Common Euro Plastic Pallet and ISO Plastic Pallet Sizes
08 Jan 2020
Choosing the correct type and size of plastic pallet is vital for any business to optimise both storage space and minimise shipping costs. This also ensures that goods are handled safely and efficiently during each transportation phase.
The majority of freight and courier companies worldwide operate from a pooled pallet system that depends on standardised pallet dimensions.
European Standards
The dimensions of European pallets, called EURO pallets, differ from the ISO standards. These dimensions are in width (mm) by length (mm).
- EUR, EUR1: 800 x 1200 (same size as ISO 1 above)
- EUR2: 1200 x 1000 (same as ISO2)
- EUR3: 1000 x 1200
- EUR6: 800 x 600, ISO), half the size of EUR
- 600 x 400, one quarter the size of EUR
- 400 x 300, one eight the size of EUR
- Standards Normalisation in Europe
European pallets standards date from 1989 and the creation of the Comite European de Normalisation (CEN) (European Normalisation Committee), which includes the European Union member states together with Switzerland and Norway. Although the British Standards Institution (BSI) produces all standards in Britain, as do its counterparts in other CEN member states, the BSI is subject to the CEN. All of the European standards institutes must withdraw their national standards as soon as a CEN standard is published. EURO pallets are a popular type of pallet for companies that tend to transport, ship, or store goods throughout both the UK and the rest of Europe due to the fact that products won’t need to be transferred from one type of standard pallet to another upon arrival within either area.
International Pallet Standards
Details of plastic pallet sizes sanctioned by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) are included in ISO Standard 6780 and consist of six dimensions for pallets used for intercontinental handling of materials. These are in width by length in millimetres and percentage of wasted floor space.
- 800 x 1200, 15.2 per cent: ISO1, for Europe, a size that fits the majority of doorways
- 1000 x 1200, 6.7 per cent: ISO2, for Europe and Asia
- 1067 x 1067, 11.5 per cent: for Europe, North America and Asia
- 1219 x 1016, 3.7 per cent: for North America
- 1165 x 1165, 8.1 per cent: for Australia
- 1100 x 1100, 14 per cent: for Asia
Shipping Rates for Non-ISO Standards
The European Pallet Association (EPAL), acting as an agency to the CEN, must approve all details, however small, of pallet construction. It stipulates the types of nails and timber to be used. The standardisation enables the majority of freighters and shippers to use pallet pools. This rigid standardisation means that pallets pools may be used throughout the European Union and other European countries that have agreed to the standards. It keeps shipping costs low both nationally and internationally.
The problem with this system is that for shipping outside of Europe all goods have to be transported in slightly larger containers to fit in with other ISO standards. Shipping companies will usually add a surcharge for these extra dimensions.
So a full-sized EURO pallet that is larger than the ISO standard will be charged at one and a half times the ISO pallets’ rate. If a EURO half pallet exceeds the ISO standards, this is charged at an additional half-pallet rate. If the EURO pallet exceeds the ISO standards in two dimensions, this is classified as an “out of gauge” load that commands a special rate from shippers.
Why Choose Plastic Pallets
Choose Plastic Pallets for all your pallet needs! We can provide you with every type of pallet, from Euro pallets to standard and non standard sizes. Additionally, we sell all sorts of pallet accessories to help keep your products and plastic pallets safe during transport, shipping, and storage. If you’re in need of a cost effective solution, we also have a fantastic range of used plastic pallets, which are all refurbished to meet our high safety standards.
If you have any unwanted plastic pallets, use our recycling and collection service! We can collect pallets from all across the UK, and depending on the type and number of pallets you have to offer, we may even pay you for them. All our collected pallets are recycled or refurbished depending on their quality to ensure they meet our high standards before they are put back into circulation.
Euro Plastic Pallet Prices
Use our handy checkout system to buy all your new and used plastic pallets today! For more bespoke orders, use our free quoting engine to get a price in just a few clicks. Call us now at 03301757766 or fill out our online contact form if you have any questions or concerns, and a friendly member of our team will be happy to help. Let us collect your unwanted pallets and use our comprehensive collection and recycling service.