What Is a Pallet? Definition, Parts and Uses
A pallet is a flat, liftable platform that turns many items into one unit load. Learn the ISO definition, the main parts, materials, sizes and why pallets matter.
18 guides
Pallet Types & Basics
What pallets are, how they are built and how wood, plastic, metal and paper pallets compare.
- Pallet Types & Basics
- Pallet Sizes & Standards
- ISPM 15 & Phytosanitary Rules
- Timber & Lumber
- Pallet Manufacturing
- Pallet Machinery
- Logistics & Handling
- Pooling, Market & Trade
- Sustainability & Recycling
- Industrial Wood Packaging
History of the Pallet: From Skids to the Euro Pallet
How the pallet evolved from wooden skids and early forklifts to the 1961 UIC-standardized Euro pallet, EPAL, pooling systems and ISPM 15 rules.
Pallet Anatomy: Every Part of a Pallet Explained
Learn the name and function of every pallet part: deck boards, lead boards, stringers, blocks, stringerboards, notches, chamfers and fasteners.
Stringer vs Block Pallets: Differences and When to Use Each
Stringer pallets use continuous beams and are cheap to build; block pallets use nine blocks and allow four-way entry. Compare both designs.
Two-Way vs Four-Way Entry Pallets Explained
Two-way pallets admit forks from two sides, partial four-way pallets let forklifts enter on four, and full four-way pallets admit pallet jacks too.
Wood vs Plastic Pallets: Cost, Strength, Hygiene, Lifespan
Compare wood and plastic pallets on cost per trip, strength, hygiene, fire behavior, repair, recycling and ISPM 15 rules to see which suits you.
Plastic Pallets: Types, Materials and Applications
Plastic pallets are molded from HDPE or polypropylene by injection, rotational, thermoforming or foam processes. See types, uses and price drivers.
Steel and Aluminium Pallets: Uses, Weight and Lifespan
Steel and aluminium pallets handle heavy loads, heat, hygiene and automation where wood fails. See uses, weights, coatings and lifespan trade-offs.
Presswood (Moulded Wood) Pallets: Uses and Properties
Presswood pallets are molded from wood fibers and resin under heat and pressure. They nest, have no nails and sit outside ISPM 15 as processed wood.
Paper and Corrugated Cardboard Pallets: Uses and Limits
Paper pallets of corrugated board or honeycomb are light, recyclable and outside ISPM 15, ideal for air freight and one-way export but weak when damp.
Nestable, Rackable and Stackable Pallets Explained
What nestable, rackable and stackable pallets are, how their static, dynamic and racking load ratings differ, and how to pick the right design for your warehouse.
Display, Half and Quarter Pallets (800 x 600 and 600 x 400 mm)
Half pallets (800 x 600 mm), quarter pallets (600 x 400 mm) and display pallets explained: EPAL 6 and EPAL 7 specs, the Düsseldorf pallet, dollies and retail use.
One-Way vs Reusable (Multi-Trip) Pallets: Cost per Trip
One-way pallets are built cheap for a single trip; reusable pallets circulate many times. Compare cost per trip, closed vs open loops and pooling.
Skids vs Pallets: What's the Difference?
A skid has one deck on runners or feet, a pallet has top and bottom decks. See the construction, handling, uses and how freight carriers define them.
Slip Sheets: A Pallet Alternative Explained
Slip sheets are thin paper, plastic or fiberboard sheets that replace pallets under unit loads. See how push-pull handling works, savings and limits.
Pallet Load Capacity: Static, Dynamic and Racking Loads
A pallet has three load ratings: dynamic, static and racking. See what each means, EPAL values, ISO 8611 testing and why safety factors matter.
How to Choose the Right Pallet: A Buyer's Checklist
Choose a pallet by load, size, handling and racking, export rules, hygiene and loop type. A buyer's checklist with a cost-per-trip method.
How Much Does a Pallet Weigh? Weights by Type and Size
A Euro pallet weighs about 25 kg and a 48 × 40 in wood pallet 33–48 lb. Weights of EPAL, GMA, plastic and steel pallets and the effect of moisture.