Skid

A skid is a flat platform similar to a pallet but without the bottom deck — only the top surface and the support runners. It cannot be lifted by a pallet jack as cleanly as a pallet but is lighter and cheaper.

Construction: top deck only, supported by runners (the longitudinal beams). No bottom deck. The runners rest directly on the floor, which works for forklift loading but makes pallet-jack movement difficult because the wheels need to pass underneath.

Skids are cheaper than pallets and often single-use. Common in heavy machinery shipments, building materials, and bulk industrial products.

The terms 'skid' and 'pallet' are often used interchangeably colloquially, especially in less precise written documentation. Strictly, a skid lacks the bottom deck.

Related terms

PalletA pallet is a flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while they are lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, or stacker. The two most common standards are the 48×40 inch GMA pallet (North America) and the 1200×800 mm EUR-pallet (Europe).

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