Euro Pallet Sizes
Full specifications for the EPAL EUR pallet family — the backbone of European logistics.
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What Is a Euro Pallet?
The Euro pallet, formally designated as the EUR pallet or EPAL pallet, is the standard shipping platform used across the European Union and much of the broader European Economic Area. Managed by the European Pallet Association (EPAL), this system defines several EUR pallet types, each with strict construction specifications, quality standards, and a branding and licensing framework designed to keep quality consistent across licensed manufacturers.
The most common Euro pallet is the EUR 1, measuring 1200×800 mm (approximately 47.24×31.50 inches). It is a four-way entry block pallet built from 11 boards, 9 blocks, and 78 nails, and it is one of the most widely used pallet designs in the world.
Unlike the North American GMA system, which is more of a de facto industry standard, the EUR pallet operates within a formalized exchange pool. Licensed EUR pallets can be exchanged one-for-one at any point in the supply chain — a full pallet is traded for an empty one — eliminating the need for pallet return logistics.
Complete EUR 1 Through EUR 6 Specifications
Each EUR designation serves a different logistics segment. The EUR 1 is the standard general-purpose pallet, while the others address specific cargo, container, or display requirements. The table below covers dimensions, weights, and load ratings for each size.
| Type | mm (L × W) | Inches | Height | Weight | Dynamic Load | Static Load | Racking Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR 1 | 1200 × 800 | 47.24 × 31.50 | 144 mm (5.67″) | 25 kg (55 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) | 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs) |
| EUR 2 | 1200 × 1000 | 47.24 × 39.37 | 162 mm (6.38″) | 33 kg (73 lbs) | 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) | 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs) |
| EUR 3 | 1000 × 1200 | 39.37 × 47.24 | 156 mm (6.14″) | 29 kg (64 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) | 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs) |
| EUR 6 | 800 × 600 | 31.50 × 23.62 | 144 mm (5.67″) | 9.5 kg (21 lbs) | 500 kg (1,102 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 500 kg (1,102 lbs) |
EUR 6 is the half-size pallet, often used for retail display. All the EUR pallets above use block construction with true 4-way fork entry. Figures are typical published values; confirm current specifications with EPAL or your supplier.
EUR 1 Construction in Detail
The EUR 1 pallet is a block pallet, meaning it uses nine solid wood blocks (three rows of three) as its support structure instead of the continuous stringers used in GMA pallets. Block construction enables true four-way forklift entry from any side without the notching required on stringer pallets, making block pallets faster to handle in high-throughput environments.
In all, a EUR 1 uses 11 boards, 9 blocks, and 78 nails of the type specified by EPAL. The boards must be free of bark, rot, and damage that would compromise structural integrity.
Official EUR pallets carry several marks on their blocks: the EPAL brand mark showing the pallet was made by a licensed producer, plus codes identifying the producer and the date of production. These markings are critical for the exchange pool system — pallets without proper stamps cannot be exchanged and are treated as one-way or white-wood pallets.
EPAL Quality Marks: How to Read Euro Pallet Stamps
Every authentic EUR pallet carries a specific set of branding marks burned or stamped into the wood blocks. These marks serve as quality marks, traceability codes, and pool membership indicators. Learning to read them is essential for quality inspection, pallet purchasing, and exchange pool participation. Exact positions and formats have changed over the years, so check EPAL’s current marking rules.
EPAL Oval Mark
The EPAL oval is the primary authentication mark. It indicates the pallet was manufactured or repaired by an EPAL-licensed facility. Pallets without valid marks cannot participate in the European exchange pool.
EUR Mark
The EUR mark comes from the original European railway pallet standard. Older pallets still in the pool may carry EUR marks rather than EPAL marks.
Producer Code
A code identifying the licensed manufacturer, which enables traceability back to the producer.
Production Year / Month
Indicates when the pallet was manufactured. Format varies by production period. This is useful for estimating pallet age.
Repair Mark
When a pallet is repaired by a licensed repair facility, a repair mark identifying the repairer is added. A pallet can be repaired repeatedly as long as it meets EPAL’s dimensional and structural criteria after each repair.
IPPC / ISPM-15 Mark
The wheat-sheaf IPPC symbol confirms the pallet wood has been treated in compliance with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15, usually by heat treatment (HT); methyl bromide (MB) is restricted in many countries. Needed for international shipments to countries that apply ISPM 15.
EUR Pallet Repair Standards and Requirements
One of the strengths of the EPAL system is its formalized repair protocol. Damaged pallets do not leave the pool permanently; instead, they are repaired by licensed facilities and returned to circulation. This extends the service life of EUR pallets and reduces waste.
Repair eligibility criteria: EPAL’s repair rules set out which damaged components may be replaced and the tolerances the pallet must meet afterward. Pallets beyond those limits are recycled rather than repaired.
Material requirements for repairs: Replacement boards and blocks must match the original specification, and replacement nails must be the EPAL-specified type. New components must meet EPAL’s wood quality rules on bark, stain, rot, insect damage, and knots.
Repair marking: After a successful repair, the licensed repairer adds a repair mark to the pallet, which provides traceability for the repair.
Quality audits: EPAL repair licensees are subject to quality audits, as production licensees are. Facilities that fail audits risk losing their repair license.
European Pallet Pooling Systems Comparison
Alongside the EPAL open exchange pool, several private pooling systems operate in Europe. Each has its own cost structure, quality levels, and coverage, so compare current terms directly with the pool operators.
| Feature | EPAL Open Pool | CHEP Europe | LPR (La Palette Rouge) | IPP Logipal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pool Type | Open exchange (one-for-one swap) | Closed rental (issue & return) | Closed rental | Closed rental |
| Pallet Color | Natural wood | Blue | Red | Natural wood / branded |
| Primary Size | 1200 × 800 mm | 1200 × 800 mm | 1200 × 800 mm | 1200 × 800 mm |
| Cost Model | Purchase pallet; exchange free | Per-issue rental fee + transfer fee | Per-issue rental fee | Per-issue rental fee |
EPAL Licensing Requirements
Manufacturing or repairing EUR pallets requires an EPAL license. Licensed producers undergo annual audits to verify compliance with construction specifications, wood quality standards, and nail type requirements. Only pallets produced by licensed manufacturers may carry the EUR and EPAL stamps.
Here is what applies to producers and repairers, plus the separate ISPM 15 mark for export:
Production License
Authorizes the manufacturer to build new EUR pallets from raw lumber. Requires suitable production equipment, quality control processes, and regular inspection by an independent auditor.
Repair License
Permits a facility to repair damaged EUR pallets and return them to the exchange pool. Repaired pallets must meet the same dimensional and structural standards as new pallets. Repair nails must be the same EPAL-specified type.
ISPM-15 Stamp
EUR pallets shipped to countries that apply ISPM 15 must also carry the IPPC treatment mark. For heat treatment, this confirms the wood has been heated to a core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes to eliminate wood-boring pests.
How to Detect Counterfeit Euro Pallets
Counterfeit EUR pallets, made by unlicensed producers and carrying copied EUR/EPAL markings, are a known problem in the European logistics market. They may not meet the quality and safety standards of genuine EPAL pallets. Using counterfeit pallets risks product damage, workplace injuries, and exchange pool rejection.
1. Check the EPAL Oval Mark Quality
Genuine EPAL marks are burned into the wood using a professional-grade branding iron. The oval should be crisp, evenly burned, and clearly legible. Counterfeit marks are often stamped with ink (which smudges and fades), hand-painted, or burned with a poorly made iron that produces blurry, uneven lettering. If the EPAL text is fuzzy, off-center within the oval, or inconsistent in depth, the pallet is likely counterfeit.
2. Verify the Producer Code
Every licensed EPAL producer has a unique numeric code. If you have doubts about a producer code, check it with EPAL. A code that does not match a licensed producer is a strong sign of a counterfeit.
3. Count the Nails
A genuine EUR 1 pallet has exactly 78 nails. Counterfeit pallets often use fewer nails to cut manufacturing costs. The nails should be spiral or ring-shank type. If you see smooth-shank nails, the pallet is either counterfeit or was poorly repaired.
4. Measure the Blocks
Genuine EUR 1 blocks are made to tight dimensional tolerances. Counterfeit pallets often use blocks that are slightly undersized (cheaper to produce) or cut from scrap wood with visible defects. Measure a few blocks and compare them with EPAL’s published dimensions.
5. Inspect Board Quality
Genuine EPAL boards must be free of bark, significant blue stain, rot, and worm damage, and are cut to tight dimensional tolerances. Counterfeit pallets frequently use rough-sawn boards of inconsistent thickness, boards with bark edges, or boards that are visibly thinner than the 22 mm standard.
6. Check Chamfered Edges
Genuine EUR 1 pallets have chamfered (beveled) edges on the top lead boards and bottom end boards. The chamfer helps fork tines slide under the pallet smoothly. Counterfeit pallets often lack chamfers or have rough, uneven bevels.
When Should You Use Euro Pallets?
Euro pallets are the right choice in several common scenarios. The most obvious is exporting goods to Europe. If your products are destined for a European warehouse, distribution center, or retail operation, shipping on EUR 1 pallets saves your customer the cost and labor of re-palletizing your goods onto local pallets upon arrival. European dock workers, forklifts, racking systems, and automated handling equipment are all sized for EUR 1 dimensions — arriving on a 48×40 GMA pallet means your goods may not fit standard European infrastructure.
Euro pallets also make sense when you participate in the EPAL exchange pool. Companies that trade within Europe can exchange loaded EUR pallets one-for-one at each transfer point, dramatically reducing empty pallet return logistics and simplifying pallet accounting. The pool effectively functions as a currency — one standard-quality EUR pallet equals one standard-quality EUR pallet, regardless of who manufactured it.
Some U.S. importers prefer Euro pallets for receiving goods from European suppliers. Rather than requiring the European shipper to re-palletize onto GMA pallets before export, the importer accepts EUR pallets and either uses them internally, resells them to other importers, or returns them to the EPAL pool through a licensed partner.
Finally, some domestic operations choose Euro pallets for their superior block construction. The nine-block design provides true four-way forklift entry, which can speed up handling in tight warehouse spaces where stringer pallets (which only allow full fork entry from two sides) create bottlenecks.
Euro Pallet vs American GMA Pallet
Two of the most widely used pallets in the world serve different markets. Here is a detailed side-by-side comparison.
| Attribute | EUR 1 (Euro) | GMA (48×40) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1200 × 800 mm | 1219 × 1016 mm |
| Footprint Area | 0.96 m² (10.33 sq ft) | 1.24 m² (13.33 sq ft) |
| Construction | Block (9 blocks) | Stringer (3 stringers) or block |
| Fork Entry | True 4-way | 4-way with notched stringers |
| Pallet Weight | 25 kg (55 lbs) | 15-22 kg (33-48 lbs) |
| Dynamic Load | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 1,134-1,270 kg (2,500-2,800 lbs) |
| Exchange Pool | Yes (EPAL licensed) | No formal pool |
| Quality Control | EPAL-audited annually | Manufacturer-dependent |
| Per 53' Trailer | 39 pallets on floor (by dimensions) | 30 pallets on floor (loaded turned) |
Need both sizes? You can request GMA and Euro-size pallets in a single quote request through SD Re Pallet. See our full comparison chart for additional standards.
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Whether you are exporting to Europe or receiving goods on European-standard pallets, tell us the sizes and quantities you need. We will pass your request to a partner supplier in our network, who can confirm new and recycled availability.
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