repallet.org

California: marked (pooled or branded) pallet law

A 'merchandise pallet' is a wooden or plastic carrier used for bulk transport of merchandise to wholesale or retail outlets and marked with an indicia of ownership: words, symbols or registered trademarks on its exterior that reasonably identify the owner.

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 22750, 22753, 21609.7. In force since January 1, 2013. Last reviewed October 27, 2026 by repallet.org editors. Not legal advice.

What the law says

  • A 'merchandise pallet' is a wooden or plastic carrier used for bulk transport of merchandise to wholesale or retail outlets and marked with an indicia of ownership: words, symbols or registered trademarks on its exterior that reasonably identify the owner. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22750(b) (source)
  • Possession of a merchandise pallet by an unauthorized person, and obliterating the indicia of ownership except by the owner, are punishable under Penal Code § 489(b) or § 490. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22753 (source)
  • A junk dealer or recycler may not buy marked bulk merchandise pallets from anyone other than the indicated owner, unless the seller provides a receipt from the owner or a document showing the owner authorized the sale; copies go in the transaction record. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21609.7(a)–(b) (source)
  • For a single purchase of five or more marked pallets from a non-owner, payment must be by check mailed to the address on the seller's photo ID, or collected by the seller on or after the third business day. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21609.7(c) (source)
  • A dealer may take good-faith possession of marked pallets the owner has not retrieved, must notify a locatable owner, and after 35 calendar days from that notice the owner is deemed to have relinquished them. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21609.7(d) (source)

What to do

Return marked pallets to their owner instead of selling, scrapping or burning them. See pooled pallets for each owner's return route.

Sources

  1. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22750 (definitions: merchandise pallet, indicia of ownership) California Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026. Text read through the california.public.law mirror, which reports it verified against leginfo on Oct. 26, 2026.
  2. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22753 (unauthorized possession; obliteration of marks) California Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026. Read through the california.public.law mirror.
  3. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21609.7 (junk dealers and recyclers: marked bulk merchandise pallets) California Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026. Read through the california.public.law mirror.

Related