The usual dividing line is the bottom deck: a pallet has deckboards on both top and bottom, while a skid has a single deck resting on runners, feet or blocks with nothing underneath. In everyday speech the two words are often used interchangeably, but the difference matters for handling equipment, load stability and freight classification.
The simple rule
FedEx Freight summarizes the distinction in one sentence: a pallet has bottom deck boards, and a skid does not. An Australian materials handling firm describes the same split in terms of construction: a skid is a single loading platform on feet, typically four corner feet, while a pallet has top and bottom deck boards connected by three or four stringers.
This matches the structural vocabulary in pallet standards, where the deck arrangement (single-deck or double-deck) is one of the basic ways to classify a pallet; see pallet anatomy. A single-deck pallet with runners but no bottom deck is what most people call a skid.
Construction compared
| Feature | Skid | Pallet |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | One top deck | Top deck, and usually a bottom deck |
| Supports | Runners (long rails), feet or blocks directly under the deck | Stringers or blocks between decks |
| Fork entry | Typically two sides, only if runners are spaced for forks; sometimes lifted by hooks, slings or from the front | Two-way or four-way; see two-way vs four-way pallets |
| Pallet jack use | Often poor; wheels may drag or catch on runners | Usually fine if bottom deck and openings are suitable |
| Stacking | Limited; load rests on runners | Stable, bottom deck spreads weight |
| Weight and cost | Lighter and cheaper to build | More material, heavier |
| Typical material | Wood, sometimes steel, plastic or nestable designs | Wood, plastic, metal, paper, presswood |
A skid's missing bottom deck makes it simpler, but also less stable. Bottom boards add stiffness, keep the supports from spreading apart, let the pallet slide on conveyors and distribute weight onto floor or rack beams. For the broader family of constructions, see stringer vs block pallets.
Handling differences
Skids are built for heavy, bulky or awkward items that need to be moved in small steps. The runners keep the load above the ground and allow it to be dragged, towed, hooked, or lifted with forks where openings suit. The Adaptalift article says skids suit heavy equipment that has to be repositioned frequently, particularly on uneven surfaces, and that some skid feet can be designed to nest inside each other to save space.
Pallets are built for machines. They are lifted from below by forklifts and pallet trucks, travel on conveyors, sit in racks and stack in trucks and warehouses. If pallet jacks are in use, the bottom deck design must let wheels roll; see forklifts and pallet jacks.
Terminology confusion
The words are used loosely, and meanings differ by industry and region. Some points to remember:
- In general conversation, "skid" is often used for any shipping platform, including fully decked pallets. Industry sources note that the terms are commonly interchanged.
- In North American freight, quoted rates and booking forms often say "skid" or "pallet" for the same thing: a loaded platform. A carrier's tariff or classification rule may still define one by its bottom deck, so check the carrier's definition if it affects dimensions or price. See pallet networks and LTL.
- In many other markets, "pallet" is the standard word, and "skid" survives mainly for heavy-duty runners used in machinery and industrial shipping.
- Some nestable plastic or presswood platforms with feet and no bottom deck are called "nestable pallets" in one place and "skids" in another.
When writing a purchase specification, describe the construction instead of relying on the word: top deck, bottom deck, support type, entry and dimensions.
Common uses today
Skids remain common in:
- Heavy machinery and equipment, where steel or heavy timber runners spread the weight and allow rigging with chains or forks.
- Wooden crates and cases, built on skids for export. See wooden packaging for machinery and export crates.
- Drums, large containers and barrels, sometimes on molded skids.
- Nestable or lightweight one-way bases, where weight and space matter more than stacking strength.
- In-plant movement, where skids are pulled by tugs or hand trucks.
Pallets are used wherever mechanical handling and standardized storage matter, for example in warehouses, retail logistics and road freight.
Regulations and treatment
Wood skids and wooden pallets are both wood packaging material. When they leave the country, they fall under ISPM 15 and need heat treatment or fumigation and the official mark; the shape of the platform makes no difference. Skids made of plastic, paper or processed wood are outside ISPM 15. See ISPM 15 explained.
How to choose
Choose a skid when the load is heavy and concentrated, handling is infrequent or on rough ground, the platform is part of a crate or equipment package, or cost and weight are priorities. Choose a pallet when loads will be stacked, conveyed, racked, handled by pallet jacks or exchanged between partners. A standardized pallet footprint also helps with truck and container fit; see what is a pallet for the basic concept.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a skid and a pallet?
A pallet has both top and bottom deckboards, while a skid has only a top deck on runners or feet. This affects stability, stacking and which equipment can handle it.
Can a forklift lift a skid?
Yes, if the runners or feet are spaced to allow fork entry, usually from two sides. Pallet jacks may have trouble, because there is no bottom deck to support the wheels' path.
Are skids and pallets the same in freight shipping?
Often the words are used the same way on bookings, but some carriers define a pallet as having bottom deck boards. Check the carrier's definition when dimensions or rates depend on it.
Do wooden skids need ISPM 15 marking for export?
Yes. Any solid wood packaging, including skids, needs treatment and marking for international shipment unless an exemption applies.
Sources
- Pallets vs. Skids: What's the Difference? — FedEx Freight
- What is the Difference between a Skid and a Pallet? — Adaptalift Hyster
- ISO 445:2013 Pallets for materials handling — Vocabulary — International Organization for Standardization
- ISPM 15: Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade — IPPC