An Ultimate Guide to Plastic Pallet Standard Sizes (Updated 2017)

There are many types of plastic pallets that come in different designs, shapes and sizes.

Depending on the task at hand, you may choose 40″ x 48″, 48″ x 48″ or 39.37″ x 47.24″.

Furthermore, you may also choose from different designs such as double side, nine legs or picture frame.

Today, I want to take you through an important aspect of these accessories called the plastic pallet standard sizes.

As you’ll realize in this ultimate guide to plastic pallet sizes, the dimensions of these accessories vary depending on both application and geographical location.

This is why it is important that you get proper advice before buying plastic pallets for any application.

With this, you will get a pallet that will match your export or shipping needs.

Remember, at any given point, the idea is to guarantee flawless loading and offloading of products, while using the limited space available optimally.

But, before I explore this subject in detail, let’s look at this interesting aspect first – ISO plastic pallets.

What are the ISO Plastic Pallet Sizes?

To improve supply chain, the International Organization of Standardization did approve 6 dimensions for pallets.

I’ll list these dimensions shortly.

However, this does not imply that these are the only plastic pallet sizes available.

No, that’s not true.

For a fact, there are thousands of plastic pallets standard sizes depending on the geographical location and the specific applications.

So, what can you learn up to this point?

Well, before you order for a plastic pallet, it is important to specify:

• Specify geographical location
• Specific application
• Exact size where possible

Now, let’s review the ISO plastic pallet dimensions and where they are commonly used.

Can you see what I had mentioned earlier?

It is quite evident that you need to choose an ISO pallet depending on the geographical location where it will be used.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the amount of space that may be wasted.

Therefore, if you use inappropriate pallets, it implies that you’ll have to transfer products to the locally available pallets.

This will be expensive and may cause delays in product delivery.

Apart from these, there are plastic pallet standard sizes that are designed for specific applications and regions.

In the next section of this guide, I will focus on plastic pallet sizes in these regions:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia
• Australia

I’ll use a simple approach that will make you understand or identify a pallet size that fits your application requirements and region.

· Plastic Pallet Standard Sizes in North America

North America has the highest number of plastic pallet sizes designed for various applications.

However, the 40” x 48” still remains the most common type of plastic pallet standard size.

There are 12 different pallet sizes.

This is why you need to understand your market/industry before buying plastic pallets for use in North America.

Let’s review the North America pallet sizes in the table below:

You should order for the plastic pallets depending on your industry. Here is an example of a North American plastic pallet size:

· European Standard Plastic Pallets

I am sure if you have been in the supply chain industry, you must have come across EUR Pallet, EPAL Pallet or Europallet.

These are pallets that are commonly used within the European market.

Again, the 800 mm x 1200 mm is the most common pallet. Remember, this is also an approved ISO pallet size.

In case you’re planning to do any form of supply chain within the European market, then it’s time to consider the following sizes:

In short, these are the possible options you have in any supply chain management within the European markets. Here is an example of the EPAL pallet:

This is a Euro Pallet

· Plastic Pallet Standard Sizes in Asia

Asia is one region that has integrated the ISO and European pallet standards. They mainly used two sizes of plastic pallets, which include:

· Australian Plastic Pallet Standard Size

Quite a number of supply chain operations in Australia use the 1165mm by 1165mm (45.87” by 45.87”).

This is also an ISO plastic pallet.

Conclusion

As you can see, every region tries to integrate the ISO plastic pallet sizes in their supply chain management process.

This reduces the incompatibility issues and the need to transfer products to other pallets that is quite expensive.

From above, it is only North America that has many pallet sizes and this can make supplying these accessories to this region somehow difficult if you’re a newbie in the business.

For more information on plastic pallets or inquiries, you can contact us today.

Further Reading

• ASTM D1185 (Standard Test Methods for Pallets and Related Structures)
• ISO Pallets
• ISO/TC 51 (Pallets for Unit Load Method of Materials Handling)