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About Pallets
There are currently two types of pallets that are widely used: ‘EUR Pallets,’ also known as ‘Euro-Pallets,’ and ‘Standard Pallets.’. Euro pallets are usually the most widely used pallets, and it is estimated that 450-500 million are in circulation across the globe.
Both Euro and standard pallets are 1200mm in length; however, a Euro pallet is 800mm in width in comparison to a standard pallet, which is 1000mm wide. You can find a helpful guide to the main differences between these two palettes.
Epal Euro Pallet Specifications
Length: 800 mm, Width: 1,200 mm, Height: 144 mm, Weight: approx. 25 kg, Safe working load: 1,500 kg, Maximum additional load: 4,000 kg when stacking
ISO pallets
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sanctions six pallet dimensions, detailed in ISO Standard 6780:2003 Flat pallets for intercontinental materials handling — Principal dimensions and tolerances, which was reviewed and confirmed in 2014:
ISO Pallets Benefits:
Global Standardization: ISO pallets come in six primary sizes, carefully chosen to fit different transportation methods, from ocean liners to cargo planes. These sizes range from 1016 x 1219 mm to 1165 x 1165 mm, providing options to suit varied cargo needs. This standardization aids in minimizing the complications that often arise when shipping internationally, allowing your goods to move more efficiently from point A to B.
Material Choices for Every Need: With options in wood, plastic, and metal, each material offers distinct advantages. Wood pallets are cost-efficient and eco-friendly, plastic pallets offer durability and ease of cleaning, and metal pallets are robust for heavier loads. Your shipment’s nature and the requirements of the pallet’s journey dictate the best material choice, giving you the flexibility to choose the best fit for your goods.
Weight Capacity to Handle Your Cargo: Depending on their size and construction, ISO pallets can typically handle loads between 1000 to 1500 kg. This range of capacity means they can support a wide spectrum of goods, from lightweight consumer products to hefty industrial components, making them adaptable for various sectors and shipping needs.
Complementing Regional Solutions: While ISO pallets are the gold standard for international shipping, regional pallets like Euro and North American ones are tailored to meet local market demands. These regional options work in concert with ISO pallets to ensure a cohesive logistics experience, whether you’re shipping within a continent or across oceans.
Understanding these pallets is key to mastering international logistics. They represent a reliable, efficient, and versatile solution for shipping goods across borders, helping your business maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Enhance your understanding by exploring our articles on the specifics of Euro pallets and an overview of North American pallets to fully equip yourself for all your shipping needs.
North American Pallet Dimensions
There are several standard pallet sizes around the world. However, in the U.S., only the North American pallet or GMA pallet sizes are allowed. The American pallet sizes typically can carry up to 4600 lbs, and they weigh 37 lbs apiece. The most common American pallet dimensions are 48” x 40”, 42” x 42”, and 48” x 48”.
Here is a table showing their dimensions in cm:
| Dimensions (W × L) mm | Dimensions (W × L) in | Production rank | Industries using |
| 1,016 × 1,219 | 40 × 48 | 1 | Grocery, many others |
| 1,067 ×1,067 | 42 × 42 | 2 | Telecommunications, paint |
| 1219 × 1219 | 48 × 48 | 3 | Drums |
| 1,219 × 1,016[further explanation needed] | 48 × 40 | 4 | Military,[5] cement |
| 1,219 × 1,067 | 48 × 42 | 5 | Chemical, beverage |
| 1,016 × 1,016 | 40 × 40 | 6 | Dairy |
| 1,219 × 1,143 | 48 × 45 | 7 | Automotive |
| 1,118 × 1,118 | 44 × 44 | 8 | Drums, chemical |
| 914 × 914 | 36 × 36 | 9 | Beverage |
| 1,219 × 914 | 48 × 36 | 10 | Beverage, shingles, packaged paper |
| 889 × 1,156 | 35 × 45.5 | Unknown | Military 1⁄2 ISO container, fits 36″ standard doors[6] |
| 2,240 × 2,740 | 88 ×108 | Unknown | Military air cargo (463L system) |
| 1,219 × 508 | 48 × 20 | Unknown | Retail |
European pallets
| EURO pallet type | Dimensions (W × L × D) | ISO pallet alternative |
| EUR EUR 1 | 800 mm × 1,200 mm × 145 mm 31.50 in × 47.24 in × 5.71 in | ISO1, same size as EUR. The pallet weight is 20 – 25 kg. Weight of a load: 2490 kg. |
| EUR 2 | 1,200 mm × 1,000 mm × 144 mm 47.24 in × 39.37 in × 5.67 in | ISO2. The pallet weight is 33 kg. Weight of a load: 1470 kg. |
| EUR 3 | 1,000 mm × 1,200 mm × 144 mm 39.37 in × 47.24 in × 5.67 in | The pallet weight is 29 kg. Weight of a load of 1920 kg. |
| EUR 6 | 800 mm × 600 mm × 144 mm 31.50 in × 23.62 in × 5.67 in | ISO0, half the size of EUR. The pallet weight is 9.5 kg. Weight of the safe load: 500 kg. |
| 600 mm × 400 mm 23.62 in × 15.75 in | quarter the size of EUR | |
| 400 mm × 300 mm 15.75 in × 11.81 in | one-eighth the size of EUR |
About Container
This standardization of shipping container dimensions made a substantial global impact on world trade. It allowed manufacturers to load goods at their factories and ship directly to stores and warehouses without having to unload and transfer their cargo along the way. This meant that manufacturing processes could be located far away from customers but still provide customers with an unimaginable variety of low-cost goods from across the globe.
ISO standard containers have been customized to meet the demands of exporters and importers in international trade. With 12 different ocean shipping container types and a variety of sizes to choose from within those types, it’s possible to ship everything from bulk grains and raw materials to perishable commodities.
For container dimension, most commonly, there are following 4 types, and the following image shows the general information.
| Container Size | Maximum Capacity | Dimensions (feet / meters) | Door Height |
| 20ft | 28 cbm (stretch to 29) | Length: 19.5″/5.919 m Width: 7.8″/2.340 m Height: 7.9 ½”/2.380 m | 7.5 ½”/ 2.278 m |
| 40ft | 58 cbm (stretch to 59) | Length: 39.6 ½”/12.051 m Width: 7.8″/2.340 m Height: 7.9 ½”/2.380 m | 7.5 ½”/ 2.278 m |
| 40HQ (high cube) | 65 cbm (stretch to 68) | Length: 39.6 ½”/12.051 m Width: 7.8″/2.340 m Height: 8.5 ½”/2.684 m | 8.5 ¾”/ 2.585 m |
| 45HQ (high cube) | 75 cbm (stretch to 80) | Length: 45″/13.716 m Width: 8″/2.438 m Height: 9.6 “/2.896 m | 8.5 ¾”/ 2.585 m |
So how many pallets fit in a container?
In ocean freight shipping, shipping pallets should ideally pack tightly into a shipping container, and it mostly depends on pallet type, the number of pallets you will be able to load into a container.
Packing your pallets for optimal container shipping
Cardboard boxes or cargo should not stick out beyond the pallet. This creates an impediment to pallet arrangement.
Stack your cargo properly. Improperly stacked goods on a pallet could result in damages when pallets are handled or closely loaded together.
Use cling wrap or plastic scraps to secure your shipment. This prevents damage and shifting.
While container loading usually tries to minimize the waste of floor space, you might have to take total weight into account in some cases. A shipment of light goods could possibly be arranged in two tiers within the container. On the contrary, if your loaded pallets are heavy, you might have to reduce the number per container so as not to exceed a certain weight. This could be the case if a container is routed in transit by truck and needs to meet a road weight limit.
Pick your pallets accordingly
The most suitable pallet for your container shipment depends on your supplier and the markets involved. The following factors determine how many pallets you can fit into a standard container.
- Pallet loading height: What is the height of your product after it’s stacked onto the pallets? This depends on product size and weight and influences the possible loading of tiers in your container. Clarify the loading height of your pallets with your product supplier or manufacturer.
- Load weight: This must be considered for heavy pallets since their weight may reduce the maximum number of pallets allowed per container. Keep load and road weight limits in mind.
- Container space: The pallet arrangement within a 20- or 40-foot container should maximize the use of space in three dimensions. At the same time, the distribution should ensure efficient loading and unloading while minimizing potential damages. Your shipping and loading agent will assist you with the best pallet arrangement for your container.
- Unloading requirements: Factor in the needs of your customer or final recipient of your shipment, especially if they are in charge of unloading your shipping container. They might have limitations on loading height, tiered loading, or preferential pallet arrangement within the container. Passage through buildings and doorways, as well as onward routing, may also be an issue.
20ft containers can fit 10 Standard Pallets and 11 Euro Pallets.
Take the standard pallet (1200 x 1000 m) as an example.
How do we know 1 40 ft/hc can fill how many sets of toys in a pallet?
For example The pallet size is 120 x100 x 15 cm; the carton size is 46 x 36 x 25 cm; the inner size of 40HC is 1200 x 230 x 269 cm; 6 sets per carton; we must leave 10 cm space height. So the most carton of 1 pallet suitable in it is 60 cartons, and 1 40 HC can fit 22 pallets. Then a total of 22 pallets x 60 cartons x 6 sets/ctn = 7920 sets.
Below is some regular data about pallet numbers for 1 container.
Pallet Size: 800 x 1200 mm
Shipping specifications ( internal dimensions )
Number of pallets for container 20ft (2.33 mx5.918m) 11 pcs
Number of pallets for container 40ft (2.33 mx12.015m) 25 pcs
Number of pallets for container 45HQ 33 pcs
Pallet Size: 1000 x 1200 mm
Shipping specifications ( internal dimensions )
Number of pallets for container 20ft (2.33 mx5.918m) 9 pcs
Number of pallets for container 40ft (2.33 mx12.015m) 22 pcs
Number of pallets for container 45HQ 26 pcs
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