Pallet Types and Dimensions
Standard dimensions
| Pallet | Dimensions (mm) | Region of use / note |
|---|---|---|
| EUR / EPAL 1 | 1.200 × 800 | The most common pallet in Europe; EPAL-licensed, subject to the exchange system |
| EUR 2 | 1.200 × 1.000 | Heavy and bulky loads; 3 bottom runners |
| EUR 3 | 1.000 × 1.200 | Same dimensions as EUR 2, with runners in the other direction; forklift entry from the 1.000 mm side |
| EUR 6 (half pallet) | 800 × 600 | Retail, display, light loads |
| ISO / industrial pallet | 1.200 × 1.000 | Common in Europe and Asia; known as the "industrial pallet" |
| US / GMA | 1.219 × 1.016 (48 × 40 in) | North American standard |
| Asian pallet | 1.100 × 1.100 | Japan, Korea, Asian countries |
| Australian pallet | 1.165 × 1.165 | Australia; suited to Australian railway wagons |
The ISO 6780 standard defines six internationally recognized pallet sizes (1.200×800, 1.200×1.000, 1.219×1.016, 1.140×1.140, 1.100×1.100, 1.067×1.067).
Materials
- Wood: The most common, inexpensive and repairable; ISPM 15 heat treatment is mandatory for international shipments.
- Plastic: Hygienic, washable, does not absorb moisture; preferred for food and pharmaceuticals. Exempt from ISPM 15. More expensive.
- Metal (steel/aluminum): Very heavy loads, closed-loop (returnable) use; heavy and expensive.
- Presswood (molded): Hot-pressed from wood shavings and resin; lightweight, nestable, exempt from ISPM 15. An economical alternative for one-way exports.
- Cardboard (kraft) pallet: For very light loads and air cargo; exempt from ISPM 15.
ISPM 15 and the IPPC mark
- ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is the standard published by the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) under the FAO, governing the treatment of wood packaging material used in international trade to eliminate pests.
- Main approved treatments: HT (Heat Treatment): at least 56 °C throughout the entire cross-section of the wood for at least 30 minutes; DH (dielectric heating); MB (methyl bromide fumigation) – restricted/banned in many countries for environmental reasons.
- Treated wood packaging must bear the IPPC mark: IPPC logo + country code (TR for Türkiye) + registration number of the producer/treatment provider + treatment code (HT, MB, etc.).
- In Türkiye, ISPM 15 marking authorization is granted to companies registered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Unmarked wooden pallets may be rejected or destroyed in the destination country, or may incur fumigation costs.
Typical load capacities (EPAL 1 example)
- Dynamic (while being moved by forklift), evenly distributed load: ~1.000–1.500 kg
- Static on a flat floor, evenly distributed: ~2.000 kg
- Static, as the bottom pallet in a stack (compact load): up to ~4.000 kg
- Values vary with pallet quality, load distribution and racking type; manufacturer/EPAL values should be used.
Number of pallets per transport unit (single tier, approx.)
| Transport unit | EUR 1 (1.200×800) | Industrial (1.200×1.000) | US 48×40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' container | 11 | 9–10 | 10 |
| 40' / 40' HC container | 23–25 | 20–21 | 20–21 |
| 45' HC (standard width) | ~27 | ~24 | ~24 |
| 45' Pallet-wide HC | 33 | 26 | – |
| Standard truck (13,6 m) | 33 | 26 | ~26 |
Note: Because the internal width of a container (2.350 mm) does not perfectly fit an efficient Euro pallet layout, gaps occur; the cargo must be secured (airbags, chocks). For stackable cargo, the number of pallets can double, but the weight limit may be reached first.
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Sources
- ICC – Incoterms® 2020: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/
- ICC – Incoterms rules history and overview: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/
- ICC – UCP 600 / Documentary credits: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/trade-finance/
- Hapag-Lloyd – Container Specification (PDF): https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/content/dam/website/downloads/press_and_media/publications/15211_Container_Specification_engl_Gesamt_web.pdf
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Standard High Cube: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-standard-high-cube.html
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Standard: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-standard.html
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Flatrack: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-flatrack-high-cube.html
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Open Top: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-open-top-high-cube.html
- ISO 668 – Series 1 freight containers: https://www.iso.org/standard/76912.html
- IMO – SOLAS Verified Gross Mass: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/Verification-of-the-gross-mass.aspx
- IATA – Air Cargo / e-AWB / ULD: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/
- IATA – Dangerous Goods Regulations: https://www.iata.org/en/publications/dgr/
- IPPC – ISPM 15: https://www.ippc.int/en/publications/640/
- EPAL – Euro pallet specifications: https://www.epal-pallets.org/
- EU Directive 96/53/EC (vehicle weights and dimensions): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:31996L0053
- UNECE – CMR Convention: https://unece.org/transport/road-transport
- IRU – TIR system: https://www.iru.org/what-we-do/facilitating-trade-and-transit/tir
- TOBB – TIR and ATA carnets: https://www.tobb.org.tr/
- Kuehne+Nagel – Incoterms 2020 overview: https://www.kuehne-nagel.com/us/how-to/customs-clearance/incoterms
- Wikipedia – Incoterms (for general cross-checking): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incoterms