A Guide to Standard UK and EUR Pallet Sizes
When shipping and handling goods, pallets provide a standardised and reliable format on which they are moved. Pallet sizes are designed to provide efficient packing and transportation.
Whether being moved with a pallet truck, stored in a warehouse, or loaded into an HGV or shipping container, understanding pallet dimensions is essential for smooth logistics movement and handling.
Being aware of standard pallet sizes is essential information. This guide covers standard UK and EUR pallet sizes.
What are the Standard Pallet Sizes?
Pallet Footprint
UK Standard Pallet: 1200 x 1000 mm (pallet height 150mm)
Commonly used across the UK.
EUR Standard Pallet: 1200 x 800 mm
Commonly used all over Europe.
Goods placed on these pallets must fit within the specified footprint. If goods extend beyond the edges, the pallet is classified as “oversized.” This standard footprint allows efficient storage along the horizontal plane or floor-space within HGV trailers, containers, and warehouse racks. This pallet footprint is also what the load bearing-capabilities of pallet trucks are designed around.
What is a GKN CHEP pallet?
CHEP pallets are a type of pallet that is widely used in supply chain and logistics operations. CHEP (Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool) is a company that specialises in pooling and managing pallets, crates and containers. These pallets are rented rather than owned. CHEP’s trademark heavy-duty pallets are blue they are supplied in both UK and EUR Standard Pallet sizes.
While the pallet footprint remains constant, the height and weight limits can vary. Different material handling equipment is available to meet the demands of each pallet type, from electric pallet trucks to stackers. Whether you need to handle UK, GKN CHEP or EUR pallets, there are customised solutions to suit every requirement.
Pallet Size and Weight
While the base size of a pallet remains constant, its height can vary. This affects its weight capacity.
There are three standard and most commonly used sizes:
- Full Pallet: Maximum height of 2.2 meters and weight of 1,200 kilograms.
- Half Pallet: Maximum height of 1.2 meters and weight of 500 kilograms.
- Quarter Pallet: Maximum height of 0.8 meters and weight of 250 kilograms.
Oversized Pallets
In some instances, the standard pallet sizes described won’t be able to sufficiently handle the goods being transported or stored. Large machinery or components or oversized consumer goods such as furniture are common examples. In these cases, the goods will be loaded on to an “oversized pallet”.
These pallets are bigger or heavier (or both) than the standard pallet sizes. This could mean a custom-made pallet with a larger than standard footprint, or it may mean a pallet load that is heavier than standard weight regulations.
Moving or storing oversized pallets is often troublesome. They are not efficient to store, are harder to unload or move (their loads may not fit on a regular pallet truck) and may need a customised pallet. For these reasons, oversized pallets almost always incur extra costs.
How Do Pallet Sizes Affect Pallet Handling?
When it comes to loading, moving and handling pallets in warehouses or storage facilities, the size of the pallet often does not have a huge effect.
The footprint of standard pallets are the same, which means the openings and notches for handling are also the same size. Whatever handling machines are used – whether it’s a pallet stacker, forklift, or electric pallet truck – are built to accommodate all standard sizes of pallet.
The multipurpose facilities of handling machines are one part of the efficiency enabled by the pallet sizing system, with many pieces of handling equipment also able to accommodate European-sized pallets.
In Conclusion
Understanding the different pallet sizes – UK and EUR – is crucial for optimised logistics, storage and materials handling processes. Selecting the appropriate pallet size and handling equipment ensures smoother operations, reduces costs, and enhances overall efficiency.
For more information on pallet handling equipment, or for help on safe pallet truck handling, get in touch with our team of experts here.