International Standards
If you're shipping products overseas, you need to know the pallet standards of your destination country. This guide covers ISO-recognized pallet sizes, European EPAL standards, regional standards across Asia, Australia, and South America, plus country-by-country requirements for 10 major trading partners, pallet exchange systems, and a complete export documentation checklist.
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International Pallet Sizes
| Standard | Dimensions | Region | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR / EPAL | 800 × 1200 mm (31.5" × 47.2") | Europe | 2,500 kg | The most common pallet in Europe. Managed by EPAL with strict quality controls and licensing. |
| EUR 2 | 1000 × 1200 mm (39.4" × 47.2") | Europe | 2,500 kg | Wider variant for industrial and chemical products. Common in UK and Scandinavia. |
| EUR 3 | 1000 × 1200 mm (39.4" × 47.2") | Europe | 1,500 kg | Half-pallet for retail display and smaller loads. |
| ISO 1 (EUR) | 800 × 1200 mm | Europe | 2,500 kg | ISO-recognized European standard. |
| ISO 2 (GMA) | 1000 × 1200 mm | N. America / Europe | 2,800 lbs | ISO-recognized North American/European standard. |
| ISO 3 | 1016 × 1219 mm (40" × 48") | North America | 2,800 lbs | GMA pallet recognized under ISO. |
| ISO 4 | 1100 × 1100 mm (43.3" × 43.3") | Asia / Pacific | 2,200 kg | Common in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. |
| ISO 5 | 1067 × 1067 mm (42" × 42") | N. America / Asia | 2,500 lbs | Used in telecom and some Asian markets. |
| ISO 6 | 1140 × 1140 mm (44.9" × 44.9") | Australia | 2,200 kg | Standard Australian pallet size, managed by CHEP. |
| Australian Standard | 1165 × 1165 mm (45.9" × 45.9") | Australia | 2,000 kg | The standard Australian pallet, slightly larger than ISO 6. |
| T11 (Japan) | 1100 × 1100 mm | Japan | 1,500 kg | Japan Pallet Association standard. Dominant in Japanese logistics. |
| CP Series (Chemical) | Various (CP1–CP9) | Global (Chemical) | Varies | Nine standardized sizes for the global chemical industry. CP1 (1000×1200) and CP3 (1140×1140) are most common. |
| KS T 1002 (Korea) | 1100 × 1100 mm | South Korea | 1,500 kg | Korean Industrial Standard pallet. Aligned with ISO 4 and Japanese T11 for regional compatibility. |
| Indian Standard | 1000 × 1200 mm | India | 1,500 kg | Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recommended size. Aligned with EUR 2 for European trade compatibility. |
Country-by-Country Requirements
Detailed pallet size preferences, ISPM-15 enforcement, and logistics notes for 10 major U.S. trading partners. Use this as a quick reference when planning international shipments from Tucson.
Mexico
48" × 40" (1016 × 1219 mm)ISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 required for all wood packaging. Mexico's SENASICA enforces phytosanitary regulations at all ports of entry. HT (heat treatment) is the standard method — methyl bromide is being phased out.
Logistics Notes
Mexico follows U.S. pallet standards closely due to USMCA trade integration. GMA 48×40 is the dominant size for cross-border shipments. Mexican customs may inspect and reject non-stamped pallets at the border.
Canada
48" × 40" (1016 × 1219 mm)ISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 required. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) enforces wood packaging regulations. Heat treatment to 56°C for 30 minutes is mandatory.
Logistics Notes
Canada uses identical pallet standards to the U.S. GMA 48×40 is universal across Canadian logistics. CHEP and PECO pooling programs operate seamlessly across the U.S.-Canada border.
European Union (27 members)
800 × 1200 mm (EUR/EPAL)ISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 mandatory for all wood packaging entering the EU. The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) coordinates enforcement across member states.
Logistics Notes
EUR/EPAL pallets dominate. The EPAL system is a standardized exchange pool — you can swap pallets 1:1 at any participating warehouse. Sending GMA (48×40) pallets to Europe is possible but creates compatibility problems with European racking, trailers, and exchange systems.
United Kingdom
1000 × 1200 mm (EUR 2) or 800 × 1200 mm (EUR 1)ISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 required post-Brexit. UK now enforces its own phytosanitary regulations separately from the EU through DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).
Logistics Notes
The UK uses a mix of EUR 1 and EUR 2 pallets. The wider 1000×1200 size is more common in UK grocery and retail. Post-Brexit, separate phytosanitary certificates may be needed for UK and EU shipments on the same route.
China
1100 × 1100 mm (ISO 4) or 1000 × 1200 mmISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 strictly enforced. China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) requires phytosanitary certificates and may fumigate non-compliant shipments at the importer's expense.
Logistics Notes
China is transitioning from mixed sizes to the 1100×1100 standard to align with Japan and South Korea. However, 1000×1200 is still widely used for European-origin goods. Plastic pallets are increasingly required for food imports.
Japan
1100 × 1100 mm (T11 / JPA Standard)ISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 required. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) enforces strict phytosanitary standards. Non-compliant pallets are either treated on arrival (at importer's cost) or destroyed.
Logistics Notes
The 1100×1100 T11 pallet is virtually universal in Japanese logistics. Sending non-standard sizes to Japan creates serious problems — Japanese warehouses, trucks, and racking are all designed for the T11 footprint. Plastic pallets preferred for food products.
Australia
1165 × 1165 mm (Australian Standard) or 1140 × 1140 mm (ISO 6)ISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 required. Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has some of the strictest biosecurity regulations in the world. Wood packaging is inspected at the port and must be bark-free.
Logistics Notes
CHEP dominates the Australian pallet market with the 1165×1165 blue pallet. Australia requires all wood packaging to be completely bark-free — even small bark traces trigger quarantine. Consider plastic or heat-treated hardwood pallets for Australian shipments.
Brazil
1000 × 1200 mm (PBR Standard)ISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 required. Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) enforces phytosanitary regulations. Inspection rates at Brazilian ports are higher than global averages.
Logistics Notes
The PBR (Palete Padrao Brasileiro) standard is 1000×1200 mm — aligned with the European EUR 2 size. This makes trade between Brazil and Europe relatively straightforward from a pallet perspective. The PBR pallet uses 4-way block construction.
India
1000 × 1200 mm (BIS Recommended)ISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 required. India's Directorate of Plant Protection enforces wood packaging regulations, though enforcement consistency varies by port.
Logistics Notes
India is standardizing on 1000×1200 to align with European trade partners. However, the Indian market still uses many non-standard sizes. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recommends 1000×1200 but compliance is not yet universal in domestic logistics.
South Korea
1100 × 1100 mm (KS T 1002)ISPM-15 Requirements
ISPM-15 required. Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) enforces wood packaging standards with high inspection rates.
Logistics Notes
South Korea uses the 1100×1100 standard, fully aligned with Japan's T11 and ISO 4. This regional standardization simplifies intra-Asian trade. Korean logistics infrastructure (racking, trailers, conveyors) is optimized for the 1100×1100 footprint.
ISPM-15 Requirement
Important: Nearly all countries require wood packaging materials (pallets, crates, dunnage) to be ISPM-15 compliant for international shipments. This means pallets must be heat-treated to 56°C core temperature for 30 minutes and stamped with the official HT mark.
Non-compliant shipments risk being rejected, quarantined, or destroyed at the destination port — at the shipper's expense. We provide ISPM-15 certified heat treatment at our Tucson facility.
Learn about our heat treatment service →Pallet Exchange Systems
International pallet pooling and exchange systems reduce waste, ensure quality, and simplify cross-border logistics. Understanding these systems helps you choose the right pallet strategy for global trade.
CHEP (Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool)
Blue palletsRental per trip. CHEP owns the pallets and manages collection, repair, and redistribution. The shipper pays an issue fee and a daily rental until the pallet is returned to CHEP.
EPAL (European Pallet Association)
EPAL-stamped wood palletsExchange system. EPAL pallets are traded 1-for-1 at the point of delivery. If you deliver 20 EPAL pallets of product, you take back 20 empty EPAL pallets. This creates a continuous loop without rental fees.
iGPS (Intelligent Global Pooling Systems)
Black plastic palletsRental per trip similar to CHEP, but using lightweight RFID-enabled plastic pallets. Plastic pallets are lighter (about 44 lbs vs 50+ lbs for CHEP wood), non-porous, and do not require ISPM-15 treatment.
PECO Pallet
Red palletsRental model similar to CHEP. PECO offers block-style pallets that are preferred for automated systems. PECO pallets are known for tight dimensional tolerances and reliable quality.
International Pallet Pricing
Pallet costs vary dramatically by region due to lumber availability, labor costs, environmental regulations, and pooling system fees. Here is what to expect when budgeting for international pallet logistics.
North America (USD)
$7 – $15 recycled, $12 – $25 new
Prices fluctuate with softwood lumber futures. Southern Yellow Pine and SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir) are the primary species. Heat treatment adds $1.50 – $3.00 per pallet.
Europe (EUR)
EUR 8 – EUR 20 new, EUR 5 – EUR 12 recycled
EPAL pallets command a premium due to quality standards and exchange value. Eastern European manufacturing has reduced new pallet costs in recent years.
Asia-Pacific (varies)
$5 – $18 USD equivalent
Costs vary widely. Japan and South Korea have higher pallet costs due to limited domestic lumber. Southeast Asian countries offer lower costs but shipping adds to total expense.
Latin America (varies)
$4 – $12 USD equivalent
Brazil and Mexico have competitive pallet prices due to abundant plantation timber. Transportation costs from Tucson to Mexican border facilities are relatively low.
Pooling Costs (per trip)
$4.50 – $8.00 per trip (CHEP/PECO/iGPS)
Pooling eliminates purchase cost but adds per-trip rental fees. Break-even vs. ownership depends on trip count, loss rate, and volume. High-volume shippers may find ownership cheaper.
Plastic Pallets (global)
$15 – $65 per pallet
Plastic pallets avoid ISPM-15 requirements entirely but have high upfront costs. They last 10+ years and are worth considering for closed-loop international supply chains.
Export Documentation Checklist
Before shipping pallets internationally, verify every item on this checklist. A single missing document or non-compliant pallet can delay your entire shipment at the destination port.
ISPM-15 Heat Treatment Certification
All wood packaging materials (pallets, crates, dunnage, blocking, bracing) must be heat-treated to 56°C core temperature for 30 minutes. The treatment must be performed by an IPPC-approved facility and the pallet must bear the official HT stamp.
IPPC Stamp / Mark
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) stamp must be permanently marked on at least two opposite sides of the pallet. The mark includes the IPPC logo, country code, producer number, and treatment type (HT for heat treatment). Stamps must be legible — faded or damaged stamps may be rejected.
Bark-Free Verification
Many countries (especially Australia and New Zealand) require wood packaging to be completely bark-free. Even small bark inclusions in the wood can trigger quarantine. Inspect pallets for bark before shipment.
Commercial Invoice
The commercial invoice must describe the goods and may need to reference the pallet type and treatment. Some countries require the invoice to state that wood packaging is ISPM-15 compliant.
Packing List
Include the number, dimensions, and weight of all pallets in the shipment. Customs authorities use this information to assess phytosanitary risk and calculate duties (some countries apply tariffs to packaging materials).
Phytosanitary Certificate (if required)
Some countries require a phytosanitary certificate issued by USDA APHIS (for U.S. exports) in addition to the ISPM-15 stamp. Check destination country requirements — Australia, China, and Brazil have been known to require additional documentation.
Country-Specific Documentation
Research your destination country's specific import requirements. The EU, UK (post-Brexit), and individual Asian countries may have unique documentation requirements beyond standard ISPM-15 compliance.
Destination Pallet Size Verification
Confirm that your pallet size is compatible with the destination country's logistics infrastructure. Sending GMA (48×40) pallets to Japan (1100×1100 standard) or Europe (800×1200 standard) creates handling problems at the receiving end.
Shipping Globally?
We build and heat-treat pallets to any international specification. From ISPM-15 certification to custom dimensions for European, Asian, and Australian markets — contact us for export-ready pallet solutions from Tucson.