UK Pallet Size Guide Standard & Oversized

Before sending your goods, it’s important to respect that nothing affects the price of a pallet shipping more than its footprint.

Various Delivery Options

 When looking for a pallet delivery service, consideration should be taken to pallet particulars to enable the successful shipping of a pallet whilst opening the possibilities to various delivery options, without impacting on achieving a great price.

 

Ship Using Pallets

 Pallet shipping isn’t often thought of by SMEs who are used to sending parcels, but it can be the perfect transportation solution for the smaller businesses looking to send lower quantities than expected, but larger quantities than usual .

 

Quick & Easy Shipments

 Historically used by larger companies sending bulk loads to warehouses around the country, palletising consignments allows you to transport heavy goods and large quantities of grouped stock in quick, easy shipments whilst keeping them in perfect condition.

 

Minimum Fuss

 We take a look at how understanding the size of your pallet is essential to enable pallet delivery companies to accurately identify and cater to your requirements.

 For those who are just looking to get pallet shipping sorted with minimum fuss, there’s usually a million questions whizzing through their mind and it can be daunting if you’re not used to supply chain technicalities and terminology.

 

All Shapes & Size

 Pallets come in all shapes, sizes and materials, and is important to choose good wood quality.

 The pallet is a structural bed for transportation and storage, and is perfect for larger shipments.

 Made with FLT handling in mind, pallets typically display a four-way entry point made for ease of forklift movement, but they can also be handled using manual and power assisted pump trucks.

 

Durable & Secure

 Pallets are usually made of wood, but can come in plastic material for a durable option with longevity.

 When they are stacked and assembled with products, they appear in a variety of final forms, from column to brick stacked.

 All palletised movements should be shrink wrapped to secure the load and avoid damage whilst in transit or handling.

Pallet Size Guide

Find out which service you need to book by comparing the weight and measurements of your fully loaded pallet to our handy guide below.

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Need help calculating the dimensions of your loaded pallet? We've built a useful tool just for this...

Size Does Matter!

Recognising the size of your pallet is essential to conveying your pallet shipping needs to your distribution company, and there are different regulations relating to shipping within UK and Europe.

Standard UK Pallet Sizes

 For those who are just looking to get pallet shipping sorted with minimum fuss, there’s usually a million questions whizzing through their mind on that first phone call, the foremost usually prompted by the call handler or online booking system: how big IS a pallet? What is a pallet in the UK? is usually the next question that quickly follows from the client. It can be daunting if you’re not used to supply chain technicalities and terminology.

A standard UK pallet is 120cm by 100cm and 220cm in height.

European Pallet Sizes

Pallet measures of standard pallet size differs according to geography; the UK standard size is 120cm by 100cm, whilst Euro pallet size is typically smaller, with standard pallet dimensions of 120cm by 80cm, although customers often confuse the Euro standard pallet with the UK pallet size.

 As it stands, the way UK and European pallet consignments are shipped and handled means no additional custom charges are incurred, and no additional documentation is required, although this could be subject to change in line with any post Brexit legislation.

 North American pallet sizes and similar locations will have different perimeter based sizes.

Pallet specifications

Considering the compliance requirements of your goods is also key to making sure you get your pallet shipping needs met, and the service runs smoothly.

There are a world of variations in relation to pallet specifications.

Pallet Sizes

The pallet height limit is an area to consider when you’re obtaining quotes.

    There are three standard heights of stacked pallets that are recognised by 3PL providers as part the standard UK pallet size:
  • Quarter Pallet
  • Half Pallet
  • Full Pallet

For a UK standard pallet, the maximum pallet height should not exceed the pallet height limit of 220cm when fully loaded, and the same goes for Euro pallets. To avoid any uncertainties, when calculating the pallet height, you should ensure the measurement is taken from the ground to the highest point of the stacked goods.

If you’re shipping globally, there are further variations in international standard sizes, therefore checking thoroughly before placing a freight forwarding request is advisable.

Pallet Weight

The weight of the product you’re shipping is also a crucial consideration.

    There are three standard weight grades recognised for UK standard pallets:
  • Grade 1 (holds around 1,000kg in weight)
  • Grade 2 (holds approximately 750kg)
  • Grade 3 (lightweight option holds between 200 – 500kg)

To enable safe carriage, pallet weight should not exceed a maximum of 1,000 kg on a grade 1 base.
Pallets are made in different weight bearing capacities, meaning the product weight should be accounted for when making the right selection for your load.

Often, sending palletised goods can be more cost-efficient than forking out for oversized parcel costs, as long as the right supplier and pallet type is selected.

 

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Questions & Answers
Wooden pallets will typically consist of three or four different stringers that can be used to support several deckboards, where goods are placed on top. When looking at a pallet size, the first number is the stringer length and the second is the deckboard length. Plus, square or nearly square pallets can help to prevent a load resist from tipping.

Two-way pallets are usually designed to be lifted by the deckboards. For American pallets, the standard 48x40 pallet size, or GMA pallet, has stringers of 48 inches plus deckboards of 40 inches, which was standardised by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

However, the standard UK pallet size is different and they are usually 120cm x 100cm.

UK standard pallets = 1200mm X 1000mm

The standard size UK is 1200 x 1000mm and is available in various pallet types and weight-bearing capacities. The UK pallet size can be widely used throughout the UK. When planning a pallet collection, search for 'pallet dimensions UK' or 'standard pallet size UK'. This will ensure that you are using the correct pallet size. The standard height of a UK pallet is 220cm.

Pallets are used in traditional freight shipping to protect your goods. Pallet shipping makes freight handling more efficient and helps to maximise trailer space. A UK pallet can be custom made, but there are some pallet sizes that are standard within the pallet shipping industry. The standard pallet size is 120cm x 100cm.
The standard pallet size is 48'' X 40'' (120cm x 100cm). Each deck board being 3'' (9cm) wide 5'' (0.8cm) thick.
The standard UK pallet size is 1200 x 1000mm. In terms of pallet measurements, UK pallets are available in a number of pallet types and weight capacities. UK sized pallets are extensively used throughout the UK and for export to Europe.

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