Exception Request

The Home Depot is dedicated to providing a safe environment for our customers and our employees at all our stores as well as distribution facilities. As part of our effort to continuously improve safety conditions, we have redesigned our pallet specifications. The new pallet standard at Home Depot leverages a single standard in both pallet size and construction for both Domestic and Import shipments. We are asking our suppliers to review their current shipping platforms and convert to the standard pallet requirements for your products. If, however, you are unable to use our standard platform, please review our exception process and submit the necessary documents.

Home Depot Supply Chain Council must approve all exceptions to the requirements outlined in Shipment Platform standards. To be considered for use of an alternative platform, the supplier is required to perform the following:

Home Depot Supply Chain Council must approve all exceptions to the requirements outlined in Shipment Platform standards. To be considered for use of an alternative platform, the supplier is required to perform the following:
1) Complete the Shipping Platform Exception form
2) All requests must include documentation that the requested platform meets the 3500 lb. load capacity and performance requirements as verified by one of the following test methods:
A. ASTM D-1185 “Standard Test Methods for Pallets and Related Structures Employed in Material Handling and Shipping”
B. Pallet analysis using latest version of The Pallet Design System
3) If you have any questions, contact HD at Supplier_Performance@homedepot.com

You will receive written confirmation as to whether or not your request was approved. Please maintain a copy of this response so that it can be made available upon request.

NOTES:
1. Submission of a request for exception does not imply that exception is granted. You are still fully responsible for compliance to defined standards pending decision on your exception request.
2. We will not consider any exception request that does not meet minimum requirements as to Pallet Construction, Quality and Total Pallet Weight (3500 lbs).

Please click here to complete the Exception form.