How Much Can You Make Reselling Liquidation Pallets? (2026)

The Short Answer: It Depends on Three Numbers

There is no fixed profit per pallet. What you make depends on three numbers: what you pay per unit, what you can sell each unit for, and what it costs you to sell it (marketplace fees, shipping supplies, freight, and damaged items). Below we show real costs per unit by category from Discount Wholesalers Inc and walk through the math with a real pallet, so you can estimate your own numbers before you buy.

What Pallets Cost by Category

Inventory and prices change daily, and many pallets and truckloads sell before they are ever listed on the website. These ranges reflect what we typically carry. Call (910) 536-1440 or schedule a video call to see today's list.

Cosmetics and Beauty — Lowest Cost Per Unit

• Pallet cost: from about $2,000 for 1,500–3,700 units, up to about $9,500 for 10,000-unit mixes
• Cost per unit: roughly $0.65–$1.35

Cosmetic pallets have the lowest cost per item, which leaves the most room between what you pay and what you can sell for. The trade-off is time: thousands of small items take longer to sort, list, and ship.

General Merchandise — Best Variety

• Pallet cost: from about $400
• Units per pallet: varies widely by product size

GM pallets contain home goods, kitchen items, toys, and more. The variety makes them a good fit for bin stores and flea markets, where a diverse mix drives foot traffic.

Clothing and Apparel — Brand Dependent

• Pallet cost: from about $550 for 200–500 pieces
• Cost per piece: roughly $2.20–$6

Clothing pallets depend on brand and size mix. Recognized brands move faster; generic items are harder. Best for resellers who know the clothing market and can price items accurately.

Health and Personal Care — Everyday Demand

• Pallet cost: from about $900
• Cost per unit: around $1.25

HBA pallets are everyday essentials (deodorant, body wash, shampoo, oral care) that sell year-round.

Worked Example: A Real Cosmetics Pallet

Here is how to run the numbers on an actual pallet we listed: a CVS cosmetics pallet with 2,012 units for $2,157.61.

• Cost per unit: $2,157.61 ÷ 2,012 = $1.07
• If about 5% of units are unsellable (an example, not a guarantee): 1,911 sellable units
• Cost per sellable unit: $2,157.61 ÷ 1,911 = $1.13
• Selling costs on eBay (example): about 13% in fees plus about $0.50 in shipping supplies per item
• Break-even price per item: ($1.13 + $0.50) ÷ 0.87 = about $1.87

Every dollar you sell above your break-even price is your margin — before freight and your time. Add your freight cost to the pallet price before you divide, and use your own damage rate and fees: they change the result. At a bin store or flea market you sell faster, at lower prices and with no marketplace fees.

Factors That Affect Your Profit

1. Your selling channel

Online platforms (eBay, Amazon, Poshmark) yield higher prices per item but take more time to list and ship. Bin stores and flea markets are faster but lower margin. Many resellers use multiple channels.

2. Category selection

Cosmetics have the lowest cost per unit. GM is good for variety. Clothing depends heavily on brands and sizes. Stick with one category until you learn the market.

3. Volume

Buying in larger quantities lowers your cost per pallet. Truckloads start at about $5,500 for 26 pallets — about $212 per pallet — versus buying pallets one at a time.

4. Speed

The faster you list and sell items, the faster you can reinvest in more inventory. Sitting on inventory costs money (storage, time, opportunity cost).

How to Get Started

1. Start with a small lot: Try a wholesale box lot from around $100 to test a category with minimal risk
2. Track everything: Record your cost, sale price, fees, and time per item. This tells you your true margin
3. Scale what works: When you find a category that works, move from boxes to full pallets to truckloads
4. Talk to us: Call (910) 536-1440 or schedule a free video walkthrough to get recommendations based on your budget and selling channel

Frequently asked questions

How much profit can you make per pallet?

There is no fixed number. Your profit is the difference between what you sell each item for and your cost per sellable unit plus selling costs (fees, shipping supplies, freight). Use the worked example above with your own prices and fees to estimate it before you buy.

What is the most profitable type of liquidation pallet?

Cosmetics usually have the lowest cost per unit — often around $1 or less per item — which leaves the most room between cost and resale price. They also take the most time to list and sell individually.

Can you make a living reselling pallets?

Some resellers do it full time, through online stores, bin stores, or flea markets. Results depend on your cost per unit, your sales channel, how fast you sell, and how much time you put in.

How much money do I need to start?

Box lots start around $100, single pallets at about $400, and full truckloads at about $5,500. Inventory changes daily, so call (910) 536-1440 for today's options.

Is reselling liquidation pallets worth it in 2026?

It can be, if you buy at the right cost per unit and already know where you will sell. Major retailers keep generating excess inventory, and demand for discounted brand-name products remains strong. Start small, track your numbers, then scale.

Ready to run the numbers on a real pallet? Browse our wholesale pallet inventory, try a box lot to test the waters, or schedule a video call to see today's inventory. Call (910) 536-1440 Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM EST.

Also explore: Makeup Pallets · General Merchandise · Box Lots · All Pallets · Wholesale Lots

Discount Wholesalers Inc. — Operating since 1999 · 107 Back Swamp Rd, Lumberton, NC 28360 · (910) 536-1440 · Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM EST