should overhang the pallet edges. If there’s a gap between your freight and the pallet edge, fill it with dunnage or void fill so items can’t shift.

Place a sheet of cardboard or chipboard between the pallet surface and your goods to protect against splinters, nails, and moisture from the wood.

Step 2: Shrink Wrap and Strap

Shrink wrapping is required by most Canadian LTL carriers. Use a minimum of 70-gauge stretch film. Start at the base of the pallet and wrap upward, overlapping each layer by at least 50%. Make at least five full revolutions around the entire load. Critically, wrap around the pallet base itself - not just the goods on top - so the freight and the pallet become one solid unit.

For tall, heavy, or top-heavy shipments, twist the stretch film every other pass to create a rope-like band for extra rigidity.

For loads over 1,000 lbs, add at least two nylon or poly straps threaded through the pallet fork openings and tightened with a ratchet.

Add cardboard corner protectors on fragile or high-value shipments to prevent strap and wrap damage to outer cartons.

Step 3: Label Correctly

Place shipping labels on at least two sides of the pallet where they’re visible when the pallet is in a row. Each label should include: shipper name and address, consignee (receiver) name and address, PO number or reference number, total piece count and weight, and any handling instructions (fragile, this side up, do not stack, keep dry).

Remove or cover all labels and markings from previous shipments. Leftover labels are one of the most common causes of misrouted freight in LTL networks.

Understanding Freight Class and Density (Why It Affects Your Rate)

Your freight class is the single biggest factor in your LTL rate after distance. The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system assigns every commodity a class from 50 to 500 based primarily on density, but also on handling difficulty, stowability, and liability.

The formula is straightforward: measure your pallet’s length, width, and height in inches, multiply them together, divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide the weight (in pounds) by the cubic feet. The result is your density in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). Higher density generally means a lower freight class, and a lower class means a lower rate.

Getting this wrong is expensive. If you declare Class 85 but the carrier inspects and determines your freight is actually Class 125, you’ll be billed at the higher class retroactively, plus a reclassification and inspection fee.

Use Freightzy’s free freight class calculator to determine your class before booking. If you’re unsure about your commodity’s NMFC code, email info@freightzy.com with a description and we’ll look it up for you.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Pallet in Canada?

What Determines Pallet Shipping Rates

Six factors drive your LTL pallet rate:
Weight and dimensions: heavier, denser freight generally gets better per-pound rates, but total cost increases with weight. Freight class: determined by your commodity’s density and NMFC classification. Origin and destination: longer distances cost more, but high-traffic lanes (Toronto–Montreal, Calgary–Vancouver) tend to have more competitive rates because of carrier volume. 

Accessorial services: liftgate (called tailgate in Canada), inside delivery, residential delivery, and appointment scheduling each add $50–$200+. Carrier: rates vary 20–40% between carriers for the same lane and commodity. This is why comparing quotes matters.

Ballpark Pricing for Common Canadian Lanes

Exact rates depend on the factors above, but to give you a realistic frame of reference:

These are estimated ranges for standard, non-hazardous freight on standard pallets. Actual rates depend on freight class, carrier, accessorials, and current fuel surcharges. Northern and remote destinations (anything above the 60th parallel or off major highway corridors) will be significantly higher.

How to Get a Pallet Freight Quote

Before requesting a quote, have these details ready: origin and destination postal codes, number of pallets or pieces, total weight (in lbs or kg), dimensions per pallet (L × W × H), commodity description or freight class, and any special requirements (tailgate/liftgate, residential delivery, inside delivery, appointment).

With Freightzy, the process is straightforward:
Submit your shipment details through the online quoting tool or call 877-626-3317. Receive quotes from multiple vetted carriers, compared side by side. Choose the rate and service level that fits your budget and timeline. Book the shipment. Freightzy handles carrier coordination, BOL generation, and tracking from pickup to delivery.

No volume minimums. Single-pallet shipments are welcome. And unlike carrier-direct quoting, you’re comparing rates across 100+ carriers in one step rather than calling each one individually.

Get a Pallet Freight Quote with Freightzy's shipping quote calculator.

Shipping Pallets Cross-Border: Canada to the U.S.

Everything above applies to cross-border pallet shipments, with one additional layer: customs documentation. When shipping between Canada and the U.S., you’ll need a commercial invoice, a bill of lading with accurate commodity descriptions, and - if applicable - a certificate of origin for duty-free entry under USMCA.

Freightzy coordinates customs clearance as part of the cross-border quote, so you don’t need to manage a separate customs broker. The same quoting process applies: submit your specs, receive carrier options (including cross-border carriers), and book.

For a complete walkthrough of customs requirements, documentation, and common pitfalls, see our guide to shipping freight to Canada.

5 Common Pallet Shipping Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Inaccurate weight or dimensions. This is the most expensive mistake in LTL. If your declared weight or dims don’t match what the carrier measures, you’ll face reclassification fees, re-weighing charges, and a higher rate. Always weigh and measure your freight before quoting - don’t estimate.

2. Poor shrink wrapping. Freight that shifts or falls off the pallet in transit results in damage claims - and carriers will push back if the packaging was inadequate. Five full wraps minimum, locked to the pallet base, with corner protectors on fragile goods.

3. Overhanging freight. Goods that extend past the pallet edges get damaged by adjacent freight, trailer walls, or forklifts. Some carriers will refuse overhanging pallets outright. If your goods are wider than the pallet, use a larger pallet.

4. Leftover labels from previous shipments. Old labels confuse terminal workers scanning at cross-docks. Your pallet gets misrouted, delivery is delayed, and you’re on the phone trying to track it down. Remove or cover every previous label before shipping.

5. Not comparing carrier rates. LTL rates vary 20–40% between carriers for identical lanes and commodities. Booking with the first carrier you find - or the one you’ve always used - often means overpaying. A freight broker like Freightzy compares multiple carriers in one step so you don’t leave money on the table.

Ready to Ship?

Get a pallet freight quote in minutes. Freightzy compares rates from 100+ vetted carriers across Canada and the U.S., with no volume minimums and real human support at every step.

Get a Shipping  Quote  |  Call Us: 877-626-3317  |  Email US: info@freightzy.com

FAQ: About Pallet Shipping in Canada

How much does it cost to ship a pallet in Canada?

Typically $150–$600+ per pallet depending on weight, dimensions, freight class, distance, and carrier. A 500 lb standard pallet shipped under 1,000 km usually falls in the $150–$350 range. Get an exact shipping quote through Freightzy.

What is the standard pallet size in Canada?

The GMA standard pallet is 48” × 40” (122 cm × 102 cm). This is the most widely used size in North America and is accepted by virtually all Canadian LTL carriers.

Can I ship just one pallet?

Yes. LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping is designed for exactly this. Your single pallet shares space with other shipments on the same truck, which keeps costs down. Freightzy has no volume minimums.

What’s the difference between a pallet and a skid?

A pallet has both a top and bottom deck (the boards that form the flat surface). A skid only has a top deck with stringers - no bottom boards. Both are used in LTL freight, but pallets are more common because they’re easier to handle with forklifts.

Do I need to shrink wrap my pallet?

Yes. Most Canadian LTL carriers require pallets to be shrink wrapped. Use at least 5 full wraps of 70-gauge stretch film, starting from the base and overlapping each layer by half. Wrap around the pallet base itself to lock the freight in place.

How do I find my freight class?

Use Freightzy’s free freight class calculator. Enter your pallet’s weight and dimensions, and it will return your estimated freight class based on density. If you need help finding your NMFC code, email  info@freightzy.com .