What is a EUR pallet?
The EUR pallet, or Euro pallet, is the most widely used pallet in Europe. The standard EPAL Euro pallet measures 1200 × 800 × 144 mm, weighs about 25 kg and is built from a defined number of wooden boards, blocks and nails. Because every certified pallet is the same, they can be swapped between companies in pallet exchange systems.
Most European trucks, racks, warehouses and fulfilment centres are designed around it, and storage is often priced per pallet place.
Core principle: Build your shipments on the pallet the European system is built for, and everything from loading to storage gets easier and cheaper.
EUR pallet at a glance
| Specification | EPAL Euro pallet |
|---|---|
| Size | 1200 × 800 mm |
| Height | 144 mm |
| Own weight | About 25 kg |
| Safe working load | Up to 1,500 kg evenly distributed |
| Per truck (13.6 m trailer) | 33 pallets in one layer |
Other pallets you will meet
Industrial pallet
1200 × 1000 mm, common in industry and in some Northern European countries.
Watch out for: It takes more space than a EUR pallet, so storage and transport may be charged at a higher rate.
Half pallet
800 × 600 mm, used for smaller loads and retail displays.
Asian and US pallets
Pallets from Asia and North America come in other sizes, such as 1100 × 1100 mm or 48 × 40 inches.
Watch out for: They may not fit European racking, and warehouses may need to re-palletise them for a fee.
Pallets for international shipments
Wooden pallets crossing borders, for example from China or the UK into the EU, must meet ISPM 15: they must be heat-treated or fumigated and carry the IPPC mark. Pallets without it can be refused at the border. Certified Euro pallets already carry the mark.
Tips for shipping on EUR pallets
- Don’t overhang: cartons sticking out over the edge get damaged and may not fit racking.
- Keep within the warehouse’s height limit, often around 1.8 m including the pallet, unless agreed otherwise.
- One SKU per pallet where possible, to speed up receiving.
- Wrap and label: stretch-wrap the load and label two sides with contents and quantity.
Example: A brand receives Chinese goods on 1100 × 1100 mm pallets. Its fulfilment centre in Germany re-stacks them onto EUR pallets so they fit the racking, and charges a re-palletising fee per pallet. For the next order, the brand asks its supplier to load on EUR pallets with the ISPM 15 mark.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a EUR pallet?
1200 × 800 × 144 mm.
How much can a EUR pallet carry?
EPAL rates the Euro pallet for up to 1,500 kg evenly distributed.
How many EUR pallets fit in a truck?
33 pallets in one layer in a standard 13.6 m trailer.
Do pallets need treatment for export?
Yes. Wooden pallets in international trade must comply with ISPM 15, usually through heat treatment and the IPPC mark.
