Palletisation & Pallet Types
Palletisation is the practice of stacking cartons onto a pallet so they can be moved as a single unit by forklift, and it affects both your freight cost and your loading plan.
Definition
A pallet turns dozens of loose cartons into one handling unit, which speeds up loading, reduces damage and lets freight be priced per pallet rather than per carton.
Pallet standards vary by region. The Euro pallet measures 1200 × 800 mm, the ISO standard pallet 1200 × 1000 mm, and the US GMA pallet 1219 × 1016 mm. Mixing standards on one lane wastes container floor space.
Example
Cartons of 40 × 30 cm fit eight per layer on a Euro pallet. With 300 mm cartons and a 180 cm height limit, five layers give 40 cartons per pallet.
When you will come across it
- Booking LCL or FCL where the rate is quoted per pallet position
- Planning how many cartons fit into a container and how high you can stack
- Checking whether your pallet height exceeds a consolidator's limit, often around 180 cm
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard Euro pallet size?
1200 × 800 mm. The ISO standard pallet is 1200 × 1000 mm and the US GMA pallet is 1219 × 1016 mm.
How many Euro pallets fit in a 20ft container?
Typically 10 to 11 in a single tier, and around 23 to 24 in a 40ft container. The exact number depends on pallet height and whether double stacking is allowed.
Why does pallet height matter for LCL?
Because your pallet shares a container with other shippers. Very tall pallets are hard to load and may be rejected by the consolidator, which is why many set a limit around 180 cm.