Selling used pallet racking: what to measure and what disqualifies it

Used pallet racking is quoted by component: uprights (height and depth), beams (length and profile), wire decking and the style of connection, with counts for each. Damaged uprights or beams should not be reused. Say whether the racking is standing or already down, because dismantling is part of the deal.

What should you measure?

• Style: how beams connect to uprights (teardrop is the most common style in North America; there are others).
• Uprights (frames): height and depth, and how many.
• Beams: length, face height, and how many pairs.
• Wire decking: size and count.
• Brand, if marked on the frames.

A photo of one bay, one upright label and one beam connector usually answers the rest.

What disqualifies racking from reuse?

Dented, twisted or torn uprights and bent beams. Racking holds a lot of weight overhead, and damaged components are not reused for storage. They go to scrap steel. Industry standards (the Rack Manufacturers Institute’s ANSI MH16.1 specification) also expect load capacity information to be posted on racking, so keep load plaques with the system if you have them.

Standing or already down?

Dismantling racking takes a crew, a lift and time, and the floor anchors have to be dealt with. In a lease-end or closure, check your lease first: some require removal, some leave racking to the landlord. State in the lot whether it is standing, partly down, or already dismantled and bundled.

How do you list it in a lot?

Use the equipment line. Put the component counts in quantity and the sizes in the size field, one line per component type. For example: "Uprights, 16 ft x 42 in, teardrop" with its count, then "Beams, 8 ft" with its count. Add photos to your notes when the quote comes back with questions.

Sources

• Rack Manufacturers Institute: ANSI MH16.1 specification