Skid vs pallet

A pallet has top and bottom decks sandwiching stringers or blocks, so forks can enter from four sides and the unit will sit on rack beams. A skid is often just a top deck on runners — two-way entry, no bottom boards, cheaper, and unwelcome in many DCs. If a routing guide says pallet, do not substitute a skid.

PalletSkid
Bottom deckYesUsually no
Entry4-way typical (GMA/block)2-way typical
RackingSits on beamsRunners can fall through
Retail DCsSpecifiedOften rejected