EUR-pallet
The EUR-pallet, also called the EPAL-pallet, is the standard European wooden pallet used for cross-border exchanges and pallet pooling. It measures 800 mm by 1,200 mm and is 144 mm high. It is a four-way pallet, built from dry wood with a fixed pattern of 78 nails, and the finished pallet weighs about 20–25 kg.
Load and strength: A EUR-pallet can safely carry up to 1,500 kg of goods. When pallets are stacked in a stack or rack, the total load can reach up to about 4,000 kg. The pallet itself is typically in the 20–25 kg range, and the loading limits depend on even distribution and stacking.
Origins and history: The Euro-pallet system dates back to 1961, when European railways (UIC) standardized a common pallet type. It was developed by Ivar and Tore Svensson of Sweden. The system greatly sped up loading and unloading in railcars and later spread to trucks, warehouses, and stores.
Pallet pooling and quality: With the pallet-for-pallet approach, exchanges are organized so the same number of Euro-pallets are returned with shipments. The EPAL association later took charge of safety and quality. Since 2016, EPAL has overseen the standard and certified licensees to use the EUR/EPAL marks.
Global use: The EUR-pallet is still the most common pallet type in the world, with hundreds of millions in circulation (roughly 350–500 million). It remains popular because its 800 mm width fits through standard doors and many European loading and storage systems are built around it. However, globalization has reduced its dominance in some intermodal and ISO-container contexts.
Derivatives and sizes: In addition to the standard EUR-1 pallet, there are EUR-2 and EUR-3 pallets (both 1,200 mm by 1,000 mm). The EUR-6 pallet is a smaller 600 mm by 800 mm size used in retail. ISO standards exist for these variants.
Containers and intermodal use: To fit EUR-pallets, intermodal containers have been designed wider—known as pallet-wide containers. These typically have an internal width around 2,440 mm to allow two 1,200 mm pallets to load side by side. The 45-foot pallet-wide high-cube container is widely used in Europe for sea and rail transport.
Quality marks and standards: EUR-pallets use a specific 78-nail construction and must be made from dry wood. They carry quality marks, and used pallets are classified into quality levels to standardize swaps in the pool.
Other notes: The system is supported by national and European bodies that repair or retire damaged pallets and ensure consistency across the pool. The design and licensing help maintain safety and reliability across cross-border shipments.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:53 (CET).