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Minnesota: plastic merchandise pallet law

A 'merchandise pallet' is a plastic carrier or container from 36 to 54 inches with a forklift entry, used by a manufacturer or distributor, with a permanently affixed notice naming the owner, stating that unauthorized possession violates state law, and giving a phone number or address.

Minn. Stat. § 325F.795. In force since Invalid Date. Last reviewed October 27, 2026 by repallet.org editors. Not legal advice.

What the law says

  • A 'merchandise pallet' is a plastic carrier or container from 36 to 54 inches with a forklift entry, used by a manufacturer or distributor, with a permanently affixed notice naming the owner, stating that unauthorized possession violates state law, and giving a phone number or address. Minn. Stat. § 325F.795, subd. 1 (source)
  • Someone who has the pallet temporarily because they bought the goods it carried is not an 'unauthorized person'. Minn. Stat. § 325F.795, subd. 1 (source)
  • An unauthorized person holding such a pallet, or anyone who maliciously removes or defaces the owner's name, is liable to the injured party. Minn. Stat. § 325F.795, subd. 2 (source)
  • The injured owner may recover three times the cost of the pallet, plus costs, disbursements and reasonable attorney fees. Minn. Stat. § 325F.795, subd. 4 (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. Minn. Stat. § 325F.795 (unauthorized possession of merchandise pallets) Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Accessed October 27, 2026.

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