Who owns a pallet? Marks, pools and the law
A plain whitewood pallet that came with goods you bought is usually yours. A pallet painted and marked by a pooler, or branded with a company name, usually isn't: the pooler or company keeps ownership. Several states make holding or buying marked pallets without authority an offence, or require recyclers to keep records.
Reading the marks
- Paint colour plus a pooler's name: rented, owner keeps title (pooled pallets).
- A company name or 'property of' notice: the named company asserts ownership.
- An ISPM 15 stamp: a phytosanitary treatment mark, not an ownership mark.
What the states say
California treats unauthorised possession of a marked merchandise pallet as punishable (§ 22753); Florida's registered-mark law makes it a misdemeanor (§ 506.24). Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin regulate plastic or bulk container purchases. All are in the comparison table.
Not legal advice
This is general information. For a dispute over specific pallets, ask a lawyer in your state.
If you aren't sure
When you can't tell whose a pallet is, set it aside instead of selling or scrapping it, and ask the shipper that delivered it. That one question settles most cases.
Sources
- Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22753 (unauthorized possession; obliteration of marks) California Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026. Read through the california.public.law mirror.
- Fla. Stat. ch. 506 (§§ 506.19–506.28: marked field boxes, pallets and containers) Florida Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026.