Home Depot Packaging Guidelines

Discover Home Depot packaging guidelines FAQs on pallet stacking, PO/SKU mixing, carton dimensions & labeling requirements for compliant shipping.

Can pallets be stacked?

Yes, pallets can be double stacked, provided they are shrink-wrapped or banded together and are less than 12 pallet spaces. Double-stacked pallets should have the UCC/EAN-128 label on the outside of the pallet load and shrink wrap.

Can purchase orders be mixed within a single carton?

Purchase orders cannot be mixed within a single RDC pallet according to section 3.2.1 Multi PO pallets.

Can purchase orders be mixed within a single pallet?

Only one PO can exist on a single RDC pallet. Mixing of RDCXD POs and RDC Aggregate POs together on a RDC pallet is not allowed.

Can SKUs be mixed on a single pallet?

No, SKUs cannot be mixed on a single pallet. Only master packs containing one SKU are accepted.

Can SKUs be mixed within a single carton?

Multi SKU cartons are not acceptable packaging. Only master packs containing one SKU will be accepted.

What are the allowed pallet types for shipping?

Pallets must be of all wood construction. All wood species are acceptable for use, except those in classes 7 and 14 in the Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets.

What are the max and min dimensions for shipping cartons?

Maximum outside dimensions for conveyable master cartons are 30 inches in length, 35 inches in width, and 75 inches in height. Minimum outside dimensions that are too small to convey are not specified in inches, but the document lists dimensions starting from a length, width, and height of 1 inch with an unspecified maximum until they reach 30 inches in length. Minimum weight considered too small is below 4 lbs.

What are the max and min weights for shipping cartons?

The maximum weight for shipping cartons is 180 lbs for doublewall and 300 lbs for triplewall corrugated fibreboard boxes. The minimum weight for shipping cartons is not specified for singlewall boxes, but the lowest given starts at 20 lbs for both singlewall and solid fibreboard boxes.

What are the requirements for carton or pallet labels and their placement?

- Every carton requires a UPC barcode on one of the four sides, perpendicular to the top and bottom.
- Carton labels must be placed on the long side, not top or bottom, arranged fence style, and unobstructed.
- The UCC 128 label on pallets should be midway up the load on the outside of shrink-wrap, facing the rear of the trailer.
- Double-stacked pallets should also have the label on the outside of the load and shrink-wrap.
- The SSCC-18 barcode should be a minimum element width of 20 mils with a print quality of at least ANSI Grade "C".

What are the requirements for inner packs and cases?

All shipping containers, including master cartons and inner packs, containing fixed multiples of the same item must have an Interleaved 2 of 5 or ITF14 label. Only master packs containing one SKU will be accepted.

What are the requirements for placing labels on cartons being shipped?

Labels on cartons require a UPC barcode on one of the carton’s four sides, not on the bottom, placed picket fence style (perpendicular to the top and bottom of the carton). The GS1-128 label should be placed on the long side of the box, not top or bottom, organized fence style and unobstructed by packing tape, shrink-wrap or any other label. The SSCC-18 barcode should have a minimum element width of 20mils and a minimum print quality of ANSI Standard Grade "C," with a white label and black ink, and should not wrap around a corner or across a box opening.

What is the max pallet height allowed when shipping?

There is no specific maximum pallet height mentioned, but when the total PO/shipment space exceeds 96" in height (including the pallet height), a surcharge applies.