A pallet structure that resists damage sustained by prior art pallets in pooled pallet distribution is disclosed. The pallet comprises a deck and a base separated by opposed block structures spaced to accommodate fork tines, pallet jacks and other pallet moving equipment. The block structures are inset from the boundary established by the outer dimensions of the pallet. Impact guards are provided to protect the block structures against impacts that could pierce the walls of the block structures allowing foreign materials to enter an interior space of the deck, base or block structure. The impact guards surround the block structures preventing impacts from all sides. The exterior surfaces of the impact guards, at the four pallet corners, form a continuous vertical wall which extends from the top of the deck to bottom of the base. Other new and useful improvements and advancements are described.