There is no single world pallet. Europe uses 1200 × 800 mm (Euro pallet) and 1200 × 1000 mm, North America 1219 × 1016 mm (48 × 40 in), Japan and Korea 1100 × 1100 mm, China mainly 1200 × 1000 mm, and Australia 1165 × 1165 mm. Russia and the CIS standardize on 1200 × 800 and 1200 × 1000 mm. Many of these formats appear in ISO 6780, but a large share of the world's pallets are still non-standard.
Overview by region
| Region / country | Dominant footprint(s), mm | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (EU, EFTA) | 1200 × 800; 1200 × 1000 | Euro pallet (EPAL 1) in open exchange; 1200 × 1000 for industry, chemicals and drinks |
| United Kingdom | 1200 × 1000 | Euro pallets common for EU trade; see the UK guide |
| North America (US, Canada, Mexico) | 1219 × 1016 (48 × 40 in) | GMA pallet; stringer construction dominates |
| Russia, CIS | 1200 × 800; 1200 × 1000 | GOST 33757-2016 also defines 1200 × 1600 and 1200 × 1800 mm |
| Japan | 1100 × 1100 | "Type 11" pallet, 144 mm high |
| South Korea | 1100 × 1100; 1200 × 1000 | Type 11 predominant in production |
| China | 1200 × 1000 | Type 12; many custom sizes in domestic trade |
| Australia | 1165 × 1165 | Square standard pallet; some sources quote 1140 × 1140 mm |
| Latin America (Brazil) | 1000 × 1200; 800 × 1200 | Local variations |
| Middle East, Africa | varies | Follows trading partner; many custom pallets |
The table gives dominant formats, not exclusive ones. Within every country industries use their own sizes, for example chemical pallets, beverage crates, automotive and retail display formats. Importing and exporting companies should always confirm the pallet size with the consignee.
Region by region
Europe
Two footprints dominate: the 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet and the 1200 × 1000 mm pallet. The Euro pallet is the pool pallet of the open exchange system and fits 33 per trailer in one layer; details are in the Euro pallet guide. The 1200 × 1000 mm format is used in industries such as chemicals and by the UK; see the 1200 × 1000 mm industrial pallet. Retail-ready display formats of 800 × 600 and 600 × 400 mm complement them. Britain's specifics, including pallet network bands, are in UK pallet sizes. For Türkiye, see the Turkish pallet standard.
North America
The 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm) pallet is the most common domestic footprint. Even so, it is not universal: a Virginia Tech white paper on wooden pallets reported that 48 × 40 pallets make up about 24% of US pallets, while custom configurations were about 57%. Pallets are mostly stringer pallets, though the share of block pallets has grown. The format and its grades are described in the GMA 48 × 40 pallet.
Asia
The 1100 × 1100 mm square pallet is the best-known Asian format. Japan's "Type 11" pallet is 1100 × 1100 × 144 mm, with a stated maximum working load of 1 tonne, and is made from wood or plastic. Korea also favors Type 11, but uses 1200 × 1000 mm variants too. China primarily produces the "Type 12" pallet of 1200 × 1000 mm. The APSF has proposed Type 11 and Type 12 as the Asian standard pallets in its APSF Standard-001 and -002, according to a Japanese government document. Details are in the Asian 1100 pallet and Chinese pallet standards.
Australia and Oceania
Australia uses a 1165 × 1165 mm square pallet, which according to Wikipedia dates back to the Second World War and predates ISO container standards. Other sources report the Australian size as 1140 × 1140 mm; the 1165 mm figure is the one in the ISO 6780 listing. See the Australian pallet.
Russia and the CIS
Russian and CIS pallets follow GOST 33757-2016, which replaced GOST 9078-84 and GOST 9557-87 and keeps the 1200 × 800 and 1200 × 1000 mm footprints as the main formats. See Russian and CIS pallet standards.
Latin America, the Middle East and Africa
In Brazil, 1000 × 1200 mm and 800 × 1200 mm pallets are commonly cited. In the Middle East and Africa, pallet use depends on the trading partner and local infrastructure, and custom pallets are frequent. In practice, goods arrive on European, North American or Asian pallets depending on origin, and receiving warehouses often handle several sizes. Reliable data on market shares in these regions is scarce, so exporters should clarify the receiving pallet format and racking before shipping.
ISO 6780 and the overlap
ISO 6780 recognizes six sizes: 1200 × 800, 1200 × 1000, 1219 × 1016, 1165 × 1165, 1067 × 1067 and 1100 × 1100 mm. Most regional standards in the table above come from this list; the 1067 × 1067 mm (42 × 42 in) pallet appears in North America, Europe and Asia. See ISO 6780: the six international pallet sizes.
How to choose when shipping internationally
- Ask the consignee for the pallet size and height limit of its racks and trucks.
- Check container loading. The footprint determines how many pallets fit in a 20 ft or 40 ft container, and the best option depends on whether the pallet can be turned.
- Mind ISPM 15. Solid-wood pallets crossing borders need treatment and marking.
- Consider the pool. Exchange or rental pools may require specific sizes.
- Accept compromise. Some exporters use a footprint that suits several destinations, such as 1200 × 1000 mm.
For more on selection see how to choose the right pallet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard pallet size in Europe?
The 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet (EPAL 1) is the most recognized, alongside the 1200 × 1000 mm pallet used by industry and in the UK.
What is the standard pallet size in the USA?
48 × 40 inches (1219 × 1016 mm), often called the GMA pallet.
Which pallet size is used in Japan and China?
Japan mainly uses the 1100 × 1100 mm Type 11 pallet, while China primarily produces 1200 × 1000 mm pallets.
Is there a global standard pallet?
No. ISO 6780 lists six sizes in use around the world, and many pallets are custom sizes.
Sources
- Pallet specifications — UN Logistics Cluster
- Pallet — Wikipedia
- Pallet standards in different regions around the world — TechBullion
- International Pallet Sizes: What Does the Future Suggest? — Pallet Enterprise
- Pallet standardization in Asia (Japanese government document) — Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan
- The Basics of Wooden Pallets — Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
- ISO 6780:2003 — UNE