A pallet collar is a rectangular frame of four or six wooden boards joined by metal hinges that sits on top of a pallet and turns it into an open-topped box. Collars are stacked on top of each other to build the required height, typically in steps of 200 mm, and fold flat when empty. The most common size matches the 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet.
How a pallet collar is built
A standard wooden collar consists of two long and two short boards, usually planed softwood around 20 mm thick, connected at the corners by riveted, zinc-plated steel hinges. The hinges protrude slightly below the bottom edge of the boards. When one collar is placed on another, these protruding hinge parts locate against the collar underneath, so the stack stays aligned without separate fixings.
The base is an ordinary pallet, most often a EPAL Euro pallet. A wooden or plywood lid can close the top. Because the collar itself carries no floor, the pallet's load capacity and condition remain the limiting factors for the whole unit.
Four-hinge vs six-hinge collars
| Feature | 4-hinge collar | 6-hinge collar |
|---|---|---|
| Hinge positions | One at each corner | Corners plus the midpoint of each short side |
| Folded shape | Folds diagonally into a flat package | Folds into a flat package whose length equals the long side |
| Typical use | General storage, light to medium loads | Heavier parts, frequent handling, automated folding |
| Example weight (1200 × 800 × 200 mm, softwood) | about 9 kg | about 10 kg |
The weights are taken from published catalogue data for 20 mm softwood collars; actual mass depends on wood species, moisture content and board thickness.
Standard sizes and heights
Collars are made to match common ISO pallet footprints. The three sizes found in most catalogues correspond to the full Euro pallet, the half (Düsseldorf-format) pallet and the industrial pallet.
| Footprint | Matching pallet | Common collar heights |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 × 800 mm (47.2 × 31.5 in) | EUR / EPAL 1 | 200 mm; also 100, 300, 400 mm |
| 800 × 600 mm (31.5 × 23.6 in) | Half pallet | 200 mm |
| 1200 × 1000 mm (47.2 × 39.4 in) | Industrial pallet | 200 mm |
The 200 mm (7.9 in) height is the de facto standard, because it lets users add capacity in small steps. Taller single collars of 300 mm and 400 mm exist; at 400 mm a 20 mm softwood collar weighs roughly 20 kg, so manual handling becomes a factor. Plastic (HDPE) collars are also sold in the same footprints and weigh about 7–8 kg at 200 mm height.
What pallet collars are used for
Collars give a pallet walls where goods would otherwise slide off or could not be stacked. Typical applications include:
- Automotive and engineering: loose machined parts, castings and components moved between plants or stored beside production lines.
- Small parts and bulk items: fasteners, fittings and irregular items that cannot be stretch-wrapped into a stable load.
- Food and agriculture: root vegetables, onions and other produce, where wooden collars on a pallet act as a reusable bin.
- Spare-parts storage: a filled collar unit can be placed in pallet racking like any other pallet.
- Export shipments: collars form a quick, adjustable crate for mixed goods, often closed with a lid and strapped.
The main advantage is flexibility. Height can be adjusted collar by collar to match the actual volume of goods, and partially emptied units can be reduced by lifting off the top collar. Collars are also stackable as filled units when a lid or an upper pallet spreads the load, provided the contents themselves do not carry the stacking force.
Folding, storage and return logistics
Because a collar folds flat, empty collars occupy only a small fraction of the space of a rigid box. A stack of folded collars on a single pallet replaces many assembled units, which matters on return trips and in warehouses with limited floor area. This is the same logic behind reusable packaging systems: low empty volume makes multiple trips affordable.
Good practice for reuse:
- Inspect hinges after each trip; a bent or loose rivet stops the collar from locating properly on the one below.
- Replace cracked boards rather than reinforcing them with extra nails, which can split thin boards further.
- Store folded collars dry and off the floor, since 20 mm softwood takes up moisture quickly and can develop mould or blue stain.
- Keep collars of the same footprint and hinge type together; mixing manufacturers can lead to hinges that do not seat correctly.
Pallet collars and ISPM 15
Wooden collars made of solid sawn wood are wood packaging material under ISPM 15, the international phytosanitary standard of the IPPC. When used in international trade they must be debarked, treated (for example heat treated to at least 56 °C at the wood core for 30 continuous minutes) and carry the ISPM 15 mark. The pallet underneath and any solid wood lid need the same treatment and marking. Collars or lids made entirely of plywood, OSB or other processed wood are outside the scope of ISPM 15, as are plastic collars.
Many manufacturers supply collars heat treated and marked as standard, so the same stock can be used for domestic and export shipments.
Choosing and specifying collars
When ordering, specify:
- Footprint that exactly matches the pallet in use (a collar slightly larger than the pallet will overhang and catch on racking).
- Height per collar, and how many collars per pallet are normally stacked.
- Hinge type and count, especially if collars will be folded by automated equipment.
- Board thickness and species, which govern weight, stiffness and durability.
- Treatment and marking (ISPM 15 heat treatment, kiln drying for food or hygiene-sensitive goods).
- Accessories such as lids, dividers or hinged access flaps.
Price drivers are timber cost, board thickness, number and type of hinges, treatment and order volume. Comparing cost per trip, rather than unit price, gives a fairer picture when collars are reused many times.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard height of a pallet collar?
The most common height is 200 mm (7.9 in), measured as effective inside height. Collars of 100, 300 and 400 mm are also available, and several 200 mm collars can be stacked to reach the required height.
How many pallet collars can be stacked on one pallet?
There is no fixed number; it depends on the pallet's load capacity, the weight and stability of the contents, and the handling equipment. Users commonly stack two to four 200 mm collars on a Euro pallet, but the loaded unit must stay within the pallet's rated load and remain stable.
Do pallet collars need ISPM 15 treatment?
Yes, if they are made of solid sawn wood and travel internationally. Collars made only of plywood, OSB or plastic are not covered by ISPM 15.
What is the difference between 4-hinge and 6-hinge collars?
A 4-hinge collar has a hinge at each corner and folds diagonally. A 6-hinge collar adds a hinge in the middle of each short side, which lets it fold into a flat package as long as the pallet and generally handles heavier use.
Sources
- Pallet collar — Wikipedia
- Markets in Transition: Pallet Collars Offer Flexible Solution for Hard to Stack Unit Loads — Pallet Enterprise
- Wooden pallet collar with 4 hinges — Kaiserkraft
- Wooden pallet collar with 6 hinges — Kaiserkraft
- ISPM 15: Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade — International Plant Protection Convention