GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Pallet return service

Once goods are unloaded at the consignee's premises, a pallet return service takes over: it arranges the backhaul of empty or used pallets to the shipper, central warehouse, or pooling hub.

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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.logistik-lexikon.de/palettenrueckfuehrung

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

Once goods are unloaded at the consignee's premises, a pallet return service takes over: it arranges the backhaul of empty or used pallets to the shipper, central warehouse, or pooling hub. The service is typically provided by pallet pooling operators, contract logistics companies, and freight carriers, who schedule collections and fold them into existing route planning. On arrival, pallets are inspected, repaired as needed, and reintroduced into circulation. Shippers avoid the burden of organising their own return logistics while maintaining a steady supply of returnable pallets. Not to be confused with a pallet return system, which refers to the broader technical and organisational infrastructure underpinning these operations.

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Pallet return service

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