T-Hole Shelving (Keyhole Upright Shelving)
T-hole shelving uses uprights punched with keyhole-shaped slots. Shelf brackets clip straight into the holes and lock under load, so the unit goes up without nuts, bolts or clips. The result is a clean, snag-free face with no protruding fixings — which is why it is the standard choice for retail backrooms, shop floors and stock rooms where customers can see the shelving.
Key Features
- Keyhole-slot uprights — brackets clip in and lock under load
- No nuts, bolts or loose clips to lose during assembly
- Flush face with no protruding fixings — clean retail finish
- Shelf height adjustable in keyhole steps
- Light duty frame ideal for backrooms, stock rooms and shop floors
- Powder coated Q235 steel in any RAL colour
- Ships knocked down for low freight cost
Specifications
- Material: Q235 structural steel, powder coated
- Load per shelf: 150–300 kg (330–660 lb)
- Frame height: 1,500–2,400 mm (59–94 in)
- Deck options: steel panel / particle board / MDF / wire mesh
- Finish: electrostatic powder coating, 60–80 μm, any RAL colour
- Assembly: tool-free clip-in brackets
- MOQ: 1,000 sets, trial orders from 500 sets (one set = one complete bay; mixed sizes accepted)
Load ratings are per shelf level, tested with uniformly distributed loads on flat, properly anchored shelves. Multiply by the number of shelves for total bay capacity.
Applications
- Retail stock rooms and supermarket backrooms
- Shop floors and customer-facing display storage
- Archive rooms and document storage
- Workshops, garages and light commercial stores
- Pharmacy and convenience store stock areas
T-Hole Shelving vs Rivet Shelving
Both assemble without bolts, but they suit different jobs. T-hole shelving uses clip-in brackets and carries 150–300 kg (330–660 lb) per shelf — the right range for retail backrooms and light stock. Rivet shelving uses beams that slot into the uprights and carries 300–800 kg (660–1,760 lb) per shelf, so it is the better choice for workshops, archives and e-commerce fulfilment. If your loads exceed 1,000 kg per level, move up to heavy duty pallet rack.
Built for backrooms, shop floors and archives
The keyhole upright gives T-hole shelving its two advantages. Brackets clip in and lock under load without a single fixing, and the finished face is flush — nothing protrudes to snag stock or catch a sleeve. That is why the system turns up in retail backrooms, customer-facing shop floors and archive rooms rather than in heavy industrial bays. Uprights are roll-formed from Q235 steel, powder coated at 60–80 μm, and shipped knocked down.
Packing and container loading
Units ship knocked down. Uprights, brackets and shelf panels are bundled and flat-packed, so a 40 ft container carries far more bays than it would with assembled units — which is where most of the freight saving comes from. Before dispatch we photograph the loaded container and send the loading record, so what leaves our floor is what you can check against your own receiving documents.
- Uprights, brackets and panels bundled separately and labelled per bay
- Flat-packed to maximise container fill and cut freight cost per unit
- Container loading photos and inspection record sent before the ship sails
- Mixed sizes consolidated into one shipment against a combined MOQ
Frequently asked questions
What does the 150–300 kg per shelf range suit?
It suits retail backrooms, stock rooms, archives and light commercial stores — the loads a shop or office accumulates rather than the loads a factory handles. Each level is rated as a uniformly distributed load with the bay level and anchored, and levels are rated independently.
Which sizes and heights can I order?
Frame heights run 1,500–2,400 mm (59–94 in), with deck options of steel panel, particle board, MDF or wire mesh. Custom widths, depths and hole patterns are made to order — send the dimensions you need.
Is it suitable for customer-facing areas?
Yes — that is what the flush face is for. With no protruding fixings, the unit reads as fittings rather than storage, and the powder coat is available in any RAL colour to match the rest of the shop.
How long does delivery take?
Lead time is quoted alongside price, not after it. We load containers at Qingdao Port under FOB, CIF or DDP, and you get the packing list, loading photos and inspection record before the vessel sails. If your deadline is tight, tell us the date and we will say straight away whether we can make it.
What is the minimum order quantity, and can I mix sizes?
1,000 sets per order (one set = one complete bay), trial orders from 500 sets on request, and mixed sizes count towards the same total. That lets you test several configurations in one shipment instead of committing the whole order to a single size.
Can you make custom sizes and colours?
Yes — custom heights, widths, depths and hole patterns, plus any RAL colour. Send us a drawing, a photo or a sample and we will come back with what is achievable and what it does to lead time and price, before you place the order. OEM and ODM including logos and retail packaging are routine for us.
Can I get a sample before placing a full order?
Yes. Samples are supplied against a small deposit, and that deposit is refundable against your first production order.
What warranty do you offer?
Warranty runs from the bill of lading date and is tiered at 1, 2 or 3 years depending on the product line. It covers manufacturing defects only; overload, misuse, and damage caused by the site or floor are excluded.
Can I arrange a third-party inspection?
Yes, and we welcome it. Inspection can be arranged at the factory before dispatch or at the port; the inspection fee is payable by the buyer.
What do you send me before the goods ship?
We send the inspection record and container loading photos proactively. Mill certificates, dimensional reports, coating thickness readings and load test reports are available on request.
What happens if the goods arrive damaged?
Send us photos or the inspection report and you will have a written resolution proposal within 48 hours of us receiving them.
Related guides
- How to Choose Warehouse Shelving — load per shelf, bay sizing, decking and container planning.
- Boltless vs Bolt-Together Shelving — assembly time, stiffness and when each system wins.
- Shelf Load Ratings Explained — UDL versus point load, and the eight numbers to ask for.
- Importing Steel Shelving from China — an eleven-point buyer’s checklist.
Other products: Heavy Duty Shelving · Tire Rack · Rivet Shelving · Grooved Shelving · Full Steel Shelving · Slotted Angle Shelving