Liquidation Pallet Shipping Costs: What Freight Really Costs (2026)

The price of a liquidation pallet is only part of what you pay. Freight can add hundreds of dollars, and for a single pallet it can come close to the price of the merchandise itself. This guide shows what shipping really costs, with freight charges from recent orders at Discount Wholesalers Inc, what drives the price, and how to pay less per pallet.

Quick answer: how much does it cost to ship a pallet?

• Wholesale boxes and lots ship by parcel carrier. In recent orders most cost between about $20 and $100, and heavier multi-lot orders went up to about $210.
• One pallet ships by LTL freight (less-than-truckload) and often costs $400 or more, depending on distance.
• Two or more pallets in one shipment cost much less per pallet: in recent orders, about $180 to $330 per pallet.
• Full truckloads ship by FTL (full truckload) and are quoted per load.
• Pickup at our warehouse in Lumberton, NC costs nothing in freight.

Real freight charges from recent orders

These are freight charges from orders placed at Discount Wholesalers Inc in early November 2026. They are examples, not quotes: your price depends on your address and the shipment.

• To Texas: 1 clothing pallet plus 2 small lots by LTL freight — $496.88
• To Illinois: 2 pallets (a clothing pallet and a gaylord) — $595.67 total, about $298 per pallet
• To New York: 2 clothing pallets — $571.07 total, about $286 per pallet
• To Maine: 2 pallets (clothing and toys) — $654.78 total, about $327 per pallet
• To South Carolina (close to our warehouse): a toy pallet and a gaylord — $365.54 total, about $183 per pallet
• Single wholesale lots by parcel: most between $20 and $100

The pattern is clear: one pallet alone is the most expensive way to ship, and every extra pallet in the same shipment lowers the cost per pallet.

What drives the cost of pallet freight

• Distance from Lumberton, NC to your address.
• Weight and size. A tall, heavy pallet costs more than a half-height gaylord.
• Freight class, which carriers set by the type and density of the merchandise.
• Delivery conditions. Carriers often charge extra for residential addresses, a liftgate (when there is no loading dock or forklift), appointments or hard-to-reach locations.
• Fuel surcharges, which change with fuel prices.

6 ways to pay less per pallet

1. Pick it up. If you are within driving distance of Lumberton, NC, pickup costs nothing in freight. Arrive before 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday, and we load it with a forklift the same day.
2. Combine pallets. Two or three pallets in one shipment cost much less per pallet than buying them one at a time.
3. Ship to a business address with a dock or forklift. It avoids liftgate and residential charges.
4. Add lots to a pallet order. Wholesale lots can ride on the same freight shipment instead of a separate parcel.
5. Move up to a full truckload if you sell volume: 24 to 26 pallets in one FTL shipment give the lowest freight cost per pallet. See full truckloads.
6. Ask for a quote before you buy when you plan several pallets, so you know your real delivered cost.

Freight and your cost per piece

To know if a pallet is a good buy, add freight to the price and divide by the piece count. A pallet that looks cheaper online can cost more delivered than a better pallet you pick up or combine with others. Every listing at Discount Wholesalers Inc shows the piece count, so you can run the numbers before you buy. Browse liquidation pallets or wholesale boxes and lots.

Planning around your sales calendar helps too. For example, bin stores that stock up for tax refund season buy in January to leave time for freight and sorting: see our tax refund season stocking guide.

Shipping outside the United States

For export, loads are sold FOB North Carolina: your freight forwarder handles ocean freight and customs, and our team can help you contact a forwarder that exports from the U.S. See export and container loads.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to ship one pallet?

It depends on distance, weight and delivery conditions, but a single pallet by LTL freight often costs $400 or more. In a recent order, one clothing pallet plus two small lots to Texas cost $496.88 in freight.

Is it cheaper to ship two pallets than one?

Per pallet, yes. In recent orders, two pallets in one shipment cost about $180 to $330 per pallet, depending on the destination, compared with $400 or more for a single pallet.

Can I pick up my pallets?

Yes. Pick up at 107 Back Swamp Rd, Lumberton, NC 28360, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM EST. Arrive before 3:30 PM and we load your pallets with a forklift the same day.

Do I need a loading dock to receive a pallet?

Not always, but without a dock or forklift the carrier usually needs a liftgate, which often adds a fee. Tell your sales rep how you will receive the pallet so the quote includes it.

How do I get a freight quote?

Call (910) 536-1440 or book a video call and tell the sales rep which pallets you want and your delivery address.

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